Profile of a Culture or Ethnic Group

Stewart-Steele1

MWP #1:

Profile of a Culture or Ethnic Group

Weight: 20% of final grade

Length and Formatting: 2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced, Black 12-point Times New Roman font, using standard MLA format.

Assignment Preparation: Brainstorm about a culture or ethnic group. (Useful for Mind Map Assignment) Think of all the ways that a culture or ethnic group has impacted the way individuals live, learn, and behave socially. Next, beside each of your top picks with the category’s, clarify for yourself why that impacts the culture or ethnic group specifically. Then write for 5-10 minutes about what outsiders in general might think about the culture or ethnic group. After this, list who on Campus or within a community might be a good insider for information regarding the culture or ethnic group, and why?

Assignment: Write a profile of a culture or ethnic group that surrounds beliefs, education, and social preferences. Remember this assignment is not about you but about profiling a culture or ethnic group, therefore the essay should be written in 3rd person.

Work to Describe the culture or ethnic groups key features: What makes it a distinct culture or ethnic group, and what experiences or outcomes may someone have who enters that culture or ethnic group reasonably expect?

The profile you provide should work to enlighten your readers about the culture or ethnic group that you have chosen. Your readers should leave your essay not with a general encyclopedia-level understanding of the culture or ethnic group, but with a refreshed and expanded understanding—beyond common knowledge or stereotypes—of what the culture or ethnic group concerns. Focus your paper on 3 key takeaways for your readers.

Audience: First-year college students who have not thought extensively about other cultures or ethnic groups in which you have chosen to write about. They are comprised of an indifferent audience that encounters your essay in a booklet called “Campus Life” written for undergraduates and focusing on the many options for work and study at the College.

Research: If you choose to obtain outside sources you are limited to 2 sources only. Do not use Google. Resources that can be used for this assignment should only be comprised of in-class text, Jstor, or the library. If you choose to utilize quotes from these sources for this paper, you will need to make sure you are introducing the quote or quotes correctly, make sure that it is absolutely necessary to have the author’s words exactly and not your own words.

Rationale: This assignment forces you to describe and explain a topic with a sense of your purpose and audience—fundamental concerns for anyone who wishes to write rhetorically. Furthermore, it pushes you to be specific, to commit to 3 key points rather than try to list and explain several points about your topic. Doing this will give you practice organizing your ideas differently than via the five-paragraph theme; this is a crucial step for college writers.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

• Length: 2–3 pages, double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, MLA format.

• Audience: First-year undergraduates (indifferent audience who need clear, engaging information).

• Perspective: Write in third person, not about yourself.

• Focus: Provide 3 key takeaways about the culture or ethnic group you choose.

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Step 2: Brainstorm & Prewriting

• Choose a culture or ethnic group that interests you.

• Make a list of how this group’s beliefs, education, and social preferences shape identity and behavior.

• Freewrite for 5–10 minutes about common outsider perspectives (including stereotypes or misconceptions).

• List potential insiders (campus/community members) who could provide authentic insights.

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Step 3: Research (Optional but Limited)

• Use only in-class texts, JSTOR, or the campus library.

• Maximum: 2 outside sources.

• Avoid Google and general encyclopedias.

• Use quotes sparingly and only if the exact words are essential. Always introduce quotes properly.

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Step 4: Drafting Your Essay

Your essay should be organized around 3 main takeaways for your readers.

Suggested Structure:

1. Introduction

   • Start with a hook (why learning about this group matters).

   • Briefly introduce the culture/ethnic group.

   • End with a thesis that highlights the 3 key takeaways.

2. Body Paragraphs (3 sections)

   • Each section = one key takeaway.

   • For each takeaway:

     • Describe the cultural feature (beliefs, education, or social preferences).

     • Explain what makes it unique.

     • Clarify what someone entering that culture might experience.

     • Go beyond stereotypes—provide depth and insight.

3. Conclusion

   • Summarize the 3 takeaways.

   • Re-emphasize why understanding this group matters for undergraduates.

   • Leave readers with a fresh perspective.

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Step 5: Writing Style & Formatting

• Use MLA format (header, double spacing, works cited page if sources are used).

• Maintain an academic, objective voice (third person).

• Stay focused on enlightening the audience—don’t just describe, but explain why these features matter.

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Step 6: Final Checks

• Did you focus on 3 strong points rather than many?

• Did you write in third person (avoid “I” or “we”)?

• Does the essay expand beyond stereotypes?

• Is the paper 2–3 full pages?

• If you used sources, is there a proper Works Cited page?

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Helpful Resources

• MLA Formatting and Style Guide (OWL Purdue)

• JSTOR Research Database

• Understanding Stereotypes

Remember! It’s just a sample. Our professional writers will write a unique paper for you.

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