Synthesis essay study guide

how long do u have to read?

15 min to read and plan out t-chart to pick a side

Complementary analysis

2-4 sentences of your own knowledge for complementary analysis

How many paragraphs

5 Paragraphs with 3 counterclaims within using "Therefore" and "However"

How long do you have to write?

55 minutes in total

How much source and how much knowledge?

80% source and 20% knowledge

WHAT IS A SYNTHESIS?

A synthesis is a written discussion that draws on one or more sources.

Remember to...

Make sure the essay reads smoothly, logically, and clearly from beginning to end. Check for grammatical correctness, punctuation, and spelling.

Transitions

Provide appropriate transitions both within and between paragraphs

Remember

Remember that you are using your sources to support your ideas and claims, not the other way around

Revise

Revise your synthesis. Insert transitional words and phrases where necessary.

Thesis

State your thesis clearly and make sure that it reflects the focus of your essay.

The purpose

The purpose of an argument synthesis is for you to present your own point of view - supported, of course, by relevant facts, drawn from sources, and presented in a logical manner. The thesis of an argumentative essay is debatable.

Sources

While you might use the same sources in writing an argumentative essay as your classmate uses in writing a comparison/contrast essay, you will make different uses of those sources based on the different purposes of the assignments.

Using your sources

Your purpose determines not only what parts of your sources you will use but also how you will relate them to one another.

how many Sources should you use?

at least 3 sources no more than 5

Before

before you formulate your position take stock of the issues.

Topic

clearly state where you stand with the topic. Make sure your main points are clearly stated (use topic sentences), and connect each point to your thesis as explicitly as possible.

Don't use words like

never, only, all, most, will, everyone

When picking evidence remember...

pick what is logical, credible ,and relevant

Use words like...

some, often, frequently, might, occasionally

Sources

use the sources to strengthen your own argument.

Citing

when citing, include source number or MLA in text citation with author. Have in ( ).

Elaborations

when incorporating quotes make sure to add plenty of commentary and elaboration.

What do you have to do when synthesizing?

when synthesizing you have to maintain own ideas while also taking in others.

Should you summarize the source?

when written with sources, it is important not to summarize the source.

Relationships among sources:

your ability to write syntheses depends on your ability to infer relationships among sources - essays, articles, fiction, and also nonwritten sources, such as lectures, interviews, observations.

The assignment

your assignment may ask that you evaluate a text, argue a position on a topic, explain cause and effect relationships, or compare and contrast items.