This document provides guidelines and examples for outlining a paper on a subculture. It begins by outlining the proper structure for a topic outline using headings and subheadings. It then gives a possible outline for a paper on subcultures, with sections on who/what the subculture is, its history, core beliefs/practices, how others view it, current issues, how social media is used, and its local presence. The document concludes by listing additional details that could be included and providing example citations for further research on the BDSM subculture.

1. Mahmoud Alaysh
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Mahmoud Alaysh
Mahmoud Alaysh
Mahmoud Alaysh
Mahmoud Alaysh
What the Outline Should Look Like
For the subculture paper outline, you will use a proper heading
and MLA 2009 format and employ a topic outline, with short
phrases and citations.
The parts of an outline are typically labeled using this order:
I. Main idea

2. A. Subtopic
1. Detail of subtopic
2. Another detail
a. Related idea about the detail
b. Another related idea
(1) Supporting fact or related matter
(2) Perhaps another supporting fact
(a) Micro-detail
(b) Another micro-detail
B. Second subtopic
1. Detail of second subtopic
2. Another detail
a. Supporting information for this second detail
b. Added supporting information related to second detail
In general, you may find that you will have different amounts of
details for some topics and subtopics than for others. That is
acceptable; just seek to keep your descriptions in balance, not
overemphasizing some topics at the expense of others.
When you have a part I, there should be at least a part II, and
possibly a part III.
When you have an A, there should also be at least a B, and so
on. Usually no element should occur singly; when one
supporting point is listed, there should be at least one more at
that level.
Below is a possible rough outline for the subculture paper:
Introduction with thesis, then:
I. Who or what is the subculture?
II. What is the history/background?
III. What are the core beliefs/practices/ideals? What do they do
together? Subculture-specific language/jargon/uniform/dress?
IV. What do others think about them?
V. What are current issues, problems, or concerns that are
affecting the subculture now?
VI. How do social media and media come into play for this
subculture? How are they represented/misrepresented in the
media? How do they use social media for recruitment? What

3. are the key blogs/websites? How are they portrayed in pop
culture?
VII. What is the subculture’s presence on campus? In Chico?
Northern California?
Also keep in mind: Who are the role models in this subculture?
Famous members of this subculture? Former members?
(Eventually your conclusion…)
OUTLINE/GUIDELINES FOR THE PAPER:
Make sure your outline is VERY detailed - as if I have never
heard of this subculture before! Since you’ll be writing about
your own experience and understanding of this subculture, as
well as describing the culture from others’ perspectives, you
need to use both a first person and third person voice
throughout the paper.
On the outline you will include facts, data, details, and
citations. Consider this a working draft, just without the
complete sentences.
Throughout the outline/paper, include information from your
interview with your subculture informant, expert, and/or
scholar.
Here are some more details you can use to structure your paper:
III. Core Beliefs/Practices/Ideals:
· Describe some of the worldviews, beliefs, values, attitudes,
etc. shared by members of this subculture. Consider whether
they share a common way of thinking, philosophy, ideology,
religion, etc. (e.g. superstitions, discrimination, common
goals…).
Cultural Rules:
· Discuss several examples of this group’s cultural rules, and
possible unwritten rules (this might be harder to uncover, as
unwritten rules are those which people don’t readily recognize).
· Describe some of the status differences that exist in this
subculture, or examples of stratification.
· Discuss any gender-related issues present in this community.

4. Communication:
· Consider whether this subculture uses specialized
terminology, codes, jargon or slang that is unique to this group.
If so, provide several examples with a brief description of each.
http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/mwaters/Anth%202/anth2.ethn
ography.html
Interesting Links to Explore
(Keep in mind that not all of these fit the requirements for the
paper for this class. We have different guidelines for the topic
itself and we are using 2009 MLA.)
A sample with great details on organizing a subculture paper:
http://www.socresonline.org.uk/14/1/2.html
Punk:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45419101/Making-Sense-of-Punk-
Subcultures-in-the-Neoliberal-United-States
Prison:
http://sociologyindex.com/prison_subculture.htm
Goths:
http://www.gothicsubculture.com/copyright.php
Rave culture in Lithuania:
http://www.anthrobase.com/Txt/S/Sliavaite_K_01.htm
Surfers:
http://www.lajollasurf.org/srf_thes.html
Graffiti culture:
http://www.graffiti.org/faq/werwath/werwath.html
Rave-- Technoshamanism:
http://www.as.uky.edu/academics/departments_programs/Anthro
pology/Anthropology/FacultyResearch/Faculty/ScottHutson/Doc
uments/Hutson%20Pop.%20Music%20and%20Society%201999.

