Anthropology as a Kind of Writing

Clifford Geertz initiated a theoretical assumption where he emphasizes not only the idea of  translation but also the idea of ethnographic writing as a genre within literature.A key concept according to Alan Barnard is the thick description including ethnographic details,different informants interpretations,the ethnographer's interpretation etc. 

This approach is reflected in the collection Writing Culture (1986) edited by James Clifford and George E Marcus.Geertz's emphasis has led to a greater awareness of good and bad writing in Anthropology.It also sparked debate on the creative role of the anthropologist as a writer.However it also obscures the importance of the people and society under study putting undue focus on anthropologist.There is hardly any comparison of the description.