Sociology Writing Guide

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Luis A.  Avilés </B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Luis A. Avilés "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Sociology Writing Guide</B>   |   <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writing University Essays"><U>Writing University Essays</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id210.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Plagiarism"><U>Plagiarism</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Citing sources in APA style"><U>Citing sources in APA style</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad2c00dkelyh.gif"> <div> <B>Sociology Writing Guide</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id209.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writing University Essays"><U>Writing University Essays</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id210.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Plagiarism"><U>Plagiarism</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id211.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Citing sources in APA style"><U>Citing sources in APA style</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Sociology Writing Guide</I></div> <div> Most of the writing that you will do is in response to a question. Sometimes you will come up with your own question or topic, but often you will be responding to a question prepared by someone else. The following are a set of useful tips for answering the types of questions you will find on exams, homework, and essays. These tips are general guidelines that will ensure that, at the very least, you complete the fundamental task: answering the question!!! </div> <bR> <div> 1. Read the question and make certain that you understand what it is asking. If you are unsure, consult your peers, instructor, or a dictionary. If you do not know what is being asked, you will not give the correct answer. </div> <bR> <div> 2. Make sure that you address each part of the question. For example, many essay exams use multiple-part questions. You must answer all of the parts. A good practice is to number each of the parts of the question and cross the parts off as you answer them. Finally, refer back to the question often! </div> <bR> <div> 3. Only answer the question that is being asked. Brevity and clarity are essential to good writing. Superfluous information confounds your answer and steers you away from giving the correct information. One technique to avoid this is to begin your answer by restating the question. </div> <bR> <div> 4. Structure your answers according to the order that the questions are asked. Some question are set up in parts such as 1a., 1b., etc. Answer them in that order. This demonstrates clarity in thinking and makes it easier to evaluate your work. </div> <bR> <div> 5. A sociological answer should be comprised of two parts: 1) the conclusion and 2) some support of that conclusion (often, a statistic or research finding). Thus, each part of a question should be addressed both with a specific response and evidence that supports the response. The response, unless you are told to give your opinion, should come from some authority, not your reaction to the question. Answers that contain the words ‘I feel’, ‘I believe’, ‘I think’, etc. are almost always inadequate and incorrect. Often, they fail to even address the question. Finally, report what you found, not what you thought you would find but didn’t. </div> <bR> <div> 6. Your opinion and insights are important. Once you have responded to the questions and given support, it is fine –even encouraged– to state your own insights on the topic. This should be done at the end of the paper, though, so that it is clear that you understood the question and were familiar with the sociologically (scientifically) acceptable response. The reader usually enjoys this part the most, but it is annoying if this is your whole paper. </div> <bR> <div> 7. Use the spellchecker and any other easy device to eliminate silly, distracting mistakes. Also, proofread your paper out loud (if you can) or in your head. If things sound awkward to you, then they will sound very awkward to another person. Also, do not hesitate to submit a draft of a paper to your Instructor. Early feedback can save you from ugly surprises and disappointments. </div> <bR> <div> Finally, pay attention to all comments and feedback that you receive on papers. You will be surprised at the consistency in your errors if you fail to attend to constructive criticism. Do not make the same mistakes twice! </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>