Dissertation Workshop 1 Essay Writing/Dissertation Planning John Solomos Department of Sociology.
Writing a sociology essay
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Transcript of Writing a sociology essay
Writing a Sociology essay
Introduction Main theory Criticisms Alternative theories/s Conclusion If the question asks you to use the
item. Use it!
Introduction
Re-state question What are you going to write about?
Main point
The main theory you are being asked to look at
Key names within the theory you are looking at
Key words/terminology Criticisms
Alternative point/s
Views which disagree with the main point
Conclusion
Summarise your essay Don’t write ‘the theory I most agree
with is…’ There is nothing in the mark scheme
giving credit for your personal opinions
Using material from item A and elsewhere, assess the contribution of functionalism to
our understanding of families and households
In this essay I will examine the contribution of Functionalist theorists such as Talcott Parsons and George Murdock and also examine opposing theories such as Marxism and Feminism.
Main point
What Functionalists think Differences between Murdock and
Parsons Use Item Key terms (nuclear family, functional
fit, organic analogy, norms, values etc..)
Criticisms – Ignores diversity, assumes family is always good etc..
Alternative point/s
Marxism – how it differs from Functionalist views – examples
Feminism – How it differs from Functionalist views - examples
Conclusion
In answering the question ‘assess etc…. Functionalists think …. But this view is contradicted by the views of Feminists and Marxists who think ….
Assess the Marxist contribution to our
understanding of the family