Guide to writing an AS Sociology essay

1. Writing a Sociology
essay

2.  Introduction
 Main theory
 Criticisms
 Alternative theories/s
 Conclusion
 If the question asks you to use the item. Use it!

3. Introduction
 Re-state question
 What are you going to write about?

4. 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

5. Alternative point/s
 Views which disagree with the main point

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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..

9. Alternative point/s
 Marxism – how it differs from Functionalist
views – examples
 Feminism – How it differs from Functionalist
views - examples

10. Conclusion
 In answering the question ‘assess etc….
Functionalists think …. But this view is
contradicted by the views of Feminists and
Marxists who think ….

11. Assess the Marxist contribution to
our understanding of the family