Essay #5 Eng 102

Synthesis Essay Directions: Take a position about a controversial topic. Find five articles about this topic to support or refute your

position. Read the article(s) and write a synthesis essay arguing your position. Only one source can be from the

internet. A minimum of three sources must be from scholarly journals accessed through licensed databases.

The last sentence of the introduction must be a thesis statement that clearly states the argued position and is specific.

The introduction must also provide necessary topical background information and engage the audience.

The essay must be clearly organized according to the thesis. Each paragraph must state a claim followed by evidence

and an assumption. Each claim in the essay must be supported with documented, reliable sources. Each form of

support must lead to an assumption that supports the writer’s position.

The essay’s conclusion clearly summarizes the preceding arguments and restates the thesis. The author avoids a concession and valiantly argues position.

Grammar and mechanics will also be graded for accuracy. Particular attention will be given to topics already

covered in class.

Evidence of each stage of the writing process must be submitted: prewrite (1 sentence summaries, thesis); planning

(outline); drafting; revising (peer review form); and publishing (final copy). The target length is 4-5 pages. This

length does not include the references or title page.

APA format for in-text citations is followed. Plagiarism is avoided. At least one quote uses parentheticals with an

attributive tag. At least one quote uses parentheticals without an attributive tag.

The essay’s references page indicates five sources. Each source is properly cited according to APA format. There is

only one internet source. There are at least three sources from scholarly journals accessed through licensed databases

A – 30 pts. B – 26 pts. C – 23 pts. D – 20 pts. F – 17 pts.

Introduction All characteristics

apparent

1 characteristic is

weak or missing

2 characteristics are

weak or missing

3 characteristics are

weak or missing

4 characteristics are

weak or missing

Organization All characteristics

apparent

1 characteristic is

weak or missing

2 characteristics are

weak or missing

3 characteristics are

weak or missing

4 characteristics are

weak or missing

Conclusion All characteristics

apparent

1 characteristic is

weak or missing

2 characteristics are

weak or missing

3 characteristics are

weak or missing

4 characteristics are

weak or missing

Grammar &

Mechanics

less than 2 errors in

grammar or

mechanics

3-4 errors in

grammar and

mechanics

5-6 errors in

grammar and

mechanics

7-8 errors in

grammar and

mechanics

9 or more errors in

grammar and

mechanics

Writing process;

target length

All parts are

submitted. Target

length is achieved.

1 component is

missing from writing

process or target

length.

2 components are

missing from writing

process or target

length.

3 components are

missing from writing

process or target

length.

4 or more

components are

missing from writing

process or target

length.

A – 25 pts. B – 22 pts. C – 19 pts. D – 17 pts. F – 14 pts.

In-text Citations

less than 2 errors

3-4 errors 5-6 errors 7-8 errors 9 or more errors

References Page

less than 2 errors

3-4 errors 5-6 errors 7-8 errors 9 or more errors

EARNED: 200 Points Total