Blog Prompt 4: Review the Literature, Report the Controversies
Purpose
Due*
Instructions
Title for Blog Prompt 4 – Blog 4: Review the Literature, Report the Controversies
Requirements:
Become familiar
with the literature
on a “problem”
within your
Sociology Field to
recognize the
controversies and
pose the research
question(s).
Complete the
Entry by Thursday
of Week 7 and
Comment on a
classmate’s entry
by Saturday of the
same week.
 Prepare a 1-paragraph Summary (4-5 sentences) of your research topic for the argumentative essay
project. This summary is to comprise the main ideas of your review of the sociological works on the topic.
Use in-text citation.
 Prepare a 1-paragraph Overview of the unsettled issues, controversies, or questions associated with the
sociologists’ work on this research topic. Use in-text citation.
 Prepare one paragraph to Expand on each issue named in the Overview by drawing from the appropriate
publications that comprise your review of the field or sociology topic. Limit your expansion to 3 issues or
controversies and to 3 full paragraphs. Use in-text citation.
 At the end of your (up to) 5 paragraph essay, list fully referenced sources by including author, title,
publication, date published and (if applicable) unique url.
Procedures to Fulfill Requirements
 Search & Browse sociological works on a common theme by locating a base article branching out to
supporting (i.e., related) articles. Carry out this procedure by: (a) visiting the Sociology Blog Resources and
opening a “Prompt 4 Recommended” file. Read the original article and at least two additional sources
referenced in the article or (b) searching either professional sociology journals Contexts or Sociology
Compass for a base article to read. Next, use the base article to locate and read at least 2 additional
sources referenced by the base article.
 The layout of your (up to) 5 paragraph essay is to be in three sections, entitled: Summary; Overview;
Expand.
 Minimally acceptable length: 500 words
 Post a Comment on a classmate’s blog entry, a classmate who is working in the same “Sociology Field.”
The Comment is to add fresh perspective, clarify, add complexity, or deepen any point made in any of the
three sections of your classmate’s blog prompt 4 entry.
*Refer to the Sakai Calendar/Schedule for exact deadline.