ENGL 1150: Ethnography Paper Instructions

Task: Write an ethnography paper, a persuasive essay based on the findings of your field research.

Topic: You must come up with a topic that falls under the broad topic of “Naming.” Below are some topic suggestions. Feel free to use one of those, or come up with your own that it is a similar vein.

Topic Suggestions:

·  People today seem very interested in their “roots.” For example, Ancestry.com has over 2 million paid subscribers, all people trying to find out information about their ancestors. So do people feel equally tied to their names? Do they look at their name as a bond with their roots?

·  In an article posted on CNN’s website on 8/28/09, “Can your name keep you from getting hired?” the author interviews people who are pretty sure they’re being discriminated against because of their name (racial, ethnic, and gender discrimination, but also because their name is hard to pronounce). Are people discriminated against because of their name?

·  Another article on the Internet, “Can Your Name Spell Success?” talks about several research studies that show prejudice against names simply because of their connotation. Do people associate certain types of people with certain names? (Is “Sheldon” thought of as a nerd and “Bertha” thought of as fat? Is “Tom Cruise” always strong and macho? Is “Whoopi” always funny?)

·  People change their names for many reasons. Why do some people go to all the trouble to change their names?

·  Here in Toledo, the Mud Hens used to have an old, wooden stadium in Maumee. It was called the Ned Skeldon Stadium as a tribute to the man who was instrumental in promoting the Mud Hens to their current status. When the Mud Hens moved to their new stadium downtown, it was named the Fifth-Third Field in honor of the bank that wrote them a big check. Is that how naming of public structures should work (and bowl games!)

·  According to an article in USA Today (4/18/02), over 80% of women dropped their last name when they married and took their husband’s instead. Why do so many women do this?

·  In recent years, there’s been a real push to get sports teams to drop their Native American names and logos. (In fact, in 2005, the NCAA ruled that any college with a Native American name or mascot or logo would not be allowed to host NCAA tournaments.) Most teams, high school, college, and pro, have changed their names, but some haven’t (for example, the Cleveland Indians). Are these teams being offensive to Native Americans? Should they change?

Reminders/ Advice:

·  One important reminder is that the quality of your argument will depend on the quality of your field research. So do a good job on those interviews! (See Field Research Planning Guide)

·  Remember that this is an essay. So think about all the essay things we’ve talked about this semester and that you talked about in your Comp I class: engaging titles and openings, good thesis, smooth integration of field research, lots of detailed descriptions and stories, thoughtful conclusion.

·  One mistake people sometimes make with an ethnography paper is to think that their task is to simply transmit the field research, and they turn in basically a transcript of their interviews. No! You’re using what you found out to help support your thesis.

·  In addition to the field research, you can also use yourself as evidence (your stories).

·  Do not do any secondary research for this paper (Internet research). The only research you are allowed to do is field research.

·  As with any written communication, this assignment should be proofread carefully. Shoot for zero errors because errors distract the reader from your message AND hurt your credibility.

·  The minimum length for your ethnography is four full pages of text. There is no maximum length.

·  All drafts (rough and final) should be typed in MLA typing format and double-spaced.

Ethnography Paper Due Date Reminders:

Wed 2/13: RD is due today for Peer Review and to turn in for Instructor Review. You can bring a paper copy for both peer and instructor review. Or you can bring a copy saved on your laptop. (If you use an electronic copy, make sure you email it to me for Instructor Review by 9:30 AM!)

The final draft of the Ethnography Paper is due at the end of the semester in your portfolio. The absolute deadline is Monday 4/29/13 at 5 PM. Don’t miss the deadline!


The final draft can be printed and turned in as a paper copy. Or you can email it as a Word at