Synthesis # 1 Workshop

1. Synthesis # 1 Workshop

2. What I noticed…  • Most people • Used quotes • Tried to integrate their quotes • Referenced their quotes • Referred to the titles and authors in their topic sentence • Used a point by point comparison • Had good ideas 

3. But…. • Many people • Misunderstood the prompt • As result, they gave the wrong information • Did not introduce the characters • “they” • Did not integrate quotes properly or explain them • Did not provide a concluding sentence for each paragraph • Did not use transition words between ideas

4. Misunderstood the question • In a multi-paragraph (3 or more paragraphs) expository essay of at least 300 words, discuss the qualities that Erik Weihenmayer in “Blindy He Goes …Up” and Uncle Jim in “Versabraille” share in facing their challenges. You must refer to both passages. • What are qualities?

5. Did not introduce characters • Throughout the passages, “Blindly He Goes…Up” by Steve Rushin and “Versabraille” by Bill Schermbrucker, they share similarities when dealing with their challenges. • Who is they? • We don’t know!

6. Introducing Characters • Erik Weihenmayerin “Blindy He Goes …Up” by Steve Rushin and Uncle Jim in “Versabraille” by Bill Schermbrucker, both share the same qualities.

7. Integrating quotes • You need to introduce your quote • It cannot just appear in your writing. • This means, do no start a sentence with a quote. • Use an introductory phrase

8. Introductory Phrases • For example, “blah blahblah” (para 4). • For instance, “blah blahblah” (para 5). • In the story, it says “ blah blahblah” (para 3). • [Character name] states, “blah blahblah” (para 8).

9. More sophisticated introductions • He states that he does not climb Everest “because it’s there” but rather “because we’re here” (para 6). • In addition, to his own daily obstacles, Jim was “raising money to buy Versabraille machines” and “speaking out against guide dogs” (para 3). • Integrating the quote into part of your point is harder.

10. Concluding Sentences • For each paragraph you write, you must have a concluding sentence. • This ties together your points and reinforces your thesis.

11. Examples • See handout.

12. Use transition words • The best way to synthesize information is to use transition words to connect your ideas together. • Look at your transition words sheet. • Which words can be used when comparing?

13. Example • See handout.

14. Questions?

15. Practice Task • Plan out an essay using the same two stories, for each of the 4 other types of questions. • 1. Compare/Contrast • 2. Character X vs. character Y. • 3. Who is better… • 4. Asses…

16. 1. Compare and Contrast • Compareand contrast how Erik Weihenmayer from “Blindy He Goes…Up” and Jim from “Versabrailles” deal with their challenges.

17. 2. Character X vs. Character Y • Discuss the ways in which Erik Weihenmayer in “Blindly He Goes…Up” would likely respond to Jim in “Versabraille”.

18. 3. Who is better… • Which character Erik Weihenmayer in “Blindly He Goes…Up” or Uncle Jim in “Versabraille” is the better role model for people who are blind. You must refer to bothpassages in your essay

19. 4. Assess… • Assess the role that optimism plays in the lives of Eric Weihenmayer in “Blindy He Goes…Up” and Uncle Jim in “Versabraille”.