Here are a list of tips on your writing assignments, such as this week’s Cognitive Diary activity:

1. Your job is to produce a document that makes it easy for us to see that you did the reading, thought about the issues, and did some real research.
2. Make specific connections to the readings, e.g., in defining concept, applying theoretical ideas, making comparisons to someone’s work, or in applying methods defined or used by someone else. Always cite the author – use Chicago/Turabian author-date format.
3. When you make a claim, especially one that isn’t obvious or commonly known, back it up with evidence that supports or illustrates it. Evidence in this class can include both ethnographic observation, images, interview transcripts, etc. as well as references to evidence in articles and books by other authors.
4. Work on making your paper concise, communicating as much information as needed in the space allotted.
5. Please proofread your papers. If possible, get someone else to read your paper and help you edit it.

Many of the points in my general Term Paper Guidelines and Helpful Hints are applicable for all writing assignments.