5. pdf
Sample outline starting on the next page:
Student Bernard (make sure to have a running head/page
numbers)
BDSM, Not So Crazy After All
BDSM is a very taboo subject. Mainly because of its content
and people tend to associate it with violence. BDSM stands for
bondage, discipline/dominance, submission/sadism, masochism.
It is a type of sexual encounter that many people favor.
However, BDSM is viewed in a negative light and many people
think that those who participate in this activity have some type
of psychological disorder. In reality, it is a way of life that
people identify with. This community is no more inclined to
psychological disorders than the general public.
Who or what is the BDSM subculture?
1. According to Pamela Connolly, an expert in sexuality, states
that “BDSM is a collective term that refers to erotic behaviors
involving bondage and discipline, dominance and submission,
sadism and masochism, and/or slave and master relationships”
(Connolly 80).
2. Their sexual interests lie in this type of relationship.
3. There is a dominant partner and a submissive partner. These
partners generally keep the same roles, with about 4% that
switch roles (Stiles 164).
4. According to Freeman, who works at University of
California, Davis, “sadomasochism is a sexually ‘minor’
practice, an erotic dialectic between two or more people, that
ostensibly focuses on the ritualized exchange of power” (35).
What is the history/background?
1. BDSM can be traced back to Ancient Greece.
2. Marquis de Sade wrote about S/M in his fictional writings
during the 18th century in France.
a. According to Sade, “S/M also shuttles (or plays at shuttling)
between the modern time of the French Revolution and the non-
(or pre-+ modern time of the ancient régime” (Freeman 35).

6. b. Sade reinvented sex during a revolutionary time.
What are the core beliefs/practices/ideals? What do they do
together?
1. BDSM is practiced when both partners are consensual about
the arrangements.
2. There is generally one dominant (Dom) and one submissive
(Sub) partner in the relationship.
3. Each role is often played by the same partner.
a. Stiles found in her study that only 4% of participants
switched roles (164).
What do others think about them?
1. This group is largely misrepresented.
2. There is much stigma behind this subculture.
a. “The stigma results from cultural evaluations or labeling of
BDSM as deviant” (Stiles 159).
b. The general public is not accepting or knowledgeable about
this lifestyle.
c. Many people see it as an act of violence.
d. It is also seen as something that people with psychological
disorders do, which is completely false.
e. Many people associate BDSM as a result of post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD).
f. People also think that being a part of this subculture is a
result from childhood abuse.
3. This stigma leads to secrecy and concealment of this
lifestyle.
a. Stigma is “an attribute that is deeply discrediting to an
individual” so many people go through much struggle to try and
conceal this part of their life from others (Stiles 159).
b. They do not wish to feel the judgments that many people
entail about this lifestyle, so they hide it.
4. Many people think that BDSM is just about the dominant
partner or feeling pain.
a. It is about the sexual activities that a person finds attractive.
i. That includes the way someone feels when they dominate
another person, or the way a person feels when they are

