The Field Observation Essay is an assignment where I have to choose an online community, like a social media page, website, hashtag feed, discussion forum, blog, or message board, and observe the people in that community. I’ll be analyzing their behavior, demeanor, and how they interact with each other. The goal of the essay is to identify trends and patterns in the online community while comparing different perspectives using a secondary source. This is a non-participant observation, meaning I won’t be interacting with anyone in the community like I did in the Transcultural Interview. Instead, I’ll just be observing and recording how people interact and live in that space. The essay will also include a commentary section where I reflect on my experience of observing this community.



step 1 Subject Description

I decided to focus on an online community called “Snatched Gang” for my Field Observation Essay. This community is all about supporting and motivating each other to lose weight. They have special trainers who help members achieve their fitness goals. Since their focus is on personal transformation and weight loss, I thought it would be interesting to observe how people in this community interact, share their progress, and encourage one another. This became my main topic for the essay.

step 2 Observation Field Notes

After observing the “Snatched Gang” community, I took notes on how the members interacted with each other, focusing on how they uplifted and supported one another, as well as any conflicts that arose. I paid attention to the language they used, how they shared their struggles and successes, and how the trainers and members motivated each other. The goal was to understand the dynamics of this specific group and see what patterns emerged in their interactions, whether positive or negative. These notes helped me get a clearer picture of how the community functions and what makes it work for its members.


step 3 Field Observation Essay

For the final part of my assignment, I’ll be writing a 4-5 page (1000-1250 word) essay using my field notes from the observation and outside sources. The essay will describe, analyze, and draw conclusions about the “Snatched Gang” online community. I’ll focus on the relationship between this community and society, especially by comparing the different experiences within the group to highlight the sense of unity that develops. After completing the observation, I’ll include a commentary section where I reflect on my process of observing the community and share my understanding of it as a whole. This will give deeper insight into how the community works, what makes it effective, and how it connects to larger societal themes.