This is how I've seen it made before:
Put a couple of tablespoons of oil in a dutch oven type pot and put on medium/high heat.
Throw in about 3 kernels and wait for them to pop.
Once those pop, throw in the rest of the popcorn kernels (about 1/3 cup)
Quickly sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of sugar (regular granulated) over the unpopped kernels.
Cover the pot and keep shaking it to keep the kernels moving until they're all popped.
Once they are popped, sprinkle with a bit of salt.
I don't mind sweet popcorn (called kettle corn here) every once in a blue moon but I much prefer salty, buttered popcorn.