Writing for
Sociology
WRITING SERVICES - UNCW - DEPAOLO HALL, 1ST FLOOR - 962-7857
Basics
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Style Manual: Style Guide, American Sociological Association, 4th ed., 2010.
Preferred dictionary: Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., 2005.
Suggested Reference: Day and Gastel, How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper.
2006.
The guide is based on the 15th ed of The Chicago Manual of Style.
References
 You should use in-text (parenthetical) citations which include (Author’s Last Name
Year:Page).
 Basic Format:
Author1 (last name first), Author2 (first then last name), Author3. Year of
Publication. Name of Publication. Publication city, state: Publisher.
Basic Format/Organization of a Paper
 Title Page: Full title of the article with author and institution name. A running head
should be at the top of the TP with a word count included.
 Abstract: Should have same title as Title Page. The abstract should be no more than 200
words.
 Reference Page: Should be titled “References.” Should follow the body of your work
and footnotes. Each parenthetical citation should be included also as a reference. It
should be double-spaced identical to the rest of your paper.
 Footnotes should only be used if absolutely necessary. Instead try to incorporate the
material into the text body. They should point the reader to the specific entry in the works
cited. The first footnote for a source should contain all bibliographic information.
ASA Highlighted Grammar and Style
 Avoid language that promotes bias or stereotypes.
 Use active voice whenever possible.
 Generally use past tense. Your verb tense may switch within your paper, as long as entire
sections use one consistent tense.
 Use one space after punctuation.
 Quotes exceeding fifty words should follow block quotation format.
 Use numerals for numbers greater than nine.
 Abbreviations: Most should be spelled out initially for readers who may not be familiar
with them.
Suggested Databases
 eHRAF World Cultures
 PsycARTICLES
 PsycINFO
 Sage Journals Online
 Social Services Abstracts
 Sociological Abstracts
Links for Handout References
 American Sociological Association’s Undergraduate Student Resources
http://www.asanet.org/students/resources_majors.cfm
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Purdue OWL, Chicago Manual of Style
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/01/
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Strunk And White, The Elements of Style (free online text)
http://www.bartleby.com/141/index.html
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Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary Online
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary
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University of Connecticut, Writing in Sociology
http://sociology.uconn.edu/forms/Writing_for_Sociology.pdf
Created by:
Keally Miller