SO203 Week 2 Essay writing

SO203 Week 2Essay writingSarah.kennedy.2009@nuim.ieOffice hour: Tues @ 2 in B.2/4Sarahkennedytutorials.blogspot.comHow are essays assessed?How are essays assessed?Understanding & knowledge of concepts and theories

Use of module readings & learning resources

Evidence and analysis***

Structure and writing style

Example of excellent essay writing available under undergraduate achievements on the Department website.

Sociological writingWhen considering why a particular social phenomenon (e.g. discrimination on grounds such as race, gender or class the subject of this module) occurs, it is important to consider structure and agency:Agency?Structure?Sociological writingWhen considering why a particular social phenomenon (e.g. discrimination on grounds such as race, gender or class the subject of this module) occurs, it is important to consider structure and agency:Agency: People can and do choose how to act in a given situation.Structure: These choices are not made in isolation. Individuals are influenced by their current and past experiences of social forces in their lives (familial, cultural, organisational, societal, political, environmental).

Different theories in sociology tend to emphasise one side of this equation or the other or approach the balance between them in different ways.It is important not to overemphasise or ignore the other (see second page of Writing Resource 1).Understanding sociological theories and being able to compare their relative strengths and weaknesses in the context of what you are writing about will strengthen your writing.

pointersStructure and writing style is very important:Guide the reader through the essay using signaling/linking sentences and headings. A good introduction and central thesis/argument will also set up the direction of the essay!An essay usually begins broad, and becomes more specific through the use of examples/case studies. E.g. Background theoretical underpinnings case study. Pay attention to grammar and spelling.Use paragraphs.Avoid jargon (thesaurus) write clearly, but assertively.Make sure to reference!

Pointers ctd.

An essay is not a summary it is an argument:Use the active voice.Evaluate, compare and contrast theories (see page 22 of writing for sociology. Blooms Taxonomy (writing for sociology page 14):knowledge: the recall of specific itemscomprehension: can recall, but can do a little more (e.g. paraphrase, define, discuss to some extent)application: all of the above, but can take information of an abstract nature and use it in concrete situationsanalysis: can break down a communication into its constituent parts, revealing the relationships among themsynthesis: can pull together many disorganised elements or parts so as to form a wholeevaluation: makes judgements about the value of materials or methods. Blooms taxonomy Examples in writing for sociology pg. 14

Essay titlesEx 1&2:In this essay, you are invited to discuss contemporary sociological perspectives relating to theories of class or race/ethnicity or gender and their implications for understanding processes of inequality. In your answeryou should refer to class or race or gender inequality in Irish society in comparative aspect with other European societies.

Ex 3:Does the liberalisation of Higher Education funding reinforce social inequalities? A comparative evaluation of Ireland and the UK.