I'm doing a research project and chose "Greetings and Gestures" for my topic. So far I have my introduction and thesis.
Greetings and Gestures
All culture groups have various ways of communicating with one another. Some forms may be universal while others may vary with the culture. Communication can involve speaking, or it could also include some form of body language or gesture. When two people meet for the first time, the proper thing to do is to introduce themselves and greet one another properly depending on what culture they come from. Greetings may involve more than just words. It is not only important on how the greeting is said, but also how it is done, such as touching and the movement of the body like waving or bowing. As some cultures greet one another with a hug or a kiss, others do not which can cause problems for some when they are not aware of what is allowed and what is not. In addition, because first impression is most important when first meeting someone, it is important to know how to handle these types of situations, as some people might take it offensively or personal and will consider it disrespectful if the greeting or gesture is performed in wrong or informal way. "While some greetings and gestures may be acceptable in one culture, it may not be so in another, which is why people it important to be aware of the cultural difference when visiting countries or meeting people from different ethnic backgrounds for the first time to avoid any misunderstanding."
My thesis is in quotes.
My outline is something like this:
I. Introduction
A. Greetings
B. Gestures
C. Thesis
II.Greetings
A. History
B. Culture
III. Greetings
A. Do's
B. Taboos
IV. Gestures
A. History
B. Culture
V. Gestures
A. Do's
B. Taboos
VI. Conclusion
I basically want to write about what gestures and greetings is appropriate in one culture, may not be appropriate in another.
This is far too long for an introduction, and far too detailed, as well. All the sentences in bold below need to go into the body of the paper somewhere. In their place you need to put something that will catch the reader's attention and make him/her WANT to keep reading your paper.
All culture groups have various ways of communicating with one another. Some forms (forms of what?) may be universal while others may vary with the culture. Communication can involve speaking, or it could also include some form of body language or gesture. When two people meet for the first time, the proper thing to do is to introduce themselves and greet one another properly depending on what culture they come from. Greetings may involve more than just words. It is not only important on how the greeting is said, but also how it is done, such as touching and the movement of the body like waving or bowing. As some cultures greet one another with a hug or a kiss, others do not which can cause problems for some when they are not aware of what is allowed and what is not. In addition, because first impression is most important when first meeting someone, it is important to know how to handle these types of situations, as some people might take it offensively or personal and will consider it disrespectful if the greeting or gesture is performed in wrong or informal way. "While some greetings and gestures may be acceptable in one culture, it may not be so in another, which is why people it important to be aware of the cultural difference when visiting countries or meeting people from different ethnic backgrounds for the first time to avoid any misunderstanding."
In addition, your thesis statement is also far too long and convoluted.
Your outline looks fine. Keep all the details in there.
Be careful to match any references -- you don't want any plural pronouns trying to refer to a singular antecedent, nor do you want a verb in singular form to have a plural subject.
And make sure every single instance of "it" and any other vague pronoun has a clear antecedent.
Your outline looks great so far! To further develop your research project on greetings and gestures, specifically focusing on the appropriateness of different cultural practices, here are some steps you can take:
I. Introduction
A. Greetings
B. Gestures
C. Thesis
II. The Importance of Cultural Awareness when Greeting and Gesturing
A. Different cultural norms
1. How greetings and gestures vary across cultures
2. Examples of culture-specific greetings and gestures
B. Potential misunderstandings or offenses caused by cultural differences
1. Impact on interpersonal relationships
2. Communication breakdowns
C. Significance of understanding cultural differences in today's globalized world
III. Cultural Differences in Greetings
A. Historical and cultural influences on greetings
1. Traditional customs and rituals
2. Socio-historical factors shaping greetings
B. Examples of specific cultural greeting customs
1. Handshakes
- Different handshake variations across cultures
- Etiquette and rules associated with handshakes
2. Bowing
- Cultural significance of bowing
- Different bowing styles and degrees of formality
3. Hugs and kisses
- Cultural variations in physical contact greetings
- Gender and personal space considerations
IV. Cultural Differences in Gestures
A. Historical and cultural influences on gestures
1. Origins and meanings of specific gestures
2. Symbolism and cultural context
B. Examples of specific cultural gestures
1. Greetings with gestures
- Nodding, waving, and other nonverbal communication
- Associated meanings and appropriateness in different cultures
2. Offensive or taboo gestures
- Gestures that are considered disrespectful or offensive in certain cultures
- Understanding potential consequences of inappropriate gestures
V. Strategies for Cross-Cultural Communication
A. Importance of adaptability and respect
B. Researching and adapting to local customs when in a different culture
C. Learning about cultural norms to foster understanding and avoid misunderstandings
VI. Conclusion
A. Recap of the importance of greetings and gestures in cross-cultural communication
B. Emphasizing the significance of cultural sensitivity and awareness
Remember to conduct thorough research and provide specific examples and illustrations to support your points. Additionally, ensure your writing style is clear and concise, and cite any sources used for factual information or quotes.
Your outline looks like a good starting point for your research project on greetings and gestures. To continue your research and gather information about what gestures and greetings are appropriate in one culture and not in another, you can follow these steps:
1. Define the cultures you want to focus on: Decide which cultures you want to explore in your research project. You may choose to focus on specific countries or regions, or you can compare gestures and greetings across various cultural groups.
2. Conduct literature review: Search for scholarly articles, books, or reputable online sources that provide information about greetings and gestures in different cultures. You can begin by using academic databases such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, or your university library resources. This will help you gather relevant and reliable information for your project.
3. Interview people from different cultural backgrounds: Reach out to individuals who are familiar with the cultures you are studying. This could be friends, family, or community members who can provide firsthand knowledge and experiences related to greetings and gestures. By conducting interviews, you can gain insights into cultural norms and learn about specific greetings and gestures that are appropriate or inappropriate in different contexts.
4. Cross-cultural case studies: Look for examples of cross-cultural misunderstandings or conflicts caused by differences in greetings and gestures. This can help illustrate the significance of cultural awareness in avoiding misunderstandings when interacting with people from different backgrounds.
5. Analyze and compare findings: Examine the information you have gathered for each culture and identify similarities and differences in greetings and gestures. Make note of the do's and taboos for each culture, considering factors such as appropriate physical contact, handshakes, bowing, kissing, hugging, or other nonverbal greetings. Compare how these differ from culture to culture and the potential reasons behind these differences.
6. Provide examples: Use vivid examples to demonstrate the contrasts and potential consequences of inappropriate greetings and gestures. This can help readers understand the importance of cultural sensitivity when interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Remember to properly cite your sources throughout your research project to ensure academic integrity and provide credibility to your arguments. Good luck with your research!