Writing a sociology paper is not as scary as it sounds. Learning how to write papers, in general, is tough, but if you are reading this then you want to be good at writing your sociology papers, so I am going to tell you how.
You need to have an introduction that accurately defines what sociology means and why it matters. It should include the broadest definition of sociology first, followed by a more narrow or specific one later on. You must define terms without defining them too specifically—use the broadest possible definition for each term so that different people can understand it better. Basically, keep your audience in mind when writing your paper. This paragraph should focus on why studying society is important, using historical examples rather than personal ones because these are more universally relatable.
This is followed by a statement of your thesis and what you plan to prove. It must be short and succinct, but not too short that it doesn’t make sense. The first paragraph of your main body should include the strongest argument you are making about your topic, leading to the most important point first. This section should be at least three paragraphs long, including plenty of examples to back up your argument—the more specific these are, the better. Next comes another sentence or two on why this is important, using historical examples again because they are always good for making an argument contextualized. Finally, if you have room in this section, write one more solid paragraph summing up what has already been said so far before the conclusion of your essay.
The first sentence of the last paragraph of your main body should start by restating what you said in the first paragraph of the main body and then finish with why it matters. A good way to remember this is “so what” or some variation thereof, such as “So what does this all mean?” or “This means so what?” The final sentence of this section should be a concluding sentence telling the reader where you are going from here. Your conclusion must summarize everything that has been said and tie together your argument, without repeating yourself over and over again. It needs to explain how your topic relates to society as a whole and why it’s important. A couple of sentences summarizing at the end isn’t enough—include at least a final paragraph about how it relates to society and why we need to know this.
Writing your conclusion and following your outline will ensure that you write a good paper. You can also take breaks while writing if you get stuck or frustrated, which usually leads to recycled ideas and higher quality writing overall.
Structure for writing an academic essay:
- Introduction (I) – Define what sociology means and why it’s important (1-2 paragraphs)
- Your thesis (II) – State what you plan on proving (1 sentence)
- Your argument in the main body (III) of the paper using solid examples from past, current, or future studies that prove your point in relation to sociological theory/research/data. This should be at least three paragraphs long and should include a specific example before using more abstract evidence (3-5 paragraphs). More of your argument in the main body of the paper, but this time focusing on another point that proves why it’s important to learn about society as a whole (at least three paragraphs)
- Conclusion (IV) – Summarize what has already been said so far and re-state your thesis. If you have room, write one more concluding paragraph specifically about how your topic relates to society and we need to know this. (2-4 paragraphs)
- Recap and ending sentence summarizing where you are going from here (1 sentence).
- The article should end with a bibliography or works cited page. This should be done in MLA format.
In conclusion, writing an academic essay is less about the structure of the paper and more about its content. If you write a good thesis that makes sense to people, then it’s much easier for them to understand the rest of your argument because they will be engaged with how you got there in the first place. The introduction should also be engaging (which can be done by writing in an autobiographical style or including personal stories) so that readers are intrigued enough to keep reading. Most importantly, remember to always summarize what has already been said before moving on to your next point—don’t make readers feel lost in what you’re trying to say.
Sociology isn’t just for scientists anymore! There are many benefits to learning about society as a whole, which is why it should be taught in schools around the world. It teaches people how to think critically, reveals hidden truths about politics and society, helps us understand each other more, encourages diversity instead of looking down upon it, and is one of the most important skills anyone can have in modern society.
Thank you for reading! I hope that this article has taught you how to write a good essay without much trouble. Now go out there and show the world your writing talents!
