ARGUMENT, QUESTION, CONNECTIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS: AQCI

An ​AQCI word document​ is written on a single reading in anthropological theory. ​They will be
collected at the sessions-remember to bring one copy to submit the day of class, and
keep a second for yourself.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

Read the assigned text and write a critical review using the following template.

CENTRAL QUOTATION. Quote a sentence (or excerpts from linked sentences) from the text (or
texts) that you believe to be central to the author's (or authors') implicit or explicit argument(s).
Always cite the page; it is not necessary to provide complete bibliographic references.

ARGUMENT. In no more than three sentences, state the author's explicit or implicit argument.
Be sure to include both:​ what the author is arguing ​for,​ and what s/he is arguing ​against.

QUESTION. Raise a question which you think is not fully, or satisfactorily, answered by the text.
The question should be a question of interpretation or of inquiry, not simply a question of fact.

EXPERIENTIAL CONNECTION. Say, in a few lines only, how the argument confirms or
contradicts your own experience or common sense.

TEXTUAL CONNECTION. Connect the argument of this text to an argument or point you find in
another reading assignment or film we have done/seen in this course ​and/or​ you have picked up
from earlier study. You may present a quotation from the other text (citing it properly), and
explain how the present text's argument contrasts with, confirms, clarifies, or elaborates the other
text's argument or point. The idea here is to engage with the texts and situate them in
conversation with each other. This is more important than simply providing quotations.

IMPLICATIONS. Lay out what this argument (#2 above) implies for understanding or improving
society, relations between individuals, or groups (e.g., inter-ethnic, nations, etc.) or any facet of
social or cultural reality (a few sentences only).

AQCIs may not exceed one typed page. They should be typed or word-processed,
proofread and printed with the same degree of care as other assessed essays.
More about AQCIs

Format: Outline form (numbered) is useful for clarity. However, you may use any style you wish
as long as you somehow ensure that I realise all questions are answered. Some questions may
(in outline or other form) be combined, where appropriate. Remember: ​ONE PAGE ONLY

It should be clear that you have read the texts. Questions 2 and 3 are relevant here and can be
combined at times. In the past, students have stumbled here by skimming texts or reading only
one part, thus mistaking some small building block for the central argument. ​What is the question
this article is trying to answer?​ In doing so, does it raise further questions?

Engagement with the texts comes through in more personal terms. Questions 4 and 6 should
demonstrate that you have digested the material and thought beyond the authors' writings.

Question 5 is most important. Here you show the relationship of ideas discussed in the different
texts that week-and, where appropriate, between these and others from other weeks' readings or
from outside the course.