anthropology essay outline

Department of Anthropology

Writing Guide

The steps to writing a research paper.

1. Select a general topic

2. Research the selected topic

• How to Do Research at the UNT Library (from the UNT Libraries' Web site)
• Anthropology Subject Guide (finding anthropology-related books and articles from the UNT Libraries' Web site)
• Research Tools from the UNT Library

3. Evaluate your resources

• How to Search the Internet and Evaluate Internet Sources

5. Define/Refine Your Topic and Develop Your Thesis

Thesis - An arguable statement put forth for discussion and proof.

• A thesis should be a strong, original idea, claim, or argument.
• A thesis is normally found in the introduction of a paper.
• A thesis informs the reader of the purpose of your paper.
• A thesis should be specific, not broad or vague. Avoid vague terms like "good" or "bad."
• A thesis should analyze, not summarize.
• A thesis will tie together all the ideas of your paper.

6. Re-read with an eye on the thesis

7. Develop Supporting Ideas and Arguments

Make sure the content of your papers is relevant tyour argument. Read carefully and cut or revise parts of your paper that don't support your argument.

8. Types of Supporting Ideas and Arguments

• Data from a Research Project If you conducted a project, present summaries of the data you collected, and relevant examples.
• Facts & Figures Information about your topic that has been collected by other agencies or researchers
• Statistics These are not as central tanthropology as some other fields, but they can still greatly strengthen your arguments.
• Authorities (Quotes from Experts) You must establish the credentials of the authorities before their quotes are persuasive and credibility tthe argument.
• Textual Evidence Supporting information from texts.
• Historical Background

9. Take notes

10. Organize notes

11. Develop an Outline

An outline is key the organization of your paper. See the Purdue University guide for developing outlines at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_outlin.html

12. Write a Draft

When writing a draft, make sure to reference the Chicago Manual of Style . Please note that this requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader .

The Writing Lab at Purdue University provides thorough information on writing a research paper see below for assistance with particular parts of a draft:

• Writing a first draft ( http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/1draft.html )
• Introduction ( http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/writeintro.html )
• Paragraphs ( http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/paragrf.html )
• Conclusion ( http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/conclude.html )

13. Avoid Plagiarism

Plagiarism may be defined as the following:

• Using the exact words or phrases of a source without proper quotation marks both before and after the words or phrases.
• Using the exact words or phrases or the ideas of a source without proper documentation in APA style.
• Using slightly changed words or phrases of a source tavoid quotation.
• Submitting a paper that in any way represents the words, phrases, or ideas of someone else as your own.
• Submitting a paper that you did not write.

This definition of plagiarism was written by the English Faculty at Weatherford College.

14. Citing Works Within a Paper

When citing works within a paper, make sure to reference the Chicago Manual of Style Please note that this requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader .

15. Write a Works Cited or Bibliography

When writing a Works Cited or Bibliography, make sure to reference the Chicago Manual of Style Please note that this requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader .

When using APA style, you may reference APA Formatting and Style Guide at Purdue http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

16. Leave it alone for a couple of days

17. Submit for peer review if possible

18. Revise, revise, and revise!

19. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

For an excellent, proofreading checklist, visit the Writing Center at George Mason University Online Handouts, including:

• 23 Ways to Improve Your Draft
• Editing Checklist

All available at https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/wc-quick-guides .

If you need assistance writing your research paper, try these UNT Resources

• The University Writing Center
• The Learning Center

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How to Write an Anthropology Paper

Last Updated: October 1, 2020

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Writing a paper for an Anthropology course can be a new experience for those of you that are new to this field of study. Anthropology is generally understood as the study of all people across all points in time and space, and is broken down into four distinct sub-fields in the American tradition: Cultural anthropology, Biological/Physical anthropology, Linguistic anthropology, and Archaeology. Most introductory-level courses, or “Anthropology 101”, will briefly cover what each of these sub-fields mean and how anthropologists work within them. If you’re taking one of these beginner courses, you will most likely have to write an academic paper at some point. This instructional set will provide step-by-step instructions on how to help you successfully write your first anthropological essay using the American Anthropological Association (AAA) guidelines for formatting and citations and how to find credible anthropological sources/information

• Get all of your supplies organized and have everything on hand.
• Make a quick schedule to help you stay on track. If you have plenty of time before the due date, set up daily goals to help you stay on track with all of the research and writing you might have to do. Spreading out your workload will definitely help take away some of the stress.
• If you have plenty of time before the due date, set up daily goals to help you stay on track with all of the research and writing you might have to do. Spreading out your workload will definitely help take away some of the stress.