7. dominated.
b. Some people are attracted to the idea of pushing their limits
sexually and painfully, but they enjoy the feelings of the actions
and do not considerate as harmful.
What are current issues, problems, or concerns that are affecting
the subculture now?
1. The current main issues affecting the BDSM subculture are
the general misunderstandings about this lifestyle.
a. Many people view it as a result of past trauma, but it is really
just a way of life that many people prefer.
b. They also see people of this lifestyle of having psychological
disorders, when in fact, people of this subculture are no more
subject to psychological disorders than the general public
(Connolly).
How do social media and media come into play for this
subculture?
1. This subculture has been in the media a lot more in the past
couple of years.
2. There have been a few popular songs that talk about engaging
in the BDSM lifestyle.
a. Rihanna’s “S&M” and Lady Gaga’s song “Teeth”.
3. BDSM has also been prevalent in literature.
a. The first being seen in Marquis de Sade’s novels in the mid-
18th century.
b. The most popular and has been the center of much attention
in the media recently is E L James’ series 50 Shades of Grey.
i. This series depicts a BDSM relationship.
c. The Story of O by Pauline Réage is a central work in BDSM
literature.
4. BDSM also has a very big following on the internet.
a. There are many social media websites and blogs that are
devoted to the BDSM lifestyle.
b. This is a place where members of this community can talk
and interact.
c. They are also able to meet other members of this community
and find relationships this way.

8. d. There is a huge cyber-support system for this subculture.
i. Reddit has a very large BDSM community, as well as
BlogSpot.
What is the subculture’s presence on campus? In Chico?
Northern California?
1. There is a big prevalence of the BDSM subculture in
Northern California, specifically the Bay Area and San
Francisco.
2. People are more “out” about this lifestyle in areas that have
higher queer populations and are socially more accepting of
taboos.
Also keep in mind: Who are the role models in this subculture?
Any famous members of this subculture?
1. The most famous members of this subculture stem from E L
James’ novels 50 Shades of Grey.
a. This book was on the New York Bestsellers list and has been
a hot topic in the media because no other bestsellers have been
about a subject that is this racy.
b. This book is how many people know about the BDSM
subculture.
c. As a result, BDSM is being more accepted by the general
public because more people can understand the practices and
functioning of these types of relationships.
BDSM is a subculture that is taboo and carries much stigma
with it. In the past it was seen a sick way of sexual affection. In
reality, it is a lifestyle that many people choose because they
are sexually attracted to these types of sanctions. BDSM used to
be a psychological disorder, but it has been discovered that
people who associate with this lifestyle have the same amounts
of psychological disorders as the general public. More light is
starting to be shed on this subculture and the stigma is being
lifted and the general public is warming to this topic. Hopefully
within the next few years people of the BDSM subculture will
not have to fear judgment for their lifestyle and will be accepted
and not have to live secret and concealing lives.
Works Cited

9. Browne, Kath, and Jason Lim, and Gavin Brown. Geographies
of Sexualities: Theory, Practices, and Politics. Burlington:
Ashgate. 2007. Print.
Connolly, Pamela. “Psychological Functioning of
Bondage/Domination/Sado-Masochism (BDSM) Practicioners.”
Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality 18.1 (2006). 79-120.
Web. 27 June 2013.
Freeman, Elizabeth. “Turn the Beat Around: Sadomasochism,
Temporality, History.” Differences: A Journal of Feminist
Cultural Studies. 19.1 (2008): 33-70. Web. 27 June 2013.
Stiles, Beverly, and Robert Clark. “BDSM: a Subcultural
Analysis of Sacrifices and Delights.” Deviant Behavior 32.2
(2011): 158-189. Web. 27 June 2013.
Stockwell, Fawna, Diana Walker, and John Eshleman.
“Measures of Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward
Mainstream and BDSM Sexual Terms Using the IRAP and
Questionnaire with BDSM/Fetish and Student Participants.”
Psychological Record 60.2 (2010): 307-324. Web. 27 June 2013.
PLEASE USE THIS Articles
1-cBikers Against Child Abuse make abuse victims feel safe
http://www.azcentral.com/news/azliving/articles/2012/07/13/20
120713bikers-against-child-abuse-make-abuse-victims-feel-
safe.html
2-
Thompson, William, ‘Don’t Call Me ‘‘Biker Chick’’: Women
Motorcyclists Redefining Deviant Identity’, Deviant Behavior,
2012, 33: 58–71. Print
Thompson, a professor in sociology and criminal justice and an

