Writing in the discipline of anthropology – theoretical, thematic and geographical spaces

Abstract

Writing in different academic disciplines is not only different in superficial ways but in deeper ways that are connected to the history and characteristics of each discipline. Although many writing theorists now understand writing in this way, little has been written about these connections in specific disciplines, and even less about student writing in specific disciplines. This article explores the links between epistemology and writing in the discipline of anthropology. It argues that writers in anthropology situate themselves theoretically, thematically and geographically. The intersection of thematic and geographical spaces seems to be of particular relevance to students. This article examines texts read by students, writing tasks given to students and texts produced by students in an introductory anthropology course. It explains some of their writing difficulties in terms of the nature of the requirements of specific tasks and students’ limited understanding of the discipline of anthropology.

Keywords:

• academic writing
• academic literacy
• anthropology
• first‐year students
• epistemology of disciplines