WRITING YOUR PAPER
It is a good idea to organize your paper into the following sections and to mark the sections with
subtitles.
A. Introduction: The purpose of the introduction is to raise the general issue or problem for
discussion. For instance, you might ask, “How is it that people find spouses in urban society?,”
“How do Americans signal their irritation with one another in situations where open conflict is not
acceptable?” “How do Hispanic or Latino young people identify with their own ethnic groups when
they do not speak Spanish?”, or “How do homeless people cope with the pressure they get from the
police?” Think of the most interesting finding of your study and ask it as a question here.
Secondly, you must answer your own question right in the introduction! Do this in a sentence or
two and then tell the reader that you are going to support your answer with observation and
interview data from such-and-such a setting.
B. Methods: Describe the manner in which you have collected the data. Include a report of the
interviews you have done, sites you have visited, books or articles you have read, etc. Remember
that you are doing the research for this paper as an investigative reporter would.
C. Description: The description includes the setting, the actors and the action that you observed, as
well as the results of all interviews and library readings. It is the data that will support your thesis,
or answer the question raised in the introduction. This is the easiest section to write, but it must not
use up too much space. So describe in as much detail as you can, but only include the data that is
relevant to your point. If at all possible, include quotes from interviews, and interpret each quote
you include to explain its deep meaning.
D. Analysis: This part is very important. Tell the reader what you, as the observer think was the
true significance of what was happening in the setting you observed. Ask yourself the question,
“What have I learned about this culture from this material/data?” In your discussion, include
anthropological concepts from class or readings, and try to come up with a single bottom line point
to make.
E. Cross-Cultural Comparison: Now move the discussion to the global level. Compare the point
you have just made with how things are done in at least one other culture based on class readings
and discussions. (If necessary, read ahead in the books to find an appropriate situation.) Feel free to
speculate at the largest level here! As much as possible, try to think like an anthropologist!
F. Conclusion: This can be quite short. Simply repeat the original question and the answer you
have given in summary form. Also summarize the major significance of your findings (i.e. answer
the “Who cares?” question). If you wish, raise speculative questions for future research.
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