The Synthesis Essay - From 5 Steps to a 5 Tatum

What is the synthesis essay like? Students are presented with an introduction to and a description of an issue that has varying viewpoints associated with it. Sources can be written texts that could include nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even drama, as well as visual texts, such as photos, charts, art work, cartoon, etc.

What is the purpose of the synthesis essay? The College Board wants to determine how well students can do the following: –Read critically –Understand texts –Analyze texts –Develop a position on a given topic –Support a position on a given topic –Support a position with appropriate evidence from outside sources –Cite sources used in the essay

What kinds of synthesis essays can I expect? Compare and Contrast Cause and Effect Analysis Taking a position on an argument (defend, qualify, or refute…) ** Remember, everything you write is, in a sense, an argument.

Timing and Planning the Synthesis Essay USE the 15 minutes of time you are allotted at the beginning for your actual prewriting: –Read all six of the excerpts –Deconstruct the synthesis prompt (overarching issue)

Critical Reading of the Text Excerpts… Students must be able to determine the following: Purpose/thesis Intended audience Type of source Main points Historical context Authority of author How the material is presented Source of evidence Any bias or agenda How the text relates to the topic Support or opposition toward the thesis

Develop the Opening Paragraph—Pre-Writing Before you begin the actual writing, jot down a few notes about how you are going to present your material. There is no need to construct a formal outline. Simply create a brief listing of the major points you want to include and the order in which you will present them.

Develop the Opening Paragraph —Pre-Writing **Decide which sources you will use in the essay. Match the sources specifically to the prompt. Clearly state your position on the given topic. Write this in a statement: “The position I’m going to take on this issue is to (support), (oppose), or (qualify).

Tips… You only have time for one draft, so make sure that: –it is clear, organized, logical, and thoughtful –your main points relate to your thesis/claim –it uses specific examples (personal and otherwise) –it uses selected sources to support the major point

Incorporating Sources ** The synthesis essay requires you to be familiar with both analysis and argument. Use attribution and introduction of cited sources Mix of direct quotes, summary, and paraphrase

Incorporating Sources Summary: –Locate key words or phrases and reduce the piece into its essential points. Paraphrase: –Transpose the original material into your own words. This will probably be close to the number of words in the original. Quotes: –Text taken directly from the source, put in quotes and cited. All must be cited in order to avoid plagiarism!

Introducing Quotes When possible, use author’s name to help introduce quotations. Rather than, “Source E suggests,” use “Richman suggests”, then follow- up with Source letter in parentheses at the end of the sentence (Source E).

Introducing Quotes ALWAYS use meaningful half-sentences. “As shown by Source E” or “Source E says” is NOT a meaningful half-sentence. Remember to frame the quotation for us so we interpret the evidence the same way, you do. e.g., Richman criticizes mandatory volunteer service and shows that it is not ultimately beneficial when he asserts that a “legally enforceable obligation to perform service clashes with the principles of free society” (Source E).

Counterarguments Acknowledge complexity and address counterarguments in a meaningful way—either by conceding a point, refuting a point, or qualifying (setting up the limits or defining the terms under which you would agree).

Concluding the Essay Finish strongly—when possible, conclude with your most important or persuasive reason. Provide a call to action, by suggesting something specific to DO to help solve the problem Explore the benefits and/or costs of following a proposed solution, whether it is one you create or one proposed by a source Use rhetorical techniques, like anaphora or tricolon, to assert the importance of the issue, to raise awareness, or to suggest a way to resolve the issue.

Remember… You Must establish a position and each source you choose to use must support and develop your position!