1. On your desk, you should have: The Synthesis Prompt packet from yesterday A clean sheet of notebook paper A pen or pencil We will begin as soon as the bell rings! Please be prepared.

2. Examine the prompt: …a well-developed essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies the idea that our choices, both small and large, not only impact ourselves and others, but also reveal who we really are. Ask yourself: Do I believe both big choices and small choices have an impact? Do I think my choices affect myself and others? Do I believe my choices show who I am as a person? If YES to ALL questions, you are defending the prompt. If NO to ALL questions, you are challenging the prompt. IF YES and NO to the questions, you are qualifying the prompt. You must change the part of the prompt you answered no to, and then defend it.

3. The prompt: …a well-developed essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies the idea that our choices, both small and large, not only impact ourselves and others, but also reveal who we really are. Ask yourself: WHY do you feel this way? This feeling or explanation needs to be included in your thesis. Now, to create your thesis, you will rewrite the prompt with the addition of your opinion.

4. Sample Thesis: Because the choices people make affect both themselves and others, these decisions determine who they are as people. A person’s character is solely determined by the choices they make, both small and large, thus affecting themselves and others. Everyday people are forced to make choices, both big and small, but those choice are unavoidable and therefore do not represent who they are as people. It is not the choices people make that determine their character; rather, it is the way in which they deal with the consequences, both small and large, that show who they really are.

5. I.. Introduction A. Introduce the topic in an interesting way (Hook) B. Lead into how you feel about it C. Thesis II.. Argument A. Assertion: Reason why you agree or disagree with the idea B. Evidence from text (Source Letter) C. Commentary (connect your idea/reason to the text evidence) III. Argument A. Assertion: Reason why you agree or disagree with the idea B. Evidence from text (Source Letter) C. Commentary (connect your idea/reason to the text evidence) IV. Conclusion A. Restatement of reasons B. Final thoughts

6. I.. Introduction A. Introduce the topic in an interesting way (Hook) B. Lead into how you feel about it C. Thesis II.. Argument A. Assertion: Reason why you agree or disagree with the idea B. Evidence from text (Source Letter) C. Commentary (connect your idea/reason to the text evidence) III. Argument A. Assertion: Reason why you agree or disagree with the idea B. Evidence from text (Source Letter) C. Commentary (connect your idea/reason to the text evidence) IV. Argument A. Assertion: Reason why you agree or disagree with the idea B. Evidence from text (Source Letter) C. Commentary (connect your idea/reason to the text evidence) V. Conclusion A. Restatement of reasons B. Final thoughts

7. “He never nipped Buck without cause, and he never failed to nip him when he stood in need of it” (Source A). ‘”It's my dog,” Hal replied, wiping the blood from his mouth as he came back” (Source A). “I kept walking, my father holding my hand” (Source D). “Darry would kill me if I got into trouble with the police” (Source B).