Sociology HELP!!!!!!!!

What techniques do you guys use to get full marks in AS sociology. I am doing a resit after getting A's through out the term but getting a D in the final exam. This has been a trend in my school so i have come to the conclusion that it perhaps the teacher's methods and teachings that are incorrect so please if anyof you are good at sociology please help me out. What Techniques, methods,structures etc do you use.
Thanks ALOT for the help!

Reply 1

Vixen

12

Always do an introduction and conclusion and ALWAYS cover both sides of the argument. Set each argument then fully evaluate it using examples and studies/references. Obviously they are not bothered about dates of references so much in exams so just put in names to back up your argument. Hope this helps a bit :smile:

Reply 2

ouijaouija

AS is a memory test, you should have a specific idea of what studies to memorise under what topics. After that, its just plain sailing?

Reply 3

kellywood_5

17

As Vixen said really. Make sure you structure your essays properly with an introduction setting the scene, a paragraph for each main argument and a conclusion summing up. Learn lots of theories and studies so you can back up every point you make with evidence. Give a balanced argument by using lots of evaluation to critique each theory.

Reply 4

Erzan

13

My Sociology teacher gets us to learn 6 point essay plans for the two exam essays.

A skeleton example:
1. Intro - with definition
2. Argument - e.g what marxs say - with evidence
3. Argument - e.g criticizing marxs - with evidence
3. Argument - e.g what functionalist say - with evidence
4. Argument - e.g criticizing functionalist - with evidence
5. Argument - e.g what postmodernist say, criticizing marxs and func - with evidence
6. Conclusion. - Who is more right and why and who is more wrong and why - evidence

I never followed this plan in my first module and got 70/90 then i followed it religiously in my other two modules and got 81/90 and 98/105.

Our teacher also has a dictionary of acronyms for each topic, for example U.C.L.E.R.N.N.S for family and my favourite one P.E.R.V.E.R.T.T for methodology :smile:

Reply 5

xthatgurlx

7

i just looked over notes
n my teachers did really useful tables
with everyfin shortend down
which i think helped me get an A in AS

Reply 6

jofebaqua10

i got full marks in methods and education, whilst for family i got 102/105.
my teachers notes are REALLY good! you should try using revision guides by Jill Swale, you can buy it from the website: Phillip Alan Updates. The Haralambos Themes and Perspectives book is really good because there is alot of information you an choose from. There is a Collins AQA revision guide that is good for quick revision or general reading. Also, look at past papers for your exam board because i've found that similar questions come up often, so you can kind of predict which questions you'll get in the exam. Hope that helps.

Reply 7

Blondie2k7

Erzan

My Sociology teacher gets us to learn 6 point essay plans for the two exam essays.

A skeleton example:
1. Intro - with definition
2. Argument - e.g what marxs say - with evidence
3. Argument - e.g criticizing marxs - with evidence
3. Argument - e.g what functionalist say - with evidence
4. Argument - e.g criticizing functionalist - with evidence
5. Argument - e.g what postmodernist say, criticizing marxs and func - with evidence
6. Conclusion. - Who is more right and why and who is more wrong and why - evidence

I never followed this plan in my first module and got 70/90 then i followed it religiously in my other two modules and got 81/90 and 98/105.

Our teacher also has a dictionary of acronyms for each topic, for example U.C.L.E.R.N.N.S for family and my favourite one P.E.R.V.E.R.T.T for methodology :smile:

just out of interest, what does P.E.R.V.E.R.T.T stand for? lol

Reply 8

prettyblueeyes

13

I got full marks in all AS modules and stick to a fairly boring (for the examiner to read) structure in terms of answering questions.

Short questions tend to be a couple of sentences maximum, "define this term" etc, and tend to define a term and place it in context (eg The term "operationalise" refers to the process by which a sociological concept is measured, valid and reliable. Sociologists operationalise concepts, such as "sexual deviance", "mental health" or "failure", to ensure that the terms are valid and understood by everyone).

For "assess" questions I generally outline the theory/study, give two strengths and two weaknesses, and try to include at least one example or study for each side.

For longer essay type questions I always do an introduction, which only has to be a few sentences (just shows the examiner you understand the question you are being asked, and know the argument you are going to make), and finish with a conclusion, just reaffirming what you've said and making a final judgement (although this final judgement can be, "X is the most important factor it would appear, although Y and Z also raise valid points which must be taken in to consideration, despite being less valid in the context of discussing power in Britain today").

My paragraphs always follow the P.E.E.L rule. Each paragraph starts with a POINT(P) - a simple statement/leg of your argument. This is followed by EVIDENCE(E) - using a quote, study or real life example to support the point you have just made. Followed by EXPLANATION (E) which extends to discussing the evidence and why it supports the point in slightly more detail and ensures the examiner knows that you know your stuff. End paragraph with LINK (L) - either link to the next paragraph (by suggesting that there are more strengths, or opposing views etc) OR LINK back to the essay question - making sure that the paragraph you have just written is answering the question (v.important) - I often paraphrase the question if I can't think of anything to say, to make it look as though I am very certain in what I'm writing. That's basically it - P.E.E.L.

With the longer essays which require you to discuss more than one perspective or study, devote at least two paragraphs to each. One paragraph will outline the theory and give evidence to support it, the second will provide a criticism to that theory, and must also be supported with figures/evidence/examples. As long as you provide a balanced argument throughout, showing that you have taken other points of view than your own in to consideration. You can link the criticisms/support with other theories too - eg The Marxist view is not supported by Blah Blah, a functionalist, who argues that differences in society are important and are necessary for society to run efficiently.

Just get a simple structure in your mind for all of the questions - all a) questions require you to outline or define a term, all b) questions will ask for differences and similarities etc etc. Once you've remembered the pattern, apply it to every answer and make sure you revise enough theories/studies for evidence, and it's not difficult.

Reply 9

ChrisTheRockGod

14

oh, and always make sure to answer the question.

Sociology HELP!!!!!!!!

Related discussions

Articles for you