1. Today’s goals
Discuss the expectations and uses of academic conversations
Compare ideas and arguments between sources
Begin to draft possible theses

2. Class discussion- academic conversation
What is an academic conversation? Where do they take place?
Where will you encounter academic conversations in college?
What is the value of having a multiple source academic conversation?
How can we responsibly use and source quotes and data in an academic conversation?

3. Mla In-text citations
Usually occur in the (Author’s last name page number) format
Ex: (Anderson 12)
Should be used after a quote, paraphrase, or summary from a source
If the author’s name is mentioned in an attributive tag in the sentence, only the page number is necessary
Ex: According to Anderson, “quote” (12)
For sources with a corporate author, you may use the corporation name
Ex: (Amazon 12)
For sources with no known author, you may use a shortened version of the title
Ex: (“Amazon Business Secrets” 12)
For sources with two authors, use both of their last names separated by “and”
Ex: (Anderson and Sims 12)
For sources with 3 or more authors, use the first author’s last name followed by “et al.”
Ex: (Anderson et al. 12)

4. Synthesis process- stages 3-4
Steps for the synthesis writing process:
Explore your texts through summary writing
The goal here is to deepen your understanding of the issue. However, you do not need to summarize the sources in your final essay.
Explore your texts’ rhetorical strategies
What are their main supporting points and data? You may wish to use some of these when constructing your own argument.
Explore the main themes and similarities and differences in your texts’ ideas
Look for connections between the main ideas and data of all the different sources. Your quote bank may be very helpful here.
Generate ideas of your own
Consider your own viewpoint before and after reading your secondary sources. How has it changed? What is your unique perspective on the issue?
Take your position in the conversation: your synthesis
This will be your thesis, the most important part of the synthesis essay

5. Individual activity- source comparison
Working individually
Use the following questions to compare and contrast the arguments of your sources
In one sentence, sum up the argument of your source 1 (from the source list)
In one sentence, sum up the argument of your source 2 (from the source list)
In one sentence, sum up the argument of your source 3 (from the source list)
In one sentence, sum up the argument of your source 4 (from the web)
In one sentence, sum up the argument of your source 5 (peer reviewed source from the library databases)

6. Synthesis essay- summary section
Usually occurs directly after the introduction
Summarizes the main ideas of each article
Explains how the articles relate/agree/disagree with your thesis
May (but not required to) comment on one or two very important points from a source. Do not do this for every source however
This is where the “academic conversation” takes place in your essay
Despite its importance, this section should not take up too much of your essay (usually 250 words or less)

7. Individual activity- reflection & brainstorm
Working individually
Use the following questions to compare and contrast the arguments of your sources
What was your viewpoint or opinion on your topic before starting your research?
How has your opinion or knowledge changed as a result of your research?
What is the main problem your research has focused on? Why is this problem still unsolved?
Who should be responsible (or who is realistically able) to solve this problem?
What are 3 possible ways that this problem could be solved?

8. homework
Quote Bank
Should include 4+ sources (at least 1 peer reviewed source)
For each source, include a works cited entry and an example in-text citation
For each source, add 2-4 quotes or pieces of data
You can copy/paste the text for these quotes
Try to include a few examples of ethos, pathos, and logos overall
Due Sunday 4-8
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