How to Write Anthropological Books

Writers of anthropological books have many branches and subbranches to chose from.

The goal of many anthropologists is to eventually publish their data. But an anthropology book that is poorly structured and does not follow proper guidelines will make the subject harder to follow and lose the reader's attention. For instance, a basic book on the study of anthropology should contain simple language and should not assume that certain well-known studies are common knowledge. Book writing is a process and requires structure.

Instructions

1. Select a specific branch of anthropology to focus on, such as archaeological, biological, linguistic or socio-cultural. Choose the subject you're most knowledgeable about and most interested in.

2. Determine the kind of book you'd like to write: textbook, study guide/student reference, handbook, monogram, academic or fiction. Choose an academic book to discuss various research in the field. Or to examine your own research, write a monogram book. Write a handbook if your intended readers are academics. If your target readers are undergrad and graduate students, textbooks or study guides are appropriate.

3. 

   Going to the library could lead to spontaneous ideas for your anthropology book.

   Research the style. Go to the library and check out anthropological books that resemble the format you've chosen. Observe the table of contents. Skim through the books to understand the structure, how the book is broken down and in what order ideas are presented.

4. Develop a reference list. Authoritative books have statements supported with published data; therefore, find studies that you've read over the years. Reread your anthropology books and highlight interesting statements. In the book's reference section, do follow-up research on the studies mentioned. Gather your references and print a unified list.

5. Create a mission statement to include your vision, task, values/beliefs and goals. For task, answer "what?" "why?" and "for whom?" Reveal your dreams and aspirations, explain a detailed realistic goal and include a deadline.

6. Create a preliminary table of contents. Make a general list of areas you plan to cover. Separate into three to five sections, more if necessary, and create a heading for each part. Create subheadings within each section. Write a brief summary underneath each heading, plus detailed sentences describing each subheading.

7. Begin writing. Create a thesis and prove it. Write sentences that support your argument. Share several ideas throughout the book, and provide an in-depth analysis for each one.

Tips & Warnings

• Give yourself more than a year to finish a book, and focus on one book at a time.

• Find an anthropologist, book reviewer or even a professor to write a "forward."

• For fiction writing, read book critiques from various sources on anthropology novels, and note the negative remarks.

• Use the mission statement to keep you on track.

• Focus on a subdiscipline instead of a branch, if you want to write several books.

References

• San Diego State University; Writing a Good Book Proposal; Patrick Brindle
• Northern Kentucky University: How to Write a Critical Review of an Anthropological Text
• University of Delaware; How to Write a Book Review; Spring 2009
• "Strategic Management: A Primer"; Alvin L. Booke, Ph.D.; 2008

Resources

• Harvard College Library: Anthropological Influences
• Purdue Online Writing Lab; Effective Outlines; Elyssa Tardiff, et al; April 2011