Transcript DE Synthesis PowerPoint Notes

Six Moves for Successful
Synthesis Essay Writing
Read
Analyze
Establish
a position
Converse on position
Develop a thesis
Argue position and cite sources
First, read and annotate
Underline, highlight, and write
short remarks beside the text or
graphic.
Second, Analyze the Text
What
What
claim is the source making?
concrete details does the source offer?
What
are the assumptions or beliefs (explicit
or unspoken) that warrant using this
evidence or data to support the claim?
Third, Find and Develop a Position
The
writer should ask, "What are two or
three (or more) possible positions on this
issue that I could take?
Which
of those positions do I really want
to take? Why?"
Avoid a Hasty Generalization!
A
stronger, more mature, more persuasive
essay will result if the writer resists
oversimplification.
The
best arguments are those in which the
thesis and development show clearly that
the writer has given some thought to the
nuances and complexities of the assigned
topic.
Fourth, Converse on Your Position:
The
writer needs to imagine presenting each
of his or her best positions on the issue to
each of the authors of the provided sources
in a refined, detailed manner.
Would
the author agree with the writer's
position? Why? Disagree? Why? Want to
qualify it in some way? Why and how?
Fifth, Craft a Thesis
This
proposition or thesis should appear
relatively quickly in the composition, after
a sentence or two that contextualizes the
topic or issue.
Finally, Cite Sources
Three
to five sources must be cited.
Sources
must be quoted and not generally
paraphrased.
Cite as follows:
According to author Jerald Diamond,
“Easter Island is Earth writ small.”
“Easter Island is Earth writ small”
(Diamond).
Works Cited
David
Jolliffe, professor of English at
the University of Arkansas in
Fayetteville
Jolliffe,
David. “Six Moves Towards
Success.” AP Central. 2007. Feb. 18
2008. http://apcentral.collegeboard.com