• Obviously this step isn't anthropology-specific, but it really is one of the most important steps when it comes to writing any paper.
• Try to start and finish your outline in one sitting.  You can always edit it as you move along, but having a complete outline before you start the actual writing process will help you work a lot quicker and more efficiently.

• American anthropology has four distinct sub-fields: archaeological, cultural, linguistic, and biological/physical.  Knowing how you can apply one or more of these sub-fields to help support your argument is crucial to anthropological writing.
• How do you know which field applies to your paper's topic?  The answer is usually all of the above.  In very basic terms, everything that has anything to do with people can be observed and analyzed anthropologically.

• The Internet is a magical and wonderful place for conducting research.  Just make sure that you know where to look when it comes to credible resources.
• Know the difference between scholarly and public sources.
• Get familiar with your school's library system.  Many universities and colleges have free and easy-to-access websites that can access great material.

• This is the official formatting guideline for the American Anthropological Association.
• You can access a free PDF of it here: http://www.aaanet.org/publications/guidelines.cfm
• Although you may not use this format in an introductory-level course, anyone who wishes to pursue their degree in anthropology will most certainly have to write a few papers using this.

• Make sure you understand all of the vocabulary and key concepts from your notes and textbook.
• Does your thesis statement makes sense and do your topic sentences support your claims?
• Do you have enough sources for your assignment?  Are they credible, accurate, and relevant?

• Remember to follow your outline and stick to your writing schedule (if you made one).
• Take short breaks every hour or so to review your work, or to simply just give yourself a rest.

• Ask them to look for things like logical flow of ideas, clarity, and get their overall opinion first.  Spelling and grammatical errors should be noted, but not the main focus of this part in the editing process.
• Once you have their feedback, start working on your final masterpiece.

• Have you completed all of the prompts or answered all of the questions that may have been listed in the rubric?
• Did you meet the length requirements?
• Does the format and citation style comply with the rubric as well?
• Can you identify your thesis statement and topic sentences?
• Did you successfully support your claim?
• Did you cite your sources properly?
• Are there any spelling or grammatical mistakes?
• How did you apply your knowledge of anthropology in this paper?

Expert Q&A

• Here are a few links to some really great anthropological websites. Check them out if you get stuck on your research step. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• American Anthropological Association website: http://www.aaanet.org Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Anthropology Resources on the Internet: http://www.anthropology-resources.net/index.html Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

• a computer with a word processor program
• your class notes and textbook
• access to the Internet

You Might Also Like

• American Anthropological Association logo [Image], Retrieved from: http://www.ssrn.com/en/index.cfm/aarn/

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The Student's Practical Guide: Writing Term Papers for Anthropology (and Related Subjects)

Steven m. parish, introduction, the style and organization of term papers: a quick review of the essentials, eight magical and wise rules for writing term papers, the citation format of anthropology papers, what needs to be cited, how do you use citations, plagiarism: the big ''p", the bibliographic format of anthropology papers: the reference list, a sample bibliography, library research, additional reference works, melvyl, roger, and the web.

Anthropology Essay Examples

10+ Anthropology Essay Examples & Topics to Kick-Start Your Writing

Published on: May 5, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024

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Are you a student looking for inspiration for your next anthropology essay?

With so many subfields, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to focus on. You want to create an essay that is not only informative but also engaging and thought-provoking. You want to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression on your readers.

But how do you achieve that when you're not even sure where to start from?

Don't worry, we've got you covered.

In this blog, we've compiled a collection of some of the best anthropology essay examples to help you get started. We will also provide you with a list of topics you can choose from!

So get ready to dive into the rich and complex world of anthropology through these essays.

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What is an Anthropology Essay?

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures. An anthropology essay is an academic paper that explores various aspects of this field. 

The goal of an anthropology essay is to analyze the practices of human beings in different parts of the world. Check out this anthropology essay example for a better understanding:

Anthropology Essay Pdf

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Anthropology Essay Examples for Students 

Writing an anthropology essay can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure where to start. 

Let’s explore these anthropology essay examples for some captivating ideas.

Anthropology College Essay Examples

Anthropology Research Paper Example

Anthropology Essay Examples on Different Subjects

Anthropology is a vast field with many subfields and topics to explore. As a student, it can be challenging to navigate this diverse landscape and find a subject that interests you.

