In WR 112, students will write a formal, argument-driven synthesis essay bringing together three texts. Scaffold the assignment with a series of reading journals, summaries, claim-writing workshops, and other pre-writing assignments as you see fit, and walk students through a process of peer review for their essay. Students should be developing claims with a fair amount of independence, in preparation for WR 120. Feel free to draw on other resources when teaching students these important skills.

Objective

to write a compelling argument-driven academic analysis (synthesis) with three sources; to use effective and logical paragraphs, transitions, organization, and topic sentences to develop your argument and move back and forth between your sources; to use appropriate evidence (quotations) from your sources with MLA-style in-text citation and a final list of works cited to support your argument; to edit and proofread your essay effectively; to produce a 4-5 page paper (1,200-1,500 word) academic paper.

Key Terms

analysis; argument; synthesis

Assignment Template

    You will develop your own topic for this essay in consultation with me, based on our class discussions and course readings.

    Your essay must have the following elements:

    • introduction with brief identification of the authors and works
    • thesis statement/claim (arguable, supportable, and carefully worded)
    • interesting and informative title, related to your claim
    • strong transitions and topic sentences
    • effective support for your claim (with quotes and explication)
    • conclusion which answers the “so what?” question
    • MLA-style citations and Works Cited list

    The task here is to bring together your three chosen authors to engage in a larger conversation.  Think about what the authors might have to say to each other.

    • Is one piece an example of the argument another makes? 
    • Does one treatment support or undermine an argument/perspective put forth by the others? 
    • What might reading them together reveal about the theme itself? 

    Remember that a claim is the answer to a problem that shows your reader why the claim matters. To get to this problem, ask yourself some questions: 

    • How does each text treat your chosen theme? 
    • Why does this theme seem significant or productive?
    • Does reading the three works provide new insights about how they treat your chosen theme? 
    • In other words, what’s at stake here?

    When you initially introduce your texts, make sure to give your reader a brief but comprehensive summary of the salient points based on the analysis you are making. Remember that you do not have to completely agree or disagree with your texts. The more interesting arguments are those that are nuanced rather than absolute. 

    When quoting, make sure your quotes (both in-text and block ones are required for this paper) are accurate and complete and their context is clear.  Pay close attention to voice markers so that it is clear to the reader whose argument is being presented.  

    Scaffolding Assignment Options

      Note: Instructors may choose one or more of these options to assign as pre-writing homework and/or to work through together in class. Different instructors lead students to this assignment in different ways. You may also wish to use this handout of tips for a synthesis paper to help students think about one approach to paper structure

      Option 1: Thematic connection brainstorming

      1. In small groups, refresh your memories: what were all of the essays we discussed so far?
      2. Brainstorm a list of the themes we discovered in each of the essays we read and write it down the left side of a piece of paper.
      3. On the right side, write the themes we have identified in the longer work so far.
      4. Draw arrows to connect them to corresponding themes in the essays.
      5. In a group, look more closely at the connections: What quotes from one particular text jump out at you as connecting to these themes? What connections to the other texts seem most fruitful? What are you noticing at this point in your analysis?

        Option 2: Reading journals

        Leading up to this paper assignment in this class is a series of short, ½ page – 1 page analytical “reading journal” assignments. You may think of the journals as chances to work through an interesting or complex passage in the reading for a particular day, to try out a possible connection to another text, or otherwise to pursue a possible topic for your synthesis paper. Your journals should be thoughtful, specific (including a quote, with proper citation), and analytical. Your work on these journals, and my comments on them, will help point you in useful directions for your paper. Of course, you may also see a Writing Center tutor as you work on your journals and paper draft.

        1. Journals can be short–no longer than one page double-spaced.
        2. Journals should not merely summarize/restate main points.
        3. Journals should not plagiarize: using phrases or sentences from “reader’s notes” sites or online book reviews is, as should hopefully be evident, not acceptable.
        4. Journals should not focus primarily or exclusively on similes, descriptive language, or other stylistic/rhetorical features of the text.

        You will have a reading journal due in class every day that there is a reading assignment due in the . For the first five minutes of class you will work in the same group of 3-4 students each day to briefly share what you wrote in your journals. Rather than exchanging papers and reading your peers’ writing, though, for now you should just discuss the reading, your points of interest and of confusion, and your possible connections or ideas for your final paper.

        • Did you not quite understand something in part of the reading for the day? Ask your group to fill you in.
        • Do you have an idea for a connection to another text but worry it is too far-fetched? Ask your group what they think of your idea.
        • Are you completely stuck for connections to other texts and possible paper topics? Ask your group for help.

        Option 3: Proposal/Prospectus

        In preparation for your final paper, you will draft and hand in a proposal. The proposal will take the form of a letter and will consist of two parts.

        In Part 1 of the letter, you will:

        • explain why you chose the three texts,
        • describe what you have decided to argue in your paper, and
        • submit a draft of your claim.

        In Part 2, you will:

        • list the reasons you believe your claim to be true, and
        • include a few of the passages you have selected to support your argument (with page references).

        The letter will help you organize your thoughts for this ambitious academic paper, and will also allow me to make sure that you are on the right track.