WRITING ESSAYS

 

WHAT IS A SOCIOLOGY ESSAY?

  •  It's an extended piece of writing to answer a question about a sociological issue or debate. A formal structure is expected, of:
  •   Introduction
    • Separate paragraphs for the main points
    •   Reasoned conclusion

HOW MUCH SHOULD BE WRITTEN?

 Count the points, and allow time for planning as well as writing.

WHEN IS A DATA RESPONSE QUESTION AN ESSAY?

 When there are a lot of marks and the answer will be for more than twenty minutes. What makes it different from an essay is that you have to interpret and apply knowledge from provided sources.

PLANNING AN ESSAY

 

  •  Interpret the question, a critical discussion of types will likely be required.
  •  Decide what is wanted and what opportunities there are for demonstrating what you know.  
  • Typical frameworks:
    • Assessing different approaches, eg Marxist, feminist and functional approaches to family life.
    •   Presenting arguments for and against a view expressed in the question.
    •   Identifying an issue and seeing what each perspective says about it, eg compare and contrast Marxist and New Right perspectives on the role of the state in society.

WRITING AN ESSAY

 Have a clear framework for a full answer. Don't necessarily write all you know, but provide a balanced response to the main issue.

 The Introduction

  •  Keep it short, and say what you intend to do in the answer, which might mean explaining the question.

 The Main Points

  •  Develop a series of arguments which link together so that the whole thing is coherent, unfolding in a logical way. Don't just list relevant points. Follow through on the plan. Support arguments with evidence where possible.

 Conclusion

  •  Don't repeat the arguments. Refer back to the question and state a final, reasoned position on the main issue.  Possibly raise new issues about what might or might not change in the future.

QUALITY OF LANGUAGE

 Usual writing laws, style, relevance, coherence and well organised.

GETTING GOOD MARKS

  •  Revise
  •  Learn arguments rather than essays
  •  Practice the real thing
  •  Make critical points to get evaluation points. Think about making a critical comment at the end of every paragraph or whenever you mention a study.
  • Frameworks are usually determined by the command words in the question.
  • Mini essays mean you have to take the provided information and combine it with your own to get the top marks.
  • Don't write in report form with subheadings. Don't write in note form.
  • If asked to compare two viewpoints, you can outline what each says about it, then  say if they're similar or different.
  • Listing the main arguments is a good way to do a plan. If you can't do a plan, don't choose the question.
  • When revising, trying to list the main points will show the gaps in your knowledge.

 

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