1. Today’s goals Peer review the 3rd draft of our synthesis essays
Introduce skills for timed writing
Practice timed writing outlines

2. Timed Writing Skills
Ability to store and access appropriate knowledge into an organized essay
Ability to quickly analyze the specific requirements of an exam question
Ability to deal with pressure, text anxiety, and time constraints

3. Timed Writing Key Terms
The “Ability to quickly analyze the specific requirements of an exam question” starts with identifying key terms in the essay prompt to determine what the main goals of the assignment are
See pg 600 in A&B
These are generally verbs and each has its own response strategy that tells you what type of information to include
Analyze, apply, argue, compare, contrast, construct, critique, define, discuss, enumerate, evaluate, explain, identify, illustrate, prove, review, summarize, and trace

4. Group Activity 1: Analyze Essay Questions
In your topic groups
Read the passage on page 603 and select the prompt on page 604 that best matches the essay.
Provide a brief explanation of why the prompt you chose is best suited to the essay.

5. Timed Writing Strategies
Outline, outline, outline
Have a clear and strong thesis
Have coherent organization with transitions
Support each part of your argument with evidence (rhetorical appeals can be helpful here)
Have an independent analysis and argument. Be original.
Have a conclusion. It need not be long or fancy but should recapitulate your important points

6. Group Activity 2: Example Timed Writing Outline
In your topic groups
Read the two example essay prompts on page 607
Create a detailed outline for each prompt
Make sure to include:
a possible introduction strategy
a thesis
forecasting

7. Most Important Concepts
Angle of Vision
Rhetorical Context:
Purpose
Audience
Genre
Rhetorical Appeals
Ethos
Pathos
Logos

8. Group Activity 3: Synthesis Peer Review
In groups of 2-3 students based on the topics you have working on, answer the following questions about every group members’ first draft:
Does the essay’s introduction grab the readers’ interest and present the topic in an interesting way? What strategy does it use to do this?
What is the writer’s thesis? Take this word for word from the essay you analyze.
What elements does the essay forecast for the body paragraphs? Are these based on supporting points or on the sources themselves?
How does the author use ethos, pathos, and logos to support their claims? Give one example of each. If they are missing any of the rhetorical appeals, offer a suggestion as to how they could use that appeal.

9. Homework Portfolio Synthesis Essay – Final Draft Worth a quiz grade
Necessary for final exam success
Should include a printed version of all of your major essays (literacy narrative, strong response, and synthesis)
Synthesis Essay – Final Draft
1,000+ words
4+ sources (including one from the source list and one that is peer reviewed)
Due 5-1 by midnight