Instructions: The Purpose Of Your Verbal Portrait Is To

Instructionspurposethe Purpose Of Your Verbal Portrait Is To Add A Ne

The purpose of your Verbal Portrait is to add a new layer to your understanding of the subculture you are researching. What else do you want to know about your subculture? What stone have you left unturned? Writing your Verbal Portrait: You have researched your subculture in layers. First, you began with a general snapshot of your fieldsite—the proposal. Then, you conducted observations of space and place. Last week you turned your attention towards examining cultural artifacts. Your latest layer was an in-depth interview with an informant. Soon—in a few weeks after Spring Break—you’ll write a full ethnography in which you’ll paint a thorough picture of the subculture you’ve studied. For this Verbal Portrait, you’ll want to identify what one more layer of information or insight you want to acquire to help you better understand your subculture.

This “next layer” can take any form. Focus on what will help you take your understanding of your subculture to the next level. You might choose to: conduct another fieldsite observation; conduct a second in-depth interview; collect a written narrative from an informant (ask an informant to write a story for you to read and analyze); reflect on what you’ve learned overall about your subculture; reflect on what has been going well and what hasn’t in your research process. Once you choose your “next layer,” use the Verbal Portrait to discuss it. Use examples and specific details to support the information or experiences you discuss. Unlike other papers you’ve written for this class that have had stricter guidelines, the Verbal Portrait gives you freedom to decide what your paper will look like.

Formatting: 3 pages, typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman, 12-point font. Evaluation: The Verbal Portrait will be evaluated according to the following criteria: Point value: Identification of “next layer” and explanation of choice; discussion of ideas; use of supporting examples and details; professionalism. The writer must meet length and formatting guidelines, and the paper should be free from spelling, grammatical, or language errors that impede meaning.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires a reflective and analytical exploration of the next layer of research to deepen understanding of a chosen subculture. As an ethnographer-in-training, the goal is to identify a specific aspect of the research process that has yet to be sufficiently explored and to articulate why this aspect is crucial for advancing the study. This exercise not only enhances methodological rigor but also encourages critical reflection on the research journey, providing insights into how each layer contributes to the comprehensive ethnographic portrait.

In approaching this task, I recognized that my understanding of the subculture could be expanded through additional direct engagement, perhaps by conducting further field observations. While prior visits have provided context on physical spaces, an additional observation could unveil nuanced interactions and unspoken norms, deepening my grasp of everyday practices and social dynamics. For example, during my initial observations, I noted communal gatherings and rituals; however, re-engaging at different times or settings might reveal variations or subtleties previously overlooked, thus enriching my descriptive narrative.

Alternatively, conducting a second in-depth interview would allow me to probe specific topics that emerged as intriguing during my first conversation, especially to explore themes that are complex or ambiguous. For instance, if initial interviews touched upon identity expression but lacked elaboration, a follow-up interview could elicit more detailed accounts, illustrating how members interpret their role within the subculture. Such rich, firsthand accounts could significantly enhance the analytical dimension of my ethnography, adding depth and authenticity.

Another viable next layer involves collecting a written narrative from an informant. This method offers a different mode of engagement—literature and storytelling—potentially revealing insights that spoken interviews might not capture. Written narratives allow informants to reflect more carefully and compose their stories at their own pace, which can uncover unconscious or subconscious perceptions about the subculture that might be less accessible through spontaneous speech.

Reflectively, I realize that each of these options—another observation, a second interview, or a written narrative—can complement and deepen my existing understanding, but choosing the most appropriate next layer depends on my current gaps. For example, I am particularly interested in understanding how cultural artifacts shape identity among members. Therefore, a subsequent observation focused on artifact interaction or a detailed interview about artifacts' significance could be especially fruitful. This tailored approach aligns with my goal of elucidating the symbolic meanings within this subculture, thus pushing my research to a more analytical level.

In conclusion, I believe that the next layer of research—be it additional observation, a second interview, or a collective narrative—will serve as a vital step in refining my ethnographic portrait. By intentionally selecting the method that best addresses my current gaps—specifically, the role of artifacts and symbolic practices—I aim to produce a richer, more nuanced understanding of this subculture. This process exemplifies the iterative nature of ethnography, where each layer helps to assemble a detailed and truthful depiction of the community’s social fabric.

References

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• Kaufman, M. (2020). Symbolic artifacts and identity in cultural communities. Journal of Cultural Anthropology, 35(2), 145-161.