Dual Credit English 12B/102
Ethnography Requirements
Directions: You will be writing an ethnography paper, which is a definition essay.
Definition essays explain what something or someone is by identifying the
essential nature of that thing or person. In order to write your ethnography, you
will be introduced to definition as a writing pattern. Ethnography is the scientific
study and description of people and cultures.
Ensure you work through the lessons in their entirety. More detailed information
and directions are presented in your lessons.
Purpose
Ethnography is a method of inquiry that explores and defines a particular subculture in
society. It involves working with subgroups to identify their relationship to the larger
culture, their particular identifying characteristics and traits (artifacts, rituals, and
"insider" language), and the means by which members and/or outsiders define
themselves as part of the particular subgroup/subculture.
Tasks to Complete Your Paper
 Select a topic.
o You'll need to avoid any groups where you have possible conflicts of
interest. When we're too close to the subject matter, it's hard to see it
objectively. If it's your workplace, your parents' business, your sister's
classroom, your boyfriend's team, the JV basketball players (when you're
on varsity), and so on, then the group will not work.
 Complete all pre-work.
 Conduct field research and interviews on your subculture.
o You will need to complete four hours of field notes. You will turn in two
separate assignments consisting of two hours of field notes each. You will
need to turn in your interview questions as well as your interview
transcripts. You will need to interview three separate members of your
subgroup.
 Complete observations and outside research.
 Write your rough draft and submit it to the discussion board for peer editing.
o It is imperative you complete this on time in order to receive timely
feedback.


Peer edit for two of your classmates.
Submit your final draft.
o Make sure it is in MLA formatting, including title, font, heading, and
header.
o Citations must be included for the outside research. Cite correctly!
o Insert any graphics that are appropriate into the paper. Graphics are not
required. Also, make any doc design changes.
o For interviews, you don't need to have in-text citations for individuals.
o But DO put the interview on the Works Cited page, which is a separate
page. See OWL for set-up.
o Double check your dialogue--paragraphing, indentation, quotation marks,
punctuation, etc.
Requirements
 Rough Draft with MLA style format and citation.
 Final Draft of 9-11 complete pages, MLA style format and citation.
 Clear thesis based on a pattern/idea observed (what theme encompasses your
group?).
 Consultation and citation of outside sources to back up or expand on your group.
 Appropriate use of first person (not overdone) as you narrate your group’s
activities. Avoid overly announcing what you are doing (ie. “I asked him in the
interview and he answered my question…” or “I asked if I could observe them” or
“I did not know what group to pick, then I remembered this one!”).
 Works Cited page, including outside sources and personal interviews, in proper
MLA format.
Rubric
Review the rubric below to determine how you will be graded.
Criteria
Pages
A
50 pts.
9-10 fully
developed
pages
B
40 pts.
7-8 fully
developed
pages
C
30 pts.
5-6 fully
developed
pages
Thesis
50 pts.
Clear thesis
based on a
pattern or idea
observed
Background
Details
50 pts.
Adequate
background as
we discuss:
Artifacts
Rituals
40 pts.
Clear thesis but
development
doesn’t stay
focused on the
thesis
40 pts.
Includes a
discussion of 4
out of the 5
areas: artifacts,
rituals, inside
30 pts.
I can guess at
the thesis
based on your
points, but it
isn’t clear.
30 pts.
Includes a
discussion of
2-3 of the 5
areas
F
25 pts.
Does not
sufficiently
discuss the
subculture
25 pts.
No clear thesis
or pattern
25 pts.
Does not
sufficiently
address the
background
details that set
Introduction
Conclusion
Transitions
Inside
language
(even if not
obviously
identified as
such)
Outside
sources used
WELL. Clearly
belong and
add to the
content.
Characters—a
variety of
people come to
life, not just a
handful. Have
names or
pseudonyms.
Physical,
personality,
mannerisms,
backgrounds
come to life—
you include a
sense of who
they are
50 pts.
Compelling
introduction,
flows right into
next paragraph
language,
outside
sources,
characters
50 pts.
Conclusion
gives closure
and is
interesting:
quotes,
anecdotes,
musings
50 pts.
Clear and
creative
transitions from
idea to idea—
doesn’t lose
the reader
40 pts.
Conclusion
wraps things up
and reiterates
the thesis
40 pts.
Includes a clear
introduction that
connects to the
ideas in the
essay
40 pts.
Clear
transitions, but
they are not
overly creative
Transitions
might be largely
based in time
the subculture
apart
30 pts.
Introduction
dives right into
the content
without setting
the scene for
the reader
30 pts.
Conclusion
ends the
paper, but
does not
connect back
to the thesis
25 pts.
No clear
introduction
30 pts.
Some
transitions
used, but more
were needed
to guide the
reader
25 pts.
Choppy flow
with no
transitions
25 pts.
No clear
conclusion
Voice
Sentence
Fluency
50 pts.
Does not
excessively
announce what
you’re doing
and why (“in
my interview”,
etc.)
Do you admit
with ease and
honesty? Do
you avoid or
deal with bias?
Their reaction
to your
presence, your
involvement
Your
assumptions
and prior
experiences
Precise words,
no misuses,
advanced and
natural
vocabulary,
sense of
humor used—
an eye for
irony, humor,
tender
moments
Not afraid to
use I when
needed, but
DOESN’T
overuse it
LOTS of
sensory detail:
there is much
that the reader
can see, hear
taste, smell
Doesn’t leave
out
opportunities to
make the
scene come
alive!
50 pts.
40 pts.
Minimal
announcements
of what you are
doing
30 pts.
Overused I
Didn’t deal with
bias,
assumptions,
or prior
experiences
effectively
25 pts.
Is this about
you or the
subculture? It
sounds like it is
about you…
40 pts.
30 pts.
25 pts.
Conventions
Works Cited
Page
MLA
Formatting
No mistakes +
you have a
nice rhythm
with words:
variety in
length and
beginnings
50 pts.
Very few errors
in spelling,
punctuation,
apostrophes,
capitalization,
etc.
34 pts.
MLA style
adhered to,
shows student
fixed mistakes
that had been
pointed out in
research
assignments.
16 pts.
MLA formatting
followed with
margins,
header,
heading, title,
font, spacing,
etc. for the
body of the
paper
Almost no
mistakes, but
sentences can
sound plain or
awkward –
lacks
“musicality”
40 pts.
A handful of
errors that more
careful editing
would have
caught
Many mistakes
with comma
splices,
dropped
quotes, runons, and
fragments
30 pts.
I’m beginning
to stop marking
all the errors I
find…there are
too many
28 pts.
Student made
attempt to get
MLA format
correct, but had
numerous
errors
21 pts.
No attempt to
use MLA
format, but
does list
sources
13 pts.
2-3 elements
incorrect
10 pts.
Multiple MLA
format errors
Shows lack of
awareness
concerning
proper
sentence
structure
25 pts.
This looks like
you wrote it
down once and
never looked
over anything
again
17 pts.
No Works
Cited page
8 pts.
No attempt to
use MLA
format