Rhet 233

In-class writing #1

The authors of Fieldworking define a “ subculture ” as “ any self-identified group of people who share language, stories, rituals, behaviors, and values ” (6) and suggest that subcultures may define themselves in many different ways. It's likely that you belong to several different subcultures and starting to think about these is a good first step to beginning your research for the semester.

To begin, simply think about several different subcultures to which you belong. Make brief notes regarding the rituals, language, and behaviors associated with each group.

Next, think about the different technologies used by each group. Is one group associated strongly with a certain technology? Is a technology closely embedded in several groups you listed?

Choose one group or technology and write a brief essay describing it. You can discuss specific places where this group/tech might be found, locations where rituals occur, types of language used by the group and situations where this language is appropriate/ inappropriate, behaviors associated with a technology, etc. Whatever you think might be most interesting about the group/tech is fair game, although you'll share what you've written with others in the class later so only write what you're comfortable having others read.