1.
Summary Outline
Using 6-10 sociological bullet points/headings, summarize the required reading. I expect these to be different than chapter and/or subheading titles and not just those topics covered in the multiple-choice questions. This is YOUR summary of main points, not mine or the author’s. Be sure the summary components of your written assignments are in outline form. Please use major headings/bullet points and provide more detailed and specific information underneath those headings. I only expect this section to be about one page long. This section should be shorter than the application section.
Tips to help identify major points in the reading:
1. a) Ask yourself: what is the point of this section/chapter? What is this section/chapter generally about?
2. b) Pay attention to the titles of the chapters and the subheadings within chapters. These generally provide clues about the point the author is trying to convey.
3. c) Some students want to discuss specific people, beliefs, behaviors or instances. Don’t do that! Rather, ask yourself: what general point is the author making by referring to these people or this instance? You can use the specific people, instances, etc. as more specific information underneath the headings, but focus on the sociological point as your main bullet point.
4. d) Use the major points you’ve identified in your summary to discuss further in your application section.
1. Application
For maximum points, have three substantive paragraphs in which you do the following in each paragraph:
• Choose major sociological points from the required reading. Devote one paragraph to each of the major points you wish to discuss.
• Begin each paragraph discussing the major point from the reading in 3-4 sentences. Be sure your discussion is clear enough so someone not familiar with the reading can understand the point you are discussing.
• After you discuss the point, apply the point to something outside of the reading. The application is the most important part of this section. Feel free to apply the material to your own life, people you know, something you’ve seen in the media, or material you’ve learned about in other courses or reading other books. For example, if you are discussing a point that says boys get in trouble more at school than girls, illustrate how this point applies to you, someone you know, something you’ve seen in the media, or something you’ve read about in another course. Be sure you explain and elaborate your point so there is a clear connection between your thoughts and the point from the reading you are discussing.
Important Note: DO NOT use a paragraph in the application section that is similar to our weekly discussion board topics. Choose original points from the reading to discuss in your writing assignments.
What do I mean by “sociological?” I’m interested in theories, concepts, main arguments, general findings, and patterns related to social behavior, relationships, and arrangements. I am NOT interested in specific numbers, particular people, or specific words someone uses to refer to someone else. What does the number tell us, i.e. what is the pattern that is illustrated? What does the discussion of these specific people tell us? Some examples:
• I do not care that 95% of people experience X and 5% of people experience Y. I care that more people experience X than Y.
• I do not care that Sam said, did, or believes A. I care that Sam represents a general pattern that people typically say, do, or believe A.
• For purposes of this class, it is less important whether you agree that what Jackie did, said or believes is right/wrong or moral/immoral. I am interested in how you can apply the general finding rather than in a value judgement.
• I do not care what terminology is used to refer to cool kids at a particular school. I am interested in general divisions between different groups.
Example Format for All Writing Assignments:
Name
Writing Assignment number
Summary Outline (this section should be around 1 page in length)
1. Main Point
– Specific information about main point (this part should be several lines)
2. Main Point
– Specific information about main point (this part should be several lines)
3. Main Point
– Specific information about main point (this part should be several lines)
4. Main Point
– Specific information about main point (this part should be several lines)
5. Main Point
– Specific information about main point (this part should be several lines)
6. Main Point
– Specific information about main point (this part should be several lines)
Application (There should be a total of three paragraphs)
Discussion of first main point from the reading. Application of point by providing an example from another class, something you read, something in the media, or something in your own life.
Discussion of second main point from the reading. Application of point by providing an example from another class, something you read, something in the media, or something in your own life.
Discussion of third main point from the reading. Application of point by providing an example from another class, something you read, something in the media, or something in your own life.