Paper short abstract:

Focusing on emotions, I consider how anthropologists may need to (re-)present findings so as to evoke appropriately the imaginative processes involved, from experience to publication, for themselves, their informants and ensuing audiences. .

Paper long abstract:

Imagination is central to the production of anthropological findings, from original experience to 'writing up'. My examples are of emotions, as conveyed by informants through action or recall, experienced also by researchers - and changing over time - and that finally must be transmuted into a form enabling appropriate evocations by readers and audiences.

From Malinowski on, anthropologists attempting new theoretical perspectives have had to develop new genres of narrative appropriate to their choice of ethnography and its analysis. How should we present findings centred on emotions? I consider some different possibilities, with examples including some from radio and TV.