Profile Freewrite
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
Now it is your turn to learn and share about a culture, cultural event/practice, icon, . Using listing, freewriting, or other invention strategies make a list of 5 potential topics to review. Beside each, note why you are interested in wiritng an informative essay about that culture/practice/icon. Once you have your list decide if you would like to take the opportunity to write abouta possible subject about which you consider yourself an "expert," or about which you could write a very interesting informative piece or if you want to take the opportunity to learn something more about a culture/practice/icon which you are curious or passionately interested. Consider areas beyond specific regional groups or religions. Consider cultural icons, artifacts, heros, etc. to explore. For instance, the influence/role of tattoos in gang culture in the United States or culture unique to “traveling music fans” for bands such as Goose, Phish, or Billy Strings, or the cultural icons representing for Appalachia, Growth of comic con/cosplay, plight of immigrants, lives of missionaries, etc. . Find a topic that you are interested in exploring, conducting field research, and interview to have fully developed and interesting profile essay.
Now that you have your list, begin thinking about your purpose for writing. What do you want to know about your subject? How can you convey this to the reader? DO you have any preconceived notions about the subject? How can you learn more? Who is an expert? Freewrite on specific aspect of culture: Why did you choose it? What do you know about it? Why do you care about it? How do you think you could make others care about it or get interested in it? What information do you think others need about it to understand it in the way that you want them to understand it? How DO you want your readers to understand your subject? Where can you get the kinds of information you need so that you can fully inform your readers about your subject? Whom can you interview? How can you visit your subject and get interviews or field observations? Can you use phone/email interviews?
Submit ALL of your notes from this freewrite. In this case, more is better.
Now that you have your list, begin thinking about your purpose for writing. What do you want to know about your subject? How can you convey this to the reader? DO you have any preconceived notions about the subject? How can you learn more? Who is an expert? Freewrite on specific aspect of culture: Why did you choose it? What do you know about it? Why do you care about it? How do you think you could make others care about it or get interested in it? What information do you think others need about it to understand it in the way that you want them to understand it? How DO you want your readers to understand your subject? Where can you get the kinds of information you need so that you can fully inform your readers about your subject? Whom can you interview? How can you visit your subject and get interviews or field observations? Can you use phone/email interviews?
Submit ALL of your notes from this freewrite. In this case, more is better.