Reading Response 3

While reading chapter ten and getting familiar with the type of essay we are going to write next, I was able to learn what kinds of elements are needed to make your essay successful and well structured. And while reading the two sample essays by Jon Katz and Tammy Anderson, I was able to distinctly see the elements present in their papers that were included in chapter ten as a description of an ethnographic essay.
In the essay The Cave, Jon Katz followed the rules of an ethnographic essay and includes the elements necessary to write a successful paper. Chapter ten discusses many different things that should be present in an ethnographic essay including that the essay depends on close observation over time (Ballenger 373). It is very obvious that Katz observed his two characters carefully and took the time to find out information on not only their current way of life, but also how their lives were as kids. Using a specific and detailed scenario of the two friends apartment that they lived in, Katz shows proof of his close observations over time, “Jesse’s computer was a Pentium II 300, Asus P2B (Intel BX chipset) motherboard; a Matrix Millenium II AGP; 160 MB SDRAM with a 15.5 GB total hard-drive space; a 4X CD-recorder; 24X CD-ROM; a 17-inch Micron monitor.” (Katz B46). This is a very descriptive part of his ethnographic essay, which could not have been written without close observation or on a whim.
The essay Mary Kay: American Dream in a Bottle by Tammy Anderson, also displays things that chapter ten outlines. The book states that an ethnographic essay should focus on groups of people who identify themselves as group members (Ballenger 373). In Andersons essay, she writes of Mary Kay makeup consultants that sell makeup from their home as a source of income. In this case, the makeup consultants do identify themselves as part of the Mary Kay company, thus claim themselves as group members. Chapter ten also says that the bulk of the research you do for your essay should take place in the natural setting where group members gather (Ballenger 373). Andersons essay mostly takes place in a meeting that she attends to learn more about Mary Kay and to also research for her paper, “I felt very conspicuous when I first arrived at the meeting; all the women turned to stare, wondering who I was, what I was doing there, and who had invited me.” (Anderson B57). This shows that the author was indeed in a setting where the Mary Kay makeup consultants gathered and it seems like Anderson is viewed as a newcomer or even an outsider to the subculture group of makeup sellers.
Both authors provide evidence of their interpretations of what the group they are studying. Katz writes in his paper that, “Despite the name of the club that so shaped them, there was nothing nerdy about Jesse or Eric. Both were tough, smart, resilient, and independent. In fact, before the Geek Club, Jesse had some ugly bouts with gangs and drugs, and several run-ins with local cops.” (Katz B49). The author can see that despite what these two group members are notorious for, or stereotyped as, they are normal people with a normal past. Anderson clearly includes her personal interpretations of Mary Kay makeup sellers as a subculture by adding parts like, “Mary Kay is a form of salvation to them (consultants), and they will do everything necessary to hold onto it.” (Anderson B60) and, “I was relieved to realize that the meeting was over and I quickly left, triumphant in the knowledge that I had once again escaped becoming a Mary Kay consultant.” (Anderson B61). Andersons interpretations of the group is that there are some women who need this kind of a job and that when they find it, they are eager to hold onto it. Andersons tone towards this group is somewhat annoyed, bothered, or even maybe amused and thus reflects her personal interpretation.
To provide similar evidence for my topic for an ethnographic essay, I can interview and observe people in the subculture. I can even possibly interview people who have opposing viewpoints about the subculture and include it in my paper as a contradiction; what the public believes vs. what the subculture really is.