Synthesis Essay

What’s It About?  A synthesis essay is an argumentative essay  Must state a claim or statement of opinion  Support the claim by presenting a variety of supporting evidence  Solid evidence—facts, observations, statistics, the opinions of experts, relevant anecdotes, etc.  Logically presented ideas  Show that you can apply both your own ideas and other ideas you’ve found in the sources to build a persuasive argument

Reading the Sources 1.Read to understand what the source has to say 2.Read to analyze the author’s position on the issue 3.Read for evidence and data that help define your position on the issue. 4.Interpret the visual source.

Assessing the Validity of Sources 1.When was it published? 2.Where did it come from? 3.Who are the likely readers? 4.What is the purpose? 5.How objectively was it written?

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

Mini Research Paper 1.Devise a claim and bring in evidence to support it a.Must use at least three sources b.Use your own knowledge, observations, and experiences to support your point of view c.Do not rely solely on the sources (your own ideas add a layer of depth)

Introducing Your Position  Fuzzy, overly complicated statements weaken an argument  Make your position crystal clear with precise, unambiguous language  Our synthesis essay topic deals with the appropriateness of some young adult fiction topics.  The issue is whether teenagers should be exposed to topics such as sex, drugs, violence—domestic or otherwise—suicide, death, addiction, ect. On one hand, teenagers should be exposed to all of these things because it reflect life. On the other hand, many of these issues are too dark and teenagers prepared to deal with them.

Which claim is better? 1.Teenagers should read young adult literature because it exposes them to real life. 2.The benefits of young adult literature often outweigh any perceived negative effects.

Use Qualifying Words  “Often” is a qualifying term that makes the statement less dogmatic. Without the word, the statement implies that the benefits of young adult fiction always benefits a teenager, a claim that is hard to defend and nearly impossible to prove. Just a single exception would destroy its credibility.  When you write a position statement, therefore, consider making the claim more difficult to challenge by including an appropriate qualifier.  As almost, frequently, generally, in most cases, likely, often customarily, etc..

Types of Introductions

A Brief Incident or Anecdote  Relate either of these two to the point you plan on making in your essay  Be sure that you have some sort of transition from that anecdote into your claim.  Create a bridge for your reader to see how you have moved from the story to your claim.

Provocative Idea  State a provocative idea in an ordinary way  Or an ordinary idea worded in a proactive way  Gambling casinos pay higher wages to their employees than almost any other business except salmon fishers in Alaska. In spite of its potential for positive economic effects, however, the gambling industry harms American society more than it helps.

Quotation  Use a quotation from 1.The prompt; 2.One of the sources; 3.Your experience.  Word of Warning: Always make sure you make a connection to that quote immediately after stating it.  “All you need is a dollar and a dream.” These catchy words have enticed millions of gullible New Yorkers into throwing their money away with the hope that they’ll win the state lottery.

Knock Down A Commonly Held Assumption  Use an anecdote or incident to show what you are saying  Define a word in a new startling way  Use transitions to bridge from the anecdote into your claim

Ask an Interesting Question or Two  If you ask questions, ensure  That they are purposeful questions;  Cause your reader to think;  And will be answered in the body of the paper.