An autoethnography is a self-reflective, scholarly analysis that connects personal experience to deeper theory. Here, you will be exploring your own ideas and experiences of gender. Well learn that you arent just male or female, but that there is a whole spectrum of gender identity. In this paper, youll connect your personal story to theories of sex/gender discussed in class. Unlike a traditional research paper, the point of reference for this assignment is you and your own personal experience.
Requirements:
Step 1. The Scene. In a 4-6 page paper (1 margins; double-spaced; Times New Roman, 12point font), you should describe (in careful detail) a scene from your life as it relates to gender, sex, sexuality, and/or identity. This scene does not have to be complex or even that excitingmeaning comes from the mundane, as well! This scene should relate some aspect of the course content (textbooks and/or outside readings/materials). This section should be written in an engaging way that invites the reader in. The section should comprise roughly 30%-40% of your paper.

 Step 2. The Analysis. Using the theories and concepts we have discussed thus far this semester, provide an analysis of the situation. Your analysis should employ at least two cited concepts or theories from the textbook. Additionally, you must cite at least two outside professional research articles in your analysis.Helpful Hints:

The scene and the analysis should not be understood as two separate blocks. Each should inform the other. You must pay careful attention to your writing style; the goal is for this to read almost like a scholarly story.

You need to use proper APA format. If you do not understand how to properly document sources, please consult the Writing Center.

The outside sources you use need to come from scholarly research journals. If you do not understand how to properly find research articles, please consult the library or the Information Commons.

Although the following paper is not necessarily related to this course content, check out this example for some ideas about how to compose an autoethnography: http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/wooda/175/175autoexample.html

1) APA paper format: Title page (with running head, title, your name, the course, and the date of submission), abstract (always page 2), title on page 3, source list (titled References) following the last page of your essay  (Watch the Formatting Your Research Essay in APA Style video in the Assignment 4 module.)

2) Introduction: Start the essay with a description of the problem you’ve studied or an anecdote (scenario, news story) that vividly presents the problem or issue–before stating your thesis

3) Thesis: Whether you are making a value judgment (quality argument), proposing a solution to a problem or a course of action or decision (policy argument) or simply defining and explaining a problem or issue in vivid, precise detail throughout your essay, your essay is an “argument” because it requires supporting evidence from your own prior knowledge, experience, and good sense in addition to your authoritative or expert sources.

4) Framed direct (quotation) and indirect (summary, paraphrase/translation) references to sources that support what you want to say and mean:

Remember that quotations do not “speak for themselves.” You need to tell your ideal, imagined readers (which we’ve all tried to be) how to understand and appreciate what you have highlighted from your sources.  If you find it helpful, take another look at the P-I-E strategy in the Assignment 4 module.
Remember, too, that any numbers, phrases, and other specific details imported from your sources into your own writing–no matter how plain and simple–must be cited somehow, either with an “in-text citation” [e.g., Clark, 2018)] or a reference to the author or source title in your lead sentence. See Purdue OWL on in-text citations (including block quotations) at this link: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html
5) Coherence: Read your intro then first sentences of subsequent paragraphs, then conclusion for a sense of the overall “flow” of your essay. Read paragraphs with similar attention to the sequence of ideas. 

6) Precise, concise, and vivid word choice: Opt for an explanatory phrase rather than a cliche. Resist assuming that readers will have the same examples or scenarios in mind that you have–describe and explain what you want us to imagine or know. Remember that specificity and preciseness takes up space! Even when you “trim the fat,” “cut the clutter” from your writing, you will have plenty to say if you remember that your “job” is to explain. NOTE: Your essay should be at least four pages long; five or six pages would be better.