The Synthesis Essay

1
The Synthesis Essay

• An argumentative essay that incorporates at least
  THREE of the 6-8 sources provided.
• The key is analyzing what sources have to say and
  then loading them as ammunition into YOUR
  argument.
• Dont summarize others opinions use them to
  support your own.
• You can and should argue from personal experience
  as well as from the sources.
• This means you can use first-person pronouns
  however, use them sparingly.

2
Reading the Sources

• You will probably have some idea where you stand
  on the question before reading the sources.
• Read the sources to find support for your
  position or counter-points to refute.
• Either way, read carefully and analytically.
• Author, Context, Purpose, Audience Biases
• But remember the essay is argumentative, so the
  sources are only useful if they help you make
  your point.
• Dont feel pressured to use all or even most of
  the sources.

3
Reading the Sources

• 15 minutes of reading time
• You can read/annotate any of the 3 essay prompts
  (analytical, argumentative, synthesis), but do
  the synthesis first!
• As you read sources, jot down a few lines
  summarizing your takeaways.
• What conclusions can you draw?
• Which side of the argument does this source add
  to?
• Some sources will be pictures/graphswhat can you
  take from them?

4
What Can You See?
5
Writing the Essay

• Once youve read the sources, plan an
  argumentative essay that folds in material from
  the best of them.
• As you decide to argue YES, YES, BUT, or
  NO, line up sources that support each
  viewpoint.
• Decide what stance you are going to take and
  which 3 sources you will use to support it.
• Its okay to develop your position and cite only
  sources that agree with you.
• Just be sure you do acknowledge counterarguments
  somewhere.

6
Using Sources

• Remember you only need 3 sources
• Not penalized for 3, nor rewarded for 4
• Dont force a source!
• Dont just cherry-pick phrases respond to the
  sources arguments
• GOOD Source B calls capital punishment a sin
  worse than Cains, but that loaded phrase is no
  more than a flashy distraction from the facts.
• Critique of the sources words
• You can also point out why a sources point is
  particularly valid or well made.

7
Using Sources

• If possible, connect two sources to prove your
  understanding of them.
• Fisher calls embryonic stem cell research a new
  horizon (Source A), emphasizing its promise, and
  Hamill likewise characterizes it as a limitless
  frontier (Source D). But even in their
  enthusiasm, both authors implicitly acknowledge
  the many unknowns it entails.
• Dont forget about the development of your
  argumentwhy are your own s arranged as they are?

8
Citing Sources

• Unlike essays that refer to a single text, proper
  citation of sources here is a must.
• Like a mini-research paper
• Integrate quotes just as you do in analytical
  essays cite sources in the SAME SENTENCE AS THE
  QUOTE.
• Refer to sources either as Source A, Source B,
  etc. or by the author names provided in the
  prompt.

9
Citation Methods

• Parenthetical citation
• Lakewood cannot survive without a strengthened
  tax base, the mayor told 60 Minutes (Source B).
• In-text citation
• In Source B, the mayor claims that Lakewood
  cannot survive without the tax benefits the
  construction would bring.

10
Grading/Reminders

• If you dont cite, max score of 2
• If fewer than 3 sources, max score 3
• You can use outside info, but attribute it (no
  need to cite).
• Remember equally weighted with the other 2
  essays
• Use present tense verbs.
• Set the context in the introduction.
• Provide a strong, clear thesis statement at the
  outsetthe stance.
• Remember to thoroughly explain your points, using
  the sources as support. (Your argument should be
  central).
• Be careful NOT to just summarize sources.
• Think about what you learned in writing CARP and
  apply those techniques here.

11
Timing

• 15 minutes reading the sources, making
  connections between them, underlining key
  ideas/quotes you might use, determining which
  sources stand on which side of the issue
• 40 minutes to write
• 10 minutes planning, organizing
• 25 minutes writing
• 5 minutes re-reading your work, checking for
  essentials