how to write a social science essay

how to write a social science essay

A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Effective Social Science Essay

1. Introduction to Social Science Essays

Academic and political scientists have to order the complexities of modern political life. The first task of the social scientist is to ensure that the complexity and sheer noise of modern politics does not upset the objectivity of judgment. Simple models that attribute social behavior to one motive only are easily politicized. It is the ability to analyze political life in all its complexity that is the reason social science is a discipline in its own right. Even a relatively low-stakes piece of undergraduate work must respect this complexity by setting and pursuing a clear research question. Good social science is ordered without being reductive, insightful without being merely speculative. Your essays are an opportunity to demonstrate both during your time in the Department of Politics and International Relations.

There is particular importance in the relationship between the essay question and prior work covered in lectures and assigned study. Your essay is your way of formulating questions while exploring and then answering them through reflections on primary readings and your own thoughts. It is therefore more like an argument you are making in the form of an essay than an exercise you are submitting for grading. The challenge is to do both at the same time! At the same time, an essay well prepared and clearly presented contains a large amount of information and knowledge. Your discussions with your peers help you to find your voice as a student of politics; this voice will be heard in your writing as you present arguments and evidence to support your essay’s thesis.

2. Research and Analysis: The Foundation of a Strong Essay

This part differs from subject to subject as some lend themselves to qualitative research while others to quantitative research. An appropriate method of analysis has to be employed depending on the nature of the research. Nonetheless, the need to reflect and critically analyze the various social science elements of the writing is a part of every social science essay. The clear and logical use of qualitative or quantitative data can also help in convincing the readers of the essay’s main argument. Using a painting or a musical composition as a source may be viewed differently by different people, but mostly it behaves as an art in its own context. It is necessary to compare your art/song with another to gain an understanding as to why it has been defined a certain way.

There are a few things that need to be considered when conducting research for an essay. First, research should be systematic and well organized, so you should begin by designing a research plan or a research matrix. A research plan should consist of a list of questions about the topic to be researched and a list of keywords to look for. With the questions and keywords, a clear direction and organization can be established for the research. A research matrix makes the plan more concrete by offering students a method for organizing main topics, questions, and relevant sources. If each question is answered with information from three sources, the matrix systems can help students to focus on what needs to be accomplished. Also, while researching, attention should be paid to the format of the material and its evaluation in order to save time and ensure reliable sources.

3. Structuring Your Essay for Clarity and Coherence

But albeit that general scheme is fine for an argumentative essay, there are other options. Suppose you are writing a paper that calls for a contrast admission of viewpoints. In that case, it may be better to organize your essay somewhat differently. Understanding how you might present things differently and how your options might affect your audience’s reception will help you sort through the ideas you want to discuss and how an audience might best receive them.

You need to think about how to present your material in a fashion that makes it most accessible to your reader and that presents the material in an organized and coherent manner. Broadly speaking, this means beginning your essay with an introduction that identifies the topic and general layout of your analysis, continuing through an “argumentative” type of paper with ideas set out and defended in a clear and explicit fashion, and finishing with a conclusion that revisits your original research question, draws arguments together, and then considers broader implications and new areas in which further research might be needed.

4. Crafting Compelling Arguments and Counterarguments

Despite the fact that the focus of an essay typically is on supporting main arguments, a critical essay also requires students to address the alternative explanations that detract from the main argument proposed. To do so convincingly, students must engage in considerably challenging intellectual enterprise, namely crafting a counterargument. A counterargument injects much-needed nuance and balance into the critical essay. In fact, it adds a layer of complexity to the essay by complicating the narrative with minor thematic excursions that challenge an argument at its core. This being said, a counterargument should not be overly detailed or distract from the main thrust of the critical analysis. After all, the goal of a counterargument is not to discredit the main argument, just to make plausible the alternative views and rebuttals of the main argument. This requires two main activities: representation of the counterargument followed by reasoning in support of your main argument.

Once you are sure of your stance on the issue, the next step is to compile your main arguments. Arriving at a conclusion derived from comprehensive and verified arguments demonstrates your understanding of various sources and is therefore more convincing and persuasive. Each argument is often cited from a specific source, testifying to the relevance of the argument to the issue being addressed. To boil it down, to craft a compelling argument, you need to first identify its main elements. What main points are critical to your argument? What evidence does your argument rely on? Secondly, you need to build the case by treating its main elements separately, explicating and providing proof so as to convince your target audience (readers). In this phase of argument-building, students find it useful to divide their arguments into sub-arguments that correspond to specific aspects of the main argument but are specific in focus and limited in scope at the same time. Lastly, you need to summate your main argument by wrapping up all its parts into one comprehensive and persuasive piece.

5. Polishing Your Essay: Editing and Proofreading Tips

Remember your reader – Have you provided the necessary background for your reader to understand the significance of what you are telling him or her? If you are writing about an injustice, have you included suitable material from The Dark Side of Political Economy, and are your reader’s sympathies for the characters properly engaged?

State your point simply and directly – In the conclusion, you do not need to mention every single point you made in your essay. The conclusion is where you should mention your main point, and in the process, tie together all the points that came before it.

Examine your topic sentences – Do they directly advance your argument and support your main point? Are they persuasive? And do they mark a clear transition from the prior paragraph or subsection?

Body Paragraphs Each body paragraph should have a clear topic sentence related to the support or a specific aspect of the support for your main point. Each body paragraph should end with a transition sentence that sets the stage for the next body paragraph. Each body paragraph (save the first) should also begin with a transition sentence related to the support or a specific aspect of the support for your main point, or related to the refutation paragraph. Remember – nobody enjoys reading long chunks of prose. Break up your paragraphs into meaningful points that fit your main point.

Open with your main point – When you’ve written your conclusion statement, look at it carefully. Is it merely a restatement of your thesis? Or does it truly encapsulate the promise of your essay, and give your reader the important “So What?” – the reason your reader should care about how you have supported your thesis?

Editing and proofreading are critical for a polished social science essay that will engage your reader and communicate your point clearly. Remember – the more mistakes there are in your essay, the harder it will be for your reader to get your point! This section walks you through steps to help you do your best.