Writing...Writing...writing...

 

IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF WRITING

(1)  After watching the film, pick an aspect of "tradition" of the Toda and write detailed notes about it

(2) watch the film again and take notes

(3) Compare both sets of notes

(4) compare your notes to others

  • differences between writing (1) (field notes) from memory (lack of detail, and the potential to collapse events and time, among others) and (2) writing while actually in a place (noting more detail, movement of people throughout spaces, variations at different times of day, and other aspects of in-site descriptions). 
  • the different possible perspectives on places and events, what anthropologists call positionality; 
  • the plethora of detail to be written about; 
  • different writing styles; 
  • differences in focus, writing more about people and their interactions versus writing more about the physical space. 
  • all of these are important to consider when writing descriptive field notes, as well as the importance of writing during or as soon after participant-observation experiences as possible. 

Tips and tricks for writers

  • write every day
  • reread and edit your writing
  • find writing/editing partners that you trust for feedback
  • Save every edition
  • go back to your notes on a regular basis
  • Allow your writing to mirror the "inductive" research process




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