SYNTHESIS ESSAY

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Florida Standards AssessmentELA WRITING COMPONENTStudents will read several “texts” about a single topic. These could be informational or literary. They can also be pictorial.

After reading the various “texts,” the students will respond to a writing prompt in which they will provide information on a topic (informative/explanatory) or take a stance to support an opinion or argument (argumentative). Two of the three texts must be incorporated into the essay.

WHAT IS A SYNTHESIS ESSAY?

A synthesis essay makes insightful connections. Those connections can show the relationships between two or more sources. It is your job to explain why those relationships are important.

A synthesis essay is an opportunity to create new knowledge out of already existing knowledge (i.e., other sources). You combine, or synthesize, the information in your sources to develop an argument or a unique perspective on a topic.

It is like a mini research paper!

WHY DO I NEED TO WRITE A SYNTHESIS ESSAY?

Because it is REQUIRED!!!

Because …writing a successful synthesis essay will “force” you to:

read accurately and objectivelysee relationships among different viewpointsdefine a thesis based on these relationshipssupport your thesis effectively

HOW DO I WRITE IT?

INFORMATIVE (old expository)

Develop a thesis based on common points among the sources

Support the thesis with appropriate examples from each of the sources you are planning to use

HOW DO I WRITE IT?

ARGUMENTATIVE (old persuasive)Develop a clearly defined opinion about the subject

(thesis)

Support that opinion by incorporating the valid viewpoints of the writers of the sources available

Show the weaknesses of those ideas which you feel are not valid

WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE IN WRITING THIS ESSAY?

1. READ THE PROMPT

What are you being asked to do?Inform or argue?

What are the key words in the prompt?

2. READ THE SOURCES

Skim through the sources and look for similar issues in each text that work with the prompt.

Reflect on those issues and jot down your ideas (annotate).

3. DETERMINE YOUR THESIS

In an informative essay, your thesis may state the main idea you have developed from your readings, which will be supported with examples from the sources in the body of your essay.

In an argumentative essay, your thesis will state your opinion about the subject, which will be supported through an analysis of the sources.

Don’t provide reasons!

4. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FOR MULTI-PARAGRAPH ESSAYS

5. ORGANIZE YOUR ESSAYWith your thesis in mind

Incorporating one or more sources per paragraph

Including 2-3 quotes or paraphrases per body paragraph

INTEGRATING SOURCES

EXAMPLES:

According to James, “Pocahontas was never a true princess.”

“Pocahontas was never a true princess” (James).

She “was never a true princess,” James states.

Among American Indian princesses, Pocahontas is not one (James).

INTEGRATING SOURCES

EXAMPLES:

According to American Royalty, “Pocahontas was never a true princess.”

“Pocahontas was never a true princess” (American Royalty).

She “was never a true princess,” states the author of “Pocahontas.”

Among American Indian princesses, Pocahontas is not one (“Pocahontas”).

TIME MANAGEMENT

TEST IS CURRENTLY PROJECTED TO LAST 90 MINUTES.

ALLOCATE 35 MINUTES FOR READING THE MATERIAL, DECIDING WHAT TO QUOTE, DEVELOPING A THESIS.

WRITE FOR 40 MINUTES.

PROOFREAD FOR PUNCTUATION, VOCABULARY, CORRECT CITATION, & OVERALL COHESIVENESS - LAST 15.