140 Sociology Essay Topics

Students majoring in or taking sociology courses will have to write more than a few essays on the subject to pass their classes and earn a degree. Sociology is a fascinating subject about the study of human social behavior, including its origins, development, and structure. It covers a wide range of topics such as family relations, religion, education, crime, and race relations.

But while it’s easy to define what sociology is, writing an essay on the subject can be quite challenging for some students. If you’re one of them, then don’t worry! This guide will teach you everything you need to know about writing an excellent sociology essay and provide you with 140 sociology essay topics to get those creative juices flowing.

Types of Sociology Essays

Essays and papers written about sociology can vary in their purpose. In some cases, you may need to inform or explain something to your reader, while in others, you may need to argue a particular point. The type of essay you’re being asked to write will usually be made clear in the assignment prompt, but if it’s not, be sure to ask your instructor what is expected of you. Here are some of the most common types of sociology essays you may encounter:

Descriptive Essays for Sociology

A descriptive essay asks the writer to describe something, whether it be a person, place, thing, or experience. In this type of essay, it’s essential to be clear and concise in your description and use sensory details (i.e., sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste) to help your reader experience what you’re describing.

Descriptive sociology essays typically focus on providing an overview of a particular subject or phenomenon, such as the rise of social media or the effects of poverty. In these essays, you’ll need to focus on providing details and facts rather than offering your own opinion.

Argumentative Essays for Sociology

An argumentative essay is one in which the writer takes a position on a particular issue and tries to convince the reader to agree with their point of view. To do this, you’ll need to use evidence and strong reasoning to support your claims.

For argumentative sociology essays, you’ll need to develop a debatable thesis statement and support it with evidence from research, personal experience, or both. Suitable topics for an argumentative sociology essay could include the impact of technology on society or whether single-parent households are detrimental to children’s development.

Narrative Essays for Sociology

A narrative essay tells a story, usually from the writer’s perspective. In sociology, narrative essays can be used to discuss personal experiences, such as coming of age or overcoming adversity.

When writing a narrative sociology essay, you’ll want to focus on using vivid language to describe the events you’re recounting and how they made you feel. It’s also important to make sure the story flows logically and that there is a clear purpose or moral to the tale.

Comparative Essays for Sociology

A comparative essay asks the writer to compare and contrast two or more things, usually people, places, ideas, or experiences. For sociology, this could involve comparing different cultures, social groups, or even historical periods.

In a comparative sociology essay, it’s important to identify the similarities and differences between the subjects you’re discussing and analyze why these comparisons exist. What factors have led to the similarities? Are the differences due to chance, or are they the result of deliberate choices?

The Dos and Don’ts of Sociology Essay Writing

When writing any type of sociology paper, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind in order to produce the best work possible.

Do your research.

When writing a sociology essay, you must have credible sources to back up your claims. Be sure to consult scholarly journals, books, and reputable websites to get the information you need.

Don’t plagiarize.

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense resulting in failing grades or even expulsion from school. If you use someone else’s words or ideas, be sure to give them credit with an in-text citation.

Do proofread and edit your work.

Typos and grammatical errors can make your essay hard to read and understand. Therefore, be sure to proofread your work carefully before submitting it.

Don’t procrastinate.

Sociology essays usually have a lot of work involved in the writing process, so it’s crucial that you start working on it as soon as possible. By planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time to write, you can avoid the last-minute rush and turn in a well-written paper.

Do start with an outline.

An outline can help you organize your thoughts and logically structure your essay. By having a clear plan of action, you’ll be able to write a coherent and well-organized paper.

Don’t forget to cite your sources.

As mentioned before, sociology essays require research and therefore need to be properly cited. Be sure to include in-text citations and a list of references for all the sources you used.