Page 17 - Sociology and You

nation describes unequal treatment of others. Prejudice does not always result in discrimination, but it often does.
1. Define prejudice in its sociological meaning. Do the same for discrimination.
2. Based on their sociological meanings, are prejudice and discrimination always negative?
3. Based on their sociological meanings, can discrimination occur without prejudice?
Applying the Skill
1. Look up the sociological definitions of culture and society. How are these meanings different from everyday usage?
2. How are these terms similar to each other?
3. How are they different?
The Writing Process
Researching and writing allow you to organize your ideas in a logical manner. Actually, writing a paper is only the final step in a process that involves using other skills you have already learned, such as identifying central issues, distin- guishing fact from opinion, and making generalizations.
Learning the Skill
Use the following guidelines in the writing process:
◆ Select an interesting topic. As you identify possible top-
ics, focus on resources that are available. Do preliminary research to determine whether your topic is too broad or too narrow.
◆ Write a thesis statement that defines what you want to prove, discover, or illustrate in your writing. This will be the focus of your entire paper.
◆ Research your topic. First, formulate a list of central ques- tions. Prepare note cards on each question, listing the information sources.
◆ Organize your information by building an outline. Then follow your outline in writing a rough draft of your report.
The Internet has made certain kinds of research much quicker and easier. But, the researcher must still use critical thinking skills to evaluate the infor- mation obtained from the Internet.
Sociology Handbook HB-3