In this section, we've compiled a list of anthropology paper examples for different subjects to help you get started.

What Makes Us Human Anthropology Essay

Social Anthropology Essay

Cultural Anthropology Essay

What I Learned In Anthropology Essay

Social And Cultural Anthropology Extended Essay Example

Anthropology Essay Format 

The format of an anthropology essay can vary depending on the assignment requirements. But generally, it follows a standard structure. 

Learn how to write an anthropology essay here:

Introduction

A catchy introduction provides background information on your topic and presents your thesis statement.

Check out this introduction example to help you craft yours!

Anthropology Introduction Essay Example

Body paragraphs

Body paragraphs help you develop your argument in a series of paragraphs. Each focuses on a specific idea or argument. 

Make sure to support each argument with evidence from your research.

Learn to write a body paragraph with the help of this example:

Anthropology Body Paragraph Essay Example

The conclusion of an essay summarizes the main points and restates your thesis statement. Always end your essay with a thought-provoking statement or call to action.

Want an example of how to conclude your anthropology essay? Here is an example:

Anthropology Conclusion Essay Example

Anthropology Essay Topics

It's essential to select a topic that interests you and is relevant to the field. 

Here are some anthropology essay topics to consider:

• The cultural significance of rituals and ceremonies
• The impact of globalization on traditional societies
• The evolution of human communication and language
• The social and cultural implications of technology
• The role of gender and sexuality in different cultures
• The relationship between culture and power
• The impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures
• The cultural significance of food and cuisine
• The effects of climate change on human societies
• The ethics of anthropological research and representation.

All in all, anthropology essays require critical thinking , research, and an understanding of diverse cultures and societies. 

With the examples and the right AI essay writing tools , you can craft a compelling essay that showcases insights into the field of anthropology.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or need support, our anthropology essay writing service will ease the process for you. 

Don't let the challenges of writing an anthropology essay hold you back! Just ask us, “ write my college essay for me ” and we'll help you succeed!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an anthropology essay.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing an anthropology essay include:

• Using jargon without defining it
• Neglecting to engage with relevant literature
• Failing to provide sufficient evidence to support your claims

Are there any ethical considerations to keep in mind when conducting anthropological research?

Yes, ethical considerations are crucial in anthropological research. Researchers must obtain informed consent from participants and ensure that their research does not cause harm.

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General Instructions for Organizing a Cultural Anthropology Essay Outline

The outline provides a diagram of ideas that you want to focus on in your paper. In the process of outlining, you will find opportunities of combining or eliminating some potential paragraphs. In most cases, the first draft will contain repetitive sections or ideas which have the effect of stalling instead of advancing the central argument of your paper. In addition to the foregoing, for those who have difficulties revising their paper, by making simple outline of every paragraph and its topic sentence, they can easily identify the strengths of weaknesses of the research work.

• Outline the context or Introduction: The introduction should provide context of the paper to the readers and prepare them for the purpose or argument of the paper. The introduction should start with discussion of the particular topic but not a broad overview of the background, and should additionally provide enough context such as definition of the vital terms and thus prepare the reader for the purpose statement.
• Outline the purpose or thesis statement: The purpose statement should come after the introduction. It should state concisely and clearly the central or purpose argument of the paper. The introduction should prepare the readers for the purpose statement then the rest of your essay should support it.
• Outline the background: After the introduction follows the background of your paper’s topic. This section or paragraph may include the literature review which should survey you present level of knowledge on your chosen anthropology topic. A background can simply provide an historical overview of the relevant information. However, the main purpose of the background section is to provide justification of your own paper or project by identifying the gaps in the existing research. It is these identified gaps which your paper seeks to address.
• Outline the major and minor points: Major points form the crust of your work. They support on each other and help move forward the paper up to its conclusion. Every major point in your paper should lay clear claim which should relate to the paper’s central or main argument. The minor points can be described as subtopics within the major points. They develop ideas advanced by the major points by providing further explanation or illustration and may be in form of supporting ideas, example from trusted sources and statistics.
• Outline the conclusion: The conclusion of your paper should create the major claim of your work and then tie that claim to the larger discussion. However, you should not restate every major and minor point in your conclusion. Instead, you should revisit the thesis statement then end your paper by jointing the statement to the findings and the future implications of your findings.
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