Transcript Synthesis Essay - Manchester Local School District

How to write a perfect synthesis essay
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The college Board wants to determine how
well the student can do the following:
Read critically
Understand texts
Analyze text
Develop a position on a given topic
Support a position with appropriate
evidence
Incorporate outside sources into the texts
of the essay
Cite sources used in the essay
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The prompt
contains an
Introduction and
description of an
issue that has
varying
viewpoints
associated with
it.
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Along with the topic, you will be given a
selection of sources:
Text
Non-fiction
Poetry
Chart
Letter
News article
Photo
Fiction
cartoon
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After carefully reading and annotating
the sources, you must respond to the
prompt and integrate and correctly cite
at least three of the sources in your
response.
The first possibility is an EXPOSITORY
Develop the thesis and support with
specific examples from sources by any
of these strategies:
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Compare and contrast
Cause and effect
Analysis
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The second kind of synthesis essay
presents an ARGUMENT.
For an argumentative essay, you will
take a position based on the prompt,
and support, refute, or qualify and
support with the sources.
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Deconstruct the synthesis prompt
Read and annotate each of the given
texts related to the synthesis prompts
Decide how you will address the prompt
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5-6 minutes going back to the texts and
deciding which you will use in your
essay
8-10 minutes planning the support of
your position
20 minutes writing the essay
3-4 minutes checking to make certain
that you have incorporated at least
three sources into your response
3 minutes proofreading
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You must spend time carefully reading
and deconstructing the prompt!
Carefully read introductory material and
the assignment.
THE INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL IS
CENTRAL TO COMPLETING THE
PROMPT AS DIRECTED. DO NOT SKIP
IT!
Do this: I have decided to use
Source A _ Source B _ Source C _ Souce
D_
Set up your thesis paragraph
• Direct reference to the prompt and/or
introduction
• Clearly state your point (main idea)
• Write your thesis
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Use a variety of ways to integrate your
source material:
Begin with an attribution (According to ___)
Paraphrase and cite (source C).
Clips from direct quotes and cite
Contrary to what the court sees as
“permissible public use” (source C), a
government foreclosing on a home goes
against personal property rights.
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Do not rehash or summarize!
Add a pertinent memorable point or
come full circle from your opening.
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An argument has two sides, and to
effectively argue, it’s essential to
present points of view within the
context of your paper.
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Classical
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Rogerian
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Toulmin
Began in ancient Greece
around 5th century B.C.
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Communicated orally and
designed to be easily
understood by listeners
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Based on formal logic,
including the syllogism
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Six main components
1)
Introduction: captures attention of audience; urges
audience to consider your case
2) Statement of Background: narrates the key facts and/or
events leading up to your case
3) Proposition: states the position you are taking, based on
the information you’ve already presented, and sets up
the structure of the rest of your argument
4) Proof: discusses your reasons for your position and
provides evidence to support each reason
5) Refutation: anticipates opposing viewpoints; then
demonstrates why your approach is the only acceptable
one (i.e. better than your opponents’)
6) Conclusion: summarizes your most important points and
can include appeals to feelings or values (pathos)
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Developed by British philosopher
Stephen Toulmin in the 1950’s
Emphasizes that logic often based on
probability rather than certainty
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Focuses on claims
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Three primary components
Claim = My parents should allow me to
go to my friend’s party on Friday night.
Data = The parents of nearly all of the
juniors at UHS have given their children
permission to attend this party.
Warrant = My parents should act in
accordance with the other parents of
juniors at UHS.
What if my parents don’t “buy”
my warrant? What if they
don’t think they should
necessarily do what other
parents are doing?
How can I still get permission
to attend the party? Or at
least have a better chance of
getting permission?
What might be more
convincing data for an
audience of parents?
What might be a warrant
that most parents will
share?
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Developed by psychologist Carl Rogers
(also in the ’50s)
Emphasizes problem-solving and/or
coming to consensus
Allows the author to appear openminded or even objective
Appropriate in contexts where you need
to convince a resistant opponent to at
least respect your views
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Introduction:
statement of problem to be solved or question to be
answered
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Summary of Opposing Views:
described using a seemingly objective persona
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Statement of Understanding:
concedes circumstances under which opposing views
might be valid
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Statement of Your Position
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Statement of Contexts:
describes contexts in which your position applies/works
well
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Statement of Benefits:
appeals to self-interest of readers who may not yet agree
with you; demonstrates how your position benefits them
Set up of the thesis paragraph
 Introductory Statement
 Statement of the problem to be solved
 Summary of understanding of each side
 Thesis :Begin with Although or While
First = Concession
Second = Position you are supporting
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Possible Thesis
Although laws restricting cell phone use while driving
are an infringement on personal privacy and a
violation of First Amendment rights, legislation must
be passed that bans the use of all communication
devices while driving to protect others from
distracted drivers.
Although the use of communication devices while
driving is proven to be distracting and potentially
dangerous, laws banning usage infringe on personal
privacy, and an individual’s First Amendment rights
must be protected at all costs.
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1. Review the notes on the synthesis essay.
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2. Read and outline the introductory material and
prompt.
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3. Decide what position you will take and list your
reasons and any examples that come to mind.
4. Decide how you will respond to the prompt.
5. Read and annotate each source. Decide how you
will use it in your essay (don’t forget concession)
6. Make a chart of those you plan to use.
A___ B ___ C ___ D ___ E ___ F ___