10. author of a number of books has offered very clear insights into
how the society perceives the bikers culture and the reaction
from the bikers themselves. In this article, Thompson shows
that the media has successfully been able to stereotype the
bikers and the women in this league as feminists and sex
objects. Their roles in the sect has been viewed in a demeaning
perspective. However, as Thompson shows in this article, most
women who engage in this sport have a deviant mentality that is
designed to change the way the society perceives them. They
want to ride their own bikes or others’ just to experience the
thrill associated with the same and prove that they can also be
able to dispel the pressures associated with negativity
associated with bikers. According to these ‘deviant chicks’,
riding of motorcycles is largely taking root among the modern
society and as thus, it should not be stereotyped or limited to
the Biker’s culture.
3-
Thompson, William, ‘Pseudo-deviance and the ‘‘new biker’’
subculture: hogs, blogs, leathers, and lattes’, Deviant Behavior,
2009, 30: 89-114. Print
In his second article, Thompson has also gone deeper in making
the people understand that the culture of bikers is slowly being
eroded by a new breed of ‘bikers’. The new form of bikers
involve people who do biking just for the thrill of it. Thompson
shows that even though the ‘new bikers’ demonstrate qualities
that are distinctly different from the other ‘outlawed bikers’
there are certain characteristics which have persisted. Riding in
throngs, defiant attitudes and a noted lack of concern about
what people perceive of them are among those persistent
characteristics. However, the new bikers go around having their
business mainly because of the fun they derive from the same.
They do not have any close cultural affiliations and norms that
guide them. Thompson notes that even if these two cultures may

11. seem similar, the ‘new bikers’ do not exhibit the intricate
details that the other ‘outlawed bikers’ have. He shows that the
society should be able to treat these people differently contrary
to the common perception by the media that all bikers are
outlaws and outcasts in the society.
4-
Austin, D. Mark, Gagne Patricia, Orend Angela.
Commodification and popular imagery of the biker in American
culture: the journal of popular culture. 2010. Vol. 43(5).
Pp.942-963
Available at:
< http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1540-
5931.2010.00781.x/abstract;jsessionid=85DF5164C16CCD99B6
A5CA951988C9FD.f04t03?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&
userIsAuthenticated=false>
The authors of this journal are writers of popular cultures. In
this article they have written about the commodification of the
biker culture in America. The bikers’ culture has an economic
aspect. This article is relevant to this topic because it addresses
the economic aspect of the bikers’ culture. The authors describe
the commodification of motorbike culture and how it is
trending. The culture has attracted investors who would wish to
benefit from motorbikes because it has become very popular in
America.
This article is useful to this topic because it shows that biker
culture is varied and that one aspect of the culture is that it has
evolved and it is being used for economic purposes. Biker
culture refers to motorcycle clubs or gangs. These are groups of
people who love motorbikes. These groups are normally linked
with types of motorbikes that they have, riding and regional

12. clubs. When dealing with motorcycle riders, it is very difficult
to pin down one particular culture. They are varied and they
include motorbike enthusiasts, motorbike ministries and
lifestyle motorcyclists’ culture. Motorbike enthusiasts include
the manufacturers of riding clubs, regional clubs, rights
organization and sports clubs. The manufacturers of these clubs
value motorbikes and always join hands to come up with one
type of motorcycles that they will use for their club. They are
the investors in motorbikes and they feel that they need to gain
economically from motorbikes. They provide the initial capital
for the clubs and support them with the aim of gaining
financially. The enthusiasts always have great passion for riding
and the whole culture of motorbikes. However, they do not
participate in races but rather, they organize the races. They
always see them through so that the races become a success.
5-
Barker, Thomas. Crimes of the Big Four Motorcycle Gangs.
Journal of criminal justice. 2009. Vol. 37(2). Pp. 174-179
Available at:
<
http://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeejcjust/v_3a37_3ay_3a_3ai
_3a2_3ap_3a174-179.htm>
The author of this article talks about the main gangs in
motorbike culture. This article is relevant to the topic because
he is able to identify two groups of motorbike riders. The
conventional and deviant groups are the two motorbike groups.
He notes that the conventional groups are not involved in
criminal activities
This article is helpful to this topic because it tries to
differentiate the two groups of motorbike riders. Motorbike

