Essay 2: Synthesis Essay
Length: 3-4 pages double-spaced
Format: MLA format, Times New Roman, Size 12, 1-inch margins
Assignment:
In this essay, you will read a few sources on a subtopic related to identity (given by instructor), and then you will draw the sources together by considering how the writers’ think differently on the topic, write differently about it, focus on various angles of the topic, and intersect (or not) in significant ways. You should base your essay on an overarching point you are making about the articles/authors and identity. Consider the insight you’ve gained by examining the articles together. You will need to reference (through quotation and paraphrase) the articles in your essay.
Your purpose is to show that you have understood complex articles, thought critically about them, and discovered intersections among them. Your goal is notto agree or disagree with a writer, or judge that one is correct versus another. You should assume that the reader has also read the articles so that means you do not need to summarize the articles.
What is synthesis?
Any piece of writing (paragraph, short article, book) that integrates material from several sources uses synthesis. Synthesizing sources involves smoothly weaving paraphrases and quotations into your discussion, balancing material from two or more sources with your own knowledge and connections. Synthesis can be used for various goals (analyzing a text, explaining a concept, giving information, arguing a point) depending on the particular assignment.For this essay, you are being informative and comparative. The synthesis is not just a listing of similarities and/or differences between two articles.
Genre Conventions:
Synthesis/Response essays usually rely on conventions such as
- Understanding of source material and writers’ ideas
- Logical connections (comparisons and contrasts) between sources/writers/ideas
- Use and citation of quotes, paraphrase, and summary
- Clear, topic-based organization
Topic Choices:
- Language, Education, & Identity Readings
- Ethnicity, Race, & Identity Readings
- Technology, Society, & Identity Readings
- Religion, Belief, & Identity Readings
- Identity in Popular Culture Readings
- Identity in Cultural/Global Trends Readings
Here are some general questions to help as you read, take notes, and make connections:
- How does the writer connect various subtopics about identity—for instance, their personal identity and religious faith, or their personal identity and ethnicity?
- What does identity mean to the writer? What conflicts or challenges does she address?
- What does the writer say about how identity (the specific kind they’re addressing) does, should, or should not work in society—generally or in particular contexts (like the workplace, advertising, school, etc)?
Grading Rubric:
Your essay will be graded on the following qualities—their specifics dictated by the genre and topic:
- Focus & Thesis
- Content & Development
- Organization
- Grammar & Style
- Citation