Synthesis Paper Strategies PEEP 2008

Assignment thesis driven essay should reflect understanding of texts integrate what you ’ ve learned in some novel way at least five of the required texts strongly discouraged from doing additional research

Define “Synthesis” What do YOU think we want you to do?

Define “Synthesis” Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough.

Define “Synthesis” Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough. Making connections between sources, yes. But that’s still not enough.

Define “Synthesis” Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough. Making connections between sources, yes. But that’s still not enough. Using multiple sources to back up your own thesis, great! What else?

Define “Synthesis” Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough. Making connections between sources, yes. But that’s still not enough. Using multiple sources to back up your own thesis, great! What else? Combining sources topically, not proceeding source-by-source.

“What it Ain’t” (Karen Craigo, General Studies Writing Program, Bowling Green State University) “A synthesized essay should leave a reader with a holistic sense that the writer has conveyed his or her own new ideas, and has drawn upon a chorus of voices for support.”

“What it Ain’t” (Karen Craigo, General Studies Writing Program, Bowling Green State University) It ain’t … Two or more sources in a paragraph, period. Several sources but mostly one. False relationships between sources. Flooding your paper with the voices of as many other writers as possible.

Planning: The Grid of Common Points (T.B. Henning, Indiana U. Writing Center) While reading, note repeated words or ideas. Also note conflicts or contradictions. Based on all of the above, write main research question answered by source material. Turn these into categories for a grid.

Exercise 1.Read handout “Recognizing Synthesis.” 2.With another student, develop a list of specific techniques used in revision, which improved the synthesis. 3.Share with the whole class.

Organize Your Paper Around a Thesis Thesis Broad Context

Organize Your Paper Around a Thesis Thesis Broad Significance