13. clubs, which are conventional, help to improve the standards
and safety of riders. They advocate for the use of helmets to
avoid serious injuries or even death during accidents. Regional
clubs of bikers are those that are found in a specific region
because riders from that region want to have a sense of
belonging. The ministries are more of a combination between
the enthusiasts and lifestyle motorcyclists. They include
associations and riding clubs that are usually spread all over the
country. These are the groups of riders who come together to
spread the culture of motorbike’s. They also handle the affairs
of motorbikes on behalf the riders. They are usually the voice of
the riders. However, the ministries are varied. Riders who
support safety on the roads form these groups. They are bike
riders who use the riding as a recreational activity. The
associations make them to have control and educate other riders
on how to be safe on the roads. They also organize races and
participate in them. They usually come together from a
particular region to form regional groups. These conventional
groups do not engage in any criminal activity. This is because
they only use motorbikes as recreational tools. They have other
jobs that they do. However, there are other groups who engage
in criminal activities. They normally form gangs. The main
gangs in America are “Bandidos”, “Hells angels” and the
“Pagans”. They are all motorbike clubs with international
connections. They are mostly involved in criminal activities.
6-
Hopper, Colombus.B, Moore, Johnny. Hell on Wheels: The
outlaw motorcycle gangs. Journal of American culture.
Vol.6(2). 2004. Pp. 58-64
Available at:
< http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1542-
734X.1983.0602_58.x/abstract>

14. These two authors write about the motorbike culture. Their
major focus is on motorbike gangs. They describe motorbike
groups and their objectives. This article is relevant to this paper
because the two authors talk about the outlaw gangs in
motorbike culture. They describe in detail about these outlaw
gangs.
This article is helpful to this topic because it relates motorbike
culture with outlaw gangs. In motorbike culture, there are those
who are called outlaw riders. These are normally offenders
because they do not observe the rules set on roads. The outlaws
usually form gangs and cause a lot of mayhem on roads. This is
because they believe that they are the road warriors. Most of the
time , the outlaws always find themselves being arrested by the
police for violation of traffic rules and other offences on the
road. The outlaws are considered to be illegal gangs. This is
because they engage in criminal activities, ranging from robbery
to selling drugs. These outlaw gangs use women to camouflage
their activities. This is because they are less likely to be
suspected to be criminals as compared to men. The outlaw
gangs are usually spread all over the country. The gangs have
their rules which every member has to follow. The organization
of these groups is that they are always affiliated to a mother
gang. The mother gangs are the ones, which give rise to the
other smaller outlaw gangs. The mother gangs usually govern
these small gangs. Therefore, the small outlaw gangs must
follow the strict traditions of the mother gang. Their activities
mainly revolve around crime and drug selling.
7-
Rogers, Jim. Investment Bikers: On the road with Jim Rogers.
Kirkus reviews. 1994. Vol.1 (12). Pp. 120- 130
Rogers, a retired millionaire from Wall Street at the age of 37,

15. set off to tour the world with his motorcycle. He is an
enthusiast who wants to view the economic situation around the
world in reference to motorbikes. Rogers’ article is relevant
with the theme bikers’ culture. This is because he is a
motorcycle enthusiast and tours the world with his motorbike.
Rogers’ article shows that biker culture is varied and that one
aspect of the culture is being a motorbike enthusiast. Biker
culture refers to motorcycle clubs or gangs. These are groups of
people who love motorbikes. These groups are normally linked
with types of motorbikes that they have, riding and regional
clubs. When dealing with motorcycle riders, it is very difficult
to pin down one particular culture. They are varied and they
include motorbike enthusiasts, motorbike ministries and
lifestyle motorcyclists’ culture. Motorbike enthusiasts include
the manufacturers of riding clubs, regional clubs, rights
organization and sports clubs. The manufacturers of these clubs
value motorbikes and always join hands to come up with one
type of motorcycles that they will use for their club. They are
the investors in motorbikes and they feel that they need to gain
economically from motorbikes. They provide the initial capital
for the clubs and support them with the aim of gaining
financially. The enthusiasts always have great passion for riding
and the whole culture of motorbikes. However, they do not
participate in races but rather, they organize the races. They
always see them through so that the races become a success.