Reading Notes: Autoethnography Essays

As you read the essays assigned for Tuesday's class (Aug. 29), please take some brief notes (typed, approx. half page for each) to help guide our class discussion and analysis. I will check these notes.

For each essay, note the following:

  1. Author, Title, & Topic
  2. What do you think is the author's purpose for writing? That is, what do you think s/he wants readers to take away from the essay?
  3. What did you take away from the essay? That is, what particularly stood out for you, what did you learn about yourself, the author, and/or the culture(s) being described?
  4. How does the author position himself/herself in relation to the culture being described? As an insider? a newcomer? an outside observer? Quote a few sentences/phrases that help you identify the author's location.
  5. What specific details of "thick description" particularly stood out for you as you read? Quote a few sections.
  6. How would you describe the author's organization and presentation of the culture described? (e.g., compare/contrast, narrative, etc.)
  7. Questions that came to mind as you read.