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Writing in the Social Sciences Essay Assignment

Purpose: In this essay, you will identify and discuss a problem based on one or more social trends, and you will offer a solution or a number of solutions. For instance, reports show that four in ten couples remarry in America. Perhaps, in this case, one might offer solutions to making marriages last longer. Getting Started: You will begin by choosing a social trend in which you see a problem that you would like to solve. Choose your “problem” from the Pew Research Social & Demographic Trends Center. Thesis: Your thesis for this essay should be persuading your audience how you will go about promoting change or correcting the problem you have identified. A prong or serial thesis often works well for these types of essays. An umbrella thesis is possible, but be sure you explain why. Example thesis: Many children suffer long-term consequences of bullying, but the problem can be remedied through educating the parents, encouraging a community atmosphere, and implementing a peer mediation program. Organization:

● First paragraph: Introduce the problem, closing the first paragraph with your thesis

● Second paragraph: Elaborate on the problem. Provide background information on the trend and the problem at hand. This should entail research ONLY from library databases, such as Opposing Viewpoints, Gale Virtual Reference Library, or Academic Search Complete.

● Third through fifth paragraphs: Explain your solution(s) to the problem. You do not have to write three body paragraphs, but you do need to be detailed in your approach, and the solutions should be mainly your ideas. Additionally, the solutions, need to be logical and viable. Think and describe how one would implement the solution. For example, abstract ideas, such as gaining more peace and love in the world, are not viable solutions. Concrete solutions, such as a return-to-work program or half-way house, are more viable.

● Final paragraph: Rephrase your thesis. Provide the reader with a look to the future or a call to action. Research & Documentation: Your essay will contain short quotations or paraphrases from two credible articles. These articles must come from a library database, such as Opposing Viewpoints, Gale Virtual Reference Library, or Academic Search Complete. You may use Pew Research Social & Demographic Trends Center (where this assignment started) as a third source, but you must also cite two sources from two of the library databases in addition to it.

Documentation for both in-text and end citations should be in APA style. You can retrieve APA citations from the library databases; however they are not always 100% correct. Check your citations against good resources for APA style, such as Purdue OWL and SPC’s Guide on Citations. Ask your instructor whether s/he would like a cover page and/or abstract or any particular nuances related to APA documentation. For assistance with research, be sure to consult with a campus librarian, or visit the state-wide research help service, AskALibrarian.org. Audience: Write for an educated audience, ages 16-65, meaning with such a wide audience that you should not assume that your readers know everything you do, or that you know everything your readers do. Write consistently in third-person point of view (i.e., avoid I, me, my, we, us, our, you, your). Use academic, formal prose containing no slang, contractions, jargon, or gender-biased language. Concerning that last limitation, make sure your nouns and pronouns agree; choose plural subjects over singular subjects (e.g., use individuals instead of individual).

Length: 700-800 words.