For your final essay you will first hand in an outline of your paper. The outline will include:
a) Your choice of a contemporary social issue formulated as a thesis statement.
“A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment
about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help
guide your writing and keep your argument focused” .http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis/
b) Brief description of the theoretical perspective(s) you will adopt for the purpose of your analysis, and an explanation as to why you
chose this lens.
c) Outline of the body of your essay. Each paragraph is presented in point form (2 or 3 sentences) and constructs a well rounded
argument. The flow of your critical analysis is obvious in its building toward a conclusion.
d) Brief description of each of your sources with appropriate APA references.
e) Present your outline to the class (5mins) (use PowerPoint, Prezi or other platform like it)
Part 2 – Critical Essay (40%)
2500 words (10 pages in length, not including reference pages, 12 font, Times New Roman))
Due: See Weekly Class Schedule
Your final essay will be a critical analysis of a contemporary social issue. You will provide your critique through the lens of a
relevant theoretical perspective/lens. You will provide peer reviewed scholarly evidence (at least 5 sources) that support and
challenge your perspective and/or analysis. This is done with the use of competing sociological paradigms or competing explanations
within one theoretical perspective. You may also use grey literature as long as the number of sources is reasonable and do not
outweigh the inclusion of scholarly evidence. Thus, by the end of your essay your position will be clear and concise, supported by
sociological research.
