abstract!!!

[theyellowhobbit]

Edit: Take 2
What is purity? Anthropologists have only started to investigate this question within the past century. Most work on this subject comes in the form of ethnographical studies of living cultures. But what about purity in the past? Can we study this from an archaeological perspective? Thus far, this is something that has rarely been attempted by archaeologists, although it certsainly is possible. This thesis addresses the problem of the lack of attention paid by archaeologists to purity, and attempts to rectify the situation by creating an archaeology of purity that can be used universally.

Beyond that, this thesis uses Judaism as a case study for the archaeology of purity. It addresses the question: what were purity beliefs and rituals in early Judaism, and how can we study this from an archaeological perspective? A look at the historical and archaeological evidence can provide us with a balanced picture. The historical evidence includes Jewish law, as well as extra-legal sources. The archaeological evidence is three miqva’ot (ritual baths) from ancient Palestine. After examining the evidence, we conclude that there is, in fact, heterodoxy in bathing practices in early Judaism.


How does that sound? It's 187 words, and the guidelines say the abstract should be 100-200 words. So this fits.

Comments

[ploni-bat-ploni.livejournal.com]

Sounds great! My only mild criticism is the phrase "anthropologist have only started to investigate this question within the past century.". It suggests that Anthropology is a far older science but that Anthropologists have only "noticed" purity issues for the past 100 years or so. Fact is, that Anthropology itself, as a science and academic discipline, is no older than 150 years, so that statement might read a bit odd.

Well done for fitting it all in!!

[sen-ichi-rei.livejournal.com]

You're right, however I'm not sure how to rephrase it so I'm probably leaving it as is for now.

[ploni-bat-ploni.livejournal.com]

Ok, fair enough :-) I wouldn't know how to rephrase it either, and most readers wouldn't pick up on it anyway :-)

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

Very articulate and interesting-sounding! (which, ironically isn't a very articulate way of saying that....)
Nicely done, in the middle of an all-nighter, no less!
Ah, the spice of pressure and last-minutedness.

Good luck finishing!

[miss-yt.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's nice. You take a big question, explain why it is important, and how you intend to look at the subject. And, wow, you can actually write pretty well. :)

I myself have done the anthro thesis thing, so I know what you're going through. You seem to be off to a good start, though. With the writing. I assume you have already done the research bits.

[arctic-alpine.livejournal.com]

looking good! glad your finally almost there. a few stylistic things, I've put my two cents in CAPS but feel free to disregard if not helpful. keep in mind i haven't read your thesis so I don't know if my changes make this less accurate an abstract.

What is purity? Anthropologists have only started to investigate this question within the past century. Most work on this subject comes in the form of ethnographical studies of living cultures. But HOW DID PEOPLE UNDERSTAND PURITY IN THE PAST? Can we study this from an archaeological perspective? Thus far, this is something that has rarely been attempted by archaeologists, although it certsainly is possible. This thesis addresses the [DELETED] lack of attention paid by archaeologists to purity, and attempts to rectify the situation by creating an archaeology of purity that can be used universally.

[DELETED] this thesis uses Judaism as a case study for the archaeology of purity. It addresses the question: what were purity beliefs and rituals in early Judaism, and how can we study this from an archaeological perspective? A look at the historical and archaeological evidence can provide us with a balanced picture. The historical evidence includes Jewish law, as well as extra-legal sources. The archaeological evidence is three miqva’ot (ritual baths) from ancient Palestine. After examining the evidence, we conclude that there is, in fact, heterodoxy in bathing practices in early Judaism.

[sen-ichi-rei.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Those edits do, in fact, work. Now if only I could write my chapter 5....

[maric23.livejournal.com]

Bleh... semi conscious and typing this for the third time. Damn computer.

Generally good, just one or two recs. It's been my experience that the overuse of rhetorical questions in an abstract is frowned upon. Here is the place to assert your conclusions, state the issues you're taking you, and what you prove. No ambiguity, no vagueness, no question. I'd particularly try and remove the "But" and "Beyond that" both of which read as awkward. Nice, but could be tightened up and polished. In general with an abstract, if you can delete words without losing meaning, get rid of em.

[sen-ichi-rei.livejournal.com]

Of course, I've already handed it in by now. I did end up taking out the "but" and "beyond that."

I generally use rhetorical questions to sort of trick me into writing. They give me direction. In theory I should take them out afterwards. But it was major crunch time this afternoon.

[maric23.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the delay.