The Writing Process

Types of Assignments

Resources by Discipline

Humanities

Sciences

Social Sciences

Documentation/Citation

Grammar, Style and Language

Writing Resources Guide

Resources by Discipline: Social Sciences

The following social sciences disciplines are included in this section:

General Social Sciences | Anthropology | Business, Management & Economics
Communication Studies | Criminology & Law | Education
Political Science | Psychology | Sociology & Social Work

General Social Sciences

Print Resources

• Making sense : a student's guide to research and writing : social sciences -- D.H. Hill Stacks: H61.8 .N67 2009

  A concise guide for students at all levels of undergraduate study in the social sciences, covering research practices, writing (including grammar, punctuation and style), as well as coverage of MLA, APA, and SSS reference styles.

• Good essay writing : a social sciences guide -- D.H. Hill Stacks: H61 .R43 2006

  Focused on writing in the social sciences, this book discusses approaches to different essay questions, guidelines for supporting arguments, and breaks down example essays to help students improve their writing.

• Social research methods : qualitative and quantitative approaches -- D.H. Hill Stacks: H62 .B439 2000

  Aimed at both students and researchers, this book focuses on both qualitative and quantitative social science research methods, including background, designing research, data collection, and analysis.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• Materials for Students: Writing in the Social Sciences: General advice for non-majors (Dartmouth)

Business, Management & Economics

Print Resources

• The business writer’s handbook -- D.H. Hill Stacks: HF5726 .B874 2006

  A reference for all types of business writing, this guide includes a range of topics including business plans, finding a job, and proposals.

• Writing a convincing business plan -- Veterinary Medicine Stacks: HD30.28 .D477 2008

  A handbook for developing a business plan, it provides the basics on drafting an executive summary, financing proposals, business descriptions and operating plans.

• Effective writing: a handbook for accountants -- D.H. Hill Stacks: HF5719 .M375 2009

  Written for accounting students, this book discusses the different types of communication those in the profession actually use. Major sections include communication strategies, business documents, and oral communication.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• A Guide to Economics Writing (Duke)
• Writing in the Disciplines: Business (University of Richmond)
• Writing Guides: Business Writing (Colorado State University)

E-books

• Search the catalog for e-books available at NCSU Libraries

Anthropology

Print Resources

• Tales of the field: on writing ethnography -- D.H. Hill Stacks: GN307.7 .V36 2011

  A guide for students, scholars, and practitioners of ethnography, contains information on doing fieldwork and writing about different cultures.

• Writing up qualitative research -- D.H. Hill Stacks: T11 .W65 2009

  Focused on writing in the social sciences, this book discusses approaches to different essay questions, guidelines for supporting arguments, and breaks down example essays to help students improve their writing.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• Anthropology handout (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
• Writing guide: ethnography, observational research and narrative inquiry (Colorado State)

Communication Studies

Print Resources

• Writing for journalists -- D.H. Hill Stacks: PN4783 .H53 2008

  Learn the style and techniques of journalistic writing such as news stories, features, and reviews. Includes a glossary of journalistic terms.

• Writing for television, radio, new media -- D.H. Hill Stacks: PN1990.9 .A88 H55 2008

  Provides an introduction to writing for all types of media, including television, radio and the Internet.

• Writer’s digest handbook of magazine article writing -- D.H. Hill Stacks: PN147 .W67 2005

  From finding ideas, to interviewing, writing an article, working with editors and the businesses and rights-related issues, this handbook covers all aspects of magazine article writing.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• Communication studies handout (UNC Chapel Hill)
• Journalism and Journalistic writing (Purdue)
• Writing in the disciplines: journalism (University of Richmond)

Criminology and Law

Print Resources

• The criminal justice student writer’s manual -- D.H. Hill Stacks: HV9950 .C74323 2011

  Sections of this comprehensive guide to criminal justice research and writing include writing probation and parole reports, police reports, agency case studies, and policy analysis papers.

• Legal writing: the strategy of persuasion -- D.H. Hill Stacks: KF250 .B7 1994

  Focuses on legal writing and the strategies of legal persuasion. Includes 15 legal writing problems.

• A manual of style for contract drafting -- D.H. Hill Stacks: KF807 .A33 2008

  Learn how to draft a contract based on clear prose, to avoid the common problems that afflict contract writing. The appendix includes a before, annotated and after contract samples.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• Barger on Legal Writing (University of Arkansas – Little Rock)

Education

Print Resources

• Doing academic writing in education: connecting the personal and professional -- D.H. Hill Stacks: LB2369 .R52 2005

  Targeted at first-time or beginner researchers in education, health, and the social sciences, this book covers basic practices of research, from topic selection to the final product.

• Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social sciences -- D.H. Hill Stacks: LB2369 .R52 2005

  Aimed at a variety of writers in the education field, this clear and easy-to-follow guide helps become confident and skilled, with particular emphasis on writing as a process of “personal discovery.

• Research writing in education and psychology -- D.H. Hill Stacks: LB2369 .K54 2009

  This book covers all parts of the research and writing processes, with an eye toward publishing the final product in a journal or publication.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• Writing in the Disciplines: Education (University of Richmond)
• Writing in Education and Human Development (Lynchburg College)

Political Science

Print Resources

• Writing in political science : a practical guide -- D.H. Hill Stacks: JA86.S36 2010

  A guide to writing effective papers in political science, covering every part of the research and writing process. Features real examples of student essays.

• The political science student writer’s manual -- D.H. Hill Stacks: JA86.S39 2002

  A writer’s manual focused on improving writing skills and strategies within a political science context.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• Writing in Political Science (UNC Chapel Hill)
• Writing in the Disciplines: Political Science (University of Richmond)

Psychology

Print Resources

• The principles of writing in psychology -- D.H. Hill Stacks: BF76.7.S57 2004

  In-depth guide for writing essays, literature reviews, and research reports in psychology, applicable to all levels of psychology writing. .

• How to write in psychology : a student guide -- D.H. Hill Stacks: BF76.8.B425 2009

  Targeted at students of all levels, this book helps writers in psychology navigate the often-challenging stylistic prescriptions of psychology writing.

• Mastering APA style: student's workbook and training guide -- D.H. Hill Stacks: BF76.8.G452

  A student-focused training guide for all aspects of the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Features exercises and tests that allow students to learn APA style through application.

Additional Print Resources

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Online Resources

• APA Formatting and Style Guide (Purdue University)
• APA Documentation Guide (UW-Madison)

Sociology & Social Work

Print Resources

• The sociology student writer's manual -- D.H. Hill Stacks: HM585.S638 2010

  A comprehensive writing and research manual aimed at sociology students in introductory and advanced sociology courses.

• The handbook of social work research methods -- D.H. Hill Stacks: HV11.H342 2010

  A comprehensive writing and research manual aimed at sociology students in introductory and advanced sociology courses.

• Preparing research articles -- D.H. Hill Stacks: HM569.T49 2008

  Concise manual for preparing research projects to be published in a social work journal. Includes advice on picking journals, revisions, and complex issues like impact factors and electronic publishing.

Additional Print Resources

• Search the catalog for other print resources available at NCSU Libraries

Online Resources

• Sociology Writing Guide (UNC Chapel Hill)
• Manuscript Formatting for ASA Style (Purdue University)

Librarian Contact Information

• Anne Burke, Undergraduate Instruction and Outreach Librarian
• (919) 513-7426
• anne_burke@ncsu.edu