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Composing Ethnographic Texts: How to Use Stylistic and Argumentative Techniques Properly
[journal article]
Abstract Being a good ethnographer means, amongst other things, not forgetting the future reader during the writing process. This article discusses one possible approach for crafting reader-friendly ethnographies. I review basic strategies for creating stringent and straightforward texts, drawing on the jour... view more
Being a good ethnographer means, amongst other things, not forgetting the future reader during the writing process. This article discusses one possible approach for crafting reader-friendly ethnographies. I review basic strategies for creating stringent and straightforward texts, drawing on the journalistic canon of Reportage writing, and sketch how I personally apply or modify these techniques when composing an ethnography. I address elements such as clear formulation, coherent argumentation, adequate pars pro toto scenes, vivid language, and the difficult terrain of symbols and metaphors. I also suggest steps for reworking the first draft of the text. I conclude by arguing that cultivating and cherishing a recipient-friendly communication style is vital for the public visibility of cultural and social anthropology.... view less
Keywords
ethnography; cultural anthropology; journalism; writing
Classification
Ethnology, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnosociology
Free Keywords
readability; writing techniques
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 92-115
Journal
EthnoScripts: Zeitschrift für aktuelle ethnologische Studien, 23 (2021) 1
Issue topic
How to write? Experiences, challenges and possibilities of ethnographic writing
ISSN
2199-7942
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed