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OpenStax is a non-profit organization committed to improving student access to quality learning materials. Our free textbooks are developed and peer-reviewed by educators to ensure they are readable, accurate, and meet the scope and sequence requirements of modern college courses. Unlike traditional textbooks, OpenStax resources live online and are owned by the community of educators using them. Through our partnerships with companies and foundations committed to reducing costs for students, OpenStax is working to improve access to higher education for all. OpenStax is an initiative of Rice University and is made possible through the generous support of several philanthropic foundations.
Welcome to Introduction to Sociology 2e , an OpenStax resource created with several goals in mind: accessibility, affordability, customization, and student engagement—all while encouraging learners toward high levels of learning. Instructors and students alike will find that this textbook offers a strong foundation in sociology. It is available for free online and in low-cost print and e-book editions.
To broaden access and encourage community curation, Introduction to Sociology 2e is “open source” licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license. Everyone is invited to submit examples, emerging research, and other feedback to enhance and strengthen the material and keep it current and relevant for today’s students. You can make suggestions by contacting us at info@openstaxcollege.org.
This book is written for you and is based on the teaching and research experience of numerous sociologists. In today’s global socially networked world, the topic of sociology is more relevant than ever before. We hope that through this book, you will learn how simple, everyday human actions and interactions can change the world. In this book, you will find applications of sociology concepts that are relevant, current, and balanced.
This text is intended for a one-semester introductory course. Since current events influence our social perspectives and the field of sociology in general, OpenStax encourages instructors to keep this book fresh by sending in your up-to-date examples to info@openstaxcollege.org so that students and instructors around the country can relate and engage in fruitful discussions.
Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical introductory sociology course. In addition to comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories we have incorporated section reviews with engaging questions, discussions that help students apply the sociological imagination, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. Although this text can be modified and reorganized to suit your needs, the standard version is organized so that topics are introduced conceptually, with relevant, everyday experiences.
Part of the mission of the second edition update was to ensure the research, examples and concepts used in this textbook are current and relevant to today’s student. To this end, we have rewritten the introduction of each chapter to reflect the latest developments in sociology, history and global culture. In addition to new graphs and images, the reader of the second edition will find new feature boxes on a diverse array of topics, which has been one of the goals of the update—bringing the world into greater focus through case studies on global culture.
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Start Quiz | Download PDF | |
Start Quiz | Download PDF |
Professional Writing is designed to provide adult learners with the basic skills they need to write effective documents in the workplace. In this course, you will learn how to analyze your audience so that you can write prose that is both clear and persuasive. You will practice writing common business documents, such as emails, memos, proposals, and presentations. You will also learn how to effectively edit these documents for maximum impact.
This course is part of the Professional Development Program (PRDV), which is designed especially for adult learners who are ready to gain and apply skills demanded by todays employers.
Question: How does a paragraph function to support your thesis?
Choices:
By reinforcing your main point
Through clear organization
By containing concise sentences
All of these answers
Question: What is the primary purpose of most professional documents?
Choices:
To convey information in a formal manner
To avoid controversy
To motivate readers to do something
To be as brief as possible
Question: Which of the following is an example of an error that commonly occurs when adapting an existing document, such as a cover letter, for a new audience?
Choices:
A tone inappropriate for the audience
Information intended for a different audience
Typographical errors
All of these answers
Question: Which of the following are places where you want to maintain professionalism?
Choices:
Business memo
All of these answers
Question: What is the primary reason to conduct audience research before you begin writing a professional message?
Choices:
So you can craft a message that will be perceived as meaningful to them
Conducting audience research is a key recommendation in the "Business Communication for Success" textbook.
To give yourself extra time so that you avoid writing a message while you are angry
To ensure that you don't miss an important recipient
Question: Before you begin writing for a business context, what is the first thing you should do?
Choices:
Brainstorm
Identify your audience
Research your topic
Choose your format or "genre"
Question: Which of the following formats require(s) a professional writing style?
Choices:
Memorandums
Text
All of these answers
Question: Which of the following is an example of an effective sentence pattern?
Choices:
Consistently short, clear sentences
A sentence in which the subject and verb are close together near the beginning of the sentence
Variation between longer and shorter sentences, to avoid choppiness
Sentences with a consistently professional tone
Question: As a writer, what technique(s) can you use to motivate your readers?
Choices:
Establish your credibility
Write a logical argument
Write about issues that are timely and relevant
All of these answers
Question: Which of the following is an effective proofreading technique?
Choices:
Ignore the content and focus on mechanics.
Read your paper out loud and slowly.
Read your paper backwards, beginning with the final sentence.
All of these answers
Question: A professional document should be organized around which of the following?
Choices:
An outline
A thesis statement or main point
A five-paragraph structure
An emotional appeal