Instruction
I. Introduce your topic: what are you going to write about and why did you choose it? You might provide some background to tell me about this.
II. Record and describe a social situation to the fullest you can. Do not leave out details but describe it to the fullest you can, do not evaluate it yet.
III. Analyze it: that is evaluate the social situation based on criteria you select
This means you are going to evaluate the social situation in which you observed people doing something….according to criteria you find interesting. It can be social status, rank, economics, reciprocity, political situation, descent, kinship, status, as a form of religious practice, etc. You can use Erving Goffman's dramaturgical model to explain your setting and its social interaction.
Examples:
a) You might consider looking at your social situation for evidence of status or political preference, ethnicity, community.
b) You might analyze a celebration you attend in your community. How is this social event a representation of American culture?
IV. Interpret: Finally, explain why your observations are important given the context of the situation