Principles of Sociology

Step 1 – Topic Selection: Review the three research paper topic selections below. Select one topic theme to serve as the basis for the critical review paper:

• Compare, contrast, and evaluate the effects of socialism versus capitalism. Analyze the differences in the two current systems in regards to its social, economic, political, educational, cultural, and health systems. Provide current data, statistics, and information by comparing two countries operating within the compared systems.
• Compare, contrast, and evaluate the family as a social institution. Explain the challenges to family life in the United States today. Analyze current data pertaining to traditional, blended, and extended families; contributing factors to divorce rates and the role of learned behavior through home and community environment.
• Compare, contrast, and evaluate the public education system in the United States and a foreign country of your choice. Discuss how the systems are similar and distinguish the differences. Provide current data, statistics, and information validated by relevant and meaningful resources.

The final draft of the critical review paper is an expansion of the material presented throughout the course and should represent student perspective blended with scholarly material.

Step 2 – Outline: Develop a formal outline to serve as a guide for the research project. A formal outline is an excellent writing tool to help discover, analyze, and organize the writing process. The formal outline should include the topic, purpose, thesis statement, and outline body. Use the following outline format as a guide for this assignment.

Formal Outline Format
Topic: Key statement describing topic selection. (Topic selection listed above – select one)

Thesis Statement: The central idea of the paper (should predict, control, and obligate)

I. Introduction

a. Attention getter: Grab the attention of the reading audience. Examples: startling statistics, stories, rhetorical question, quotation, scenario.
b. Reason to read: Why should the reader read the paper?
c. Thesis statement: Same as the thesis statement listed above
d. Credibility statement: What is connection and research to establish topic?

II. Transition – Main Point #1

a. Statement of first main point.
b. Idea of development for first main point
c. Support material (statistics, quotations, data, – cite sources)

III. Transition – Main Point # 2

a. Statement of second main point.
b. Idea of development for first main point
c. Support material (statistics, quotations, data, – cite sources)

IV. Transition – Main Point #3

a. Statement of third main point.
b. Idea of development for first main point
c. Support material (statistics, quotations, data, – cite sources)

V. Transition – Main Point #4 and above

a. Follow similar pattern as outlined above
b. Review the idea for each main point
c. Provide supporting material (statistics, quotation, data, – cite sources)

VI. Conclusion

a. Review the first main point
b. Review the second main point
c. Review the third main point (and subsequent main points)
d. Restate the thesis statement
e. Develop closure to finalize the paper

Any references to articles or texts must be properly cited in the text and listed on a reference page.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

• 1-2 page (approx. 300 words per page), not including title page or references page
• 1-inch margins
• Double spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman font
• Title page with topic and name of student
• References page (1 resource)