Penn Professors on Writing in Sociology

Dr. Annette Lareau

About the Professor

Professor Lareau is a qualitative sociologist who studies social class and social stratification, particularly regarding family life and schools. She wrote the book, Unequal Childhoods, which studied families and was written to be accessible to a wide audience. The book has won several Best Book Awards from the American Sociological Association. Professor Lareau considers Kai Erikson, author of Everything in Its Path, one of her favorite writers in the field. She described the novel as "beautifully written and gripping."

Writing Tips

Professor Lareau emphasizes that in order to do well, students must take a stand. Having an argument (and marshaling evidence to support it) is the most important factor in sociological writing. In addition, the conclusion should echo the introduction, as if they are book ends. They should not have evidence and quotes and should just state the intellectual debate, main ideas, and possibly the implications. Professor Lareau asks students who want to improve their writing to read "How to Write a Sociology Paper." In addition, for students struggling with the writing process, she sends them to the writing center or encourages them to take other classes in writing.

Important Criteria for Student Writing

Professor Lareau emphasizes that reasoning and evidence is the most important aspect of writing; however, grammar and mechanics are also necessary to do well and receive an "A." Students need to be able to follow the directions, demonstrate mastery, use clear organization, and, most importantly, take a coherent argument and accurately back it up with evidence.

Personal Writing Process

Professor Lareau's writing process involves reading and taking notes. She does not create a formal outline, but she does try to gather her thoughts before she begins, and then starts writing in the middle. She will write around quotes, offer her interpretation of the evidence, and then finally, write the conclusion and introduction. After that, she receives feedback from a writing group, revises, and begins the peer review process.

Links

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Other professors in sociology: Dr. Grazian