Synthesis Essay Review

1. Synthesis Essay Review

2. COVER PAGE • Background: • Information about the subject • Can contain directions • Prompt: • The question you will be responding to • Sources • Check to find the most reliable • New date? • Legit publication? • Which one is the visual?

3. BACKGROUND:Use this helpful information SOURCES:Carefully read the sources ; then synthesize information from at least three (3) of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay. PROMPT: Read the prompt carefully!

4. Is the following information stated? • How many sources do you need to use? • Is this an argument or explanatory essay? Next… • Summarize (in one sentence or phrase) the basic question you will be answering

5. PRE-WRITE CONSIDERATIONS • Argument? • You are taking a stand for or against something • Explanatory? • Explain the topic by analyzing the sources • What is the subject? • Hint: Whatever you’re writing about • Who is the audience?. • Outline your ideas • No need to write in full sentences (especially if this is a timed writing!) • Use parenthetical citations • Your conclusion must relate back to your hook!

6. ANNOTATING HANDOUT

7. WHAT IS ANNOTATING? an·no·tate /ˈanəˌtāt/ verb 1. add notes to (a text or diagram) giving explanation or comment • "documentation should be annotated with explanatory notes" synonyms: comment on, add notes/footnotes to • AKA: Mark up the page with MEANINGFUL comments The following are NOT annotations: • This is sad • ☺ • I think so too! • Random highlights without explanation

8. FIRST STEPS OF ANNOTATING Forbs is a well known/reliable magazine Prediction-the author will probably say that 3D printing is okay. • WRITE: Number the paragraphs or “chunks” of text • THINK: Take a look at the title/author/publisher/date of publication • Do you recognize the author’s name? • Was this article published a long time ago? • THINK: Make predictions • Based on the title, what could this be about? • THINK: Question Reliability of Source • If it is from Wikipedia or Ask.com etc. it is NOT reliable! Run away from this source! • WRITE: Begin to annotate using the abbreviation codes on your bookmark 1 2 3 4 5 This source is only 2 years old-it should still have fairly recent information.

9. SUGGESTED CODING • V=Vocabulary word • You need to look it up OR it is a great Tier 3 word • ?=Question • This question could be answered in another source • *=Information that supports the thesis statement/author • This info will back up their opinion • Underline=Details that are against the author’s position • A counterargument they include • TT=Text to Text • Another article, book etc connects to it • TW=Text to World • Connects to a current event • TS=Text to Self (use sparingly!) • Connects to your own life • Highlight important info that you might use as evidence in your actual essay

10. ORGANIZING THE ESSAY HANDOUT

11. ESSAY ORGANIZATION • Multi-paragraph: • Introduction • Body • Body • Conclusion

12. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH • This paragraph introduces the topic and provides a roadmap for the rest of the paper • Introduction is 3-4 sentences in length • What do you need to include? • Attention Grabber - The first sentence to “hook” your audience • Thesis Statement – 1 sentence that explains… • The topic • 2 subtopics about the topic • make sure you can back this up with evidence from the sources

13. HOOK/ATTENTION GRABBER IDEAS • Shocking facts – a startling fact can attract people easily to join the conversation • Scenario hook – the scene hook instantly instructs the mind of the reader to picture the scene • Anecdote - a brief, related story can illustrate the points you intend to make • Humorous hook – use some humor in the essay by simply providing a statement that is ridiculously funny or absurd

14. AVOIDTHESE ATTENTION GRABBERS • Have you ever wondered…? • The definition of ____ is… • In this essay I will tell you about…

15. THESIS STATEMENT • THESIS STATEMENT - onecomplete sentence that responds to the prompt and contains two main ideas to support the response. It proves that your opinion is right! • How to Generate a Thesis Statement: • Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. • For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class.”

16. ANSWER THE QUESTION Turn your answer to the question into a complete sentence. Then you have your thesis statement! • Q: “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” • A: “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .” OR • A: Better option: “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .” The response to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

17. BODY PARAGRAPHS • 2 body paragraphs • Use SEE sets

18. Writing SEE Sets: Writing Made Visible SEE SET IS FOR ARGUMENT OR EXPLANATORY ESSAYS • S—Statement about the topic that you are going to prove and explain • E—Evidence that proves your topic (facts/quotes from the sources)* • E—Explanation or elaboration of that evidence *Source Evidence - • Evidence taken from a text • Punctuated AND cited appropriately

19. Statement Evidence Explanation/Elaboration Example: S: Many people who need organ transplants die before a suitable organ can be obtained. E: Russon shares that a U.S. company “designs and creates living human tissue…that can grow into human organs.” E: Technology advancements such as this can only serve to radically increase the critical dearth of transplantable organs.

20. Basic Paragraph Structure A well-developed paragraph is two or more SEE sets expanded. • Topic Sentence - Statement that clarifies your focus for the paragraph • SEE Set- Statement/example/explanation of your 1st piece of evidence • SEE Set - Statement/example/explanation of your 2nd piece of evidence • Concluding Sentence- Commentary that ties these SEE sets back to your topic sentence. Total of ______ sentences!

21. BREAKDOWN OF PARAGRAPH SENTENCES • Topic Sentence • Statement • Evidence • Explanation • Statement (serves as a transition too!) • Evidence • Explanation • Conclusion Sentence

22. Counter Argument • A paragraph on its own OR a single SEE set within your second body paragraph • Varies by essay • There is a reason your argument could be wrong…what is it? • Example: • If you think 4th grade classrooms should get computers…why would someone think they shouldn’t? • Too expensive • Should focus on handwriting • They can do everything out of a book

23. Counter Argument Paragraph •On the other hand, the use of 3D printing poses some daunting challenges. One such concern is the Illegal production of guns.In NPR, ATF assistant director Marianos observes that “when these 3-D firearms are manufactured, some of the weapons can defeat normal” (Johnson). 3D printing makes it significantly easier for criminals to obtain weapons that can be used to commit crimes. Another issue that must be considered is the impact on the consumer. Dawson shares his concern that “a wide variation in standards and quality” would occur. This means that 3D printing could result in a decrease in product regulation. There are many valid concerns about the downside of 3D printing.

24. CONCLUSION • This paragraph does NOT merely repeat what has already been said • It offers new insight and leaves the reader with something to think about • This paragraph is 2-3 sentences in length • What do I need to include? • Restate your thesis using different words • Tie it back to your hook

25. HOW TO CITE

26. CITATIONS • You must give the author credit for his/her ideas • Requirements: • Put their words in “quotation marks” in order to show that they are the one who came up with it • Include their name • 2 types of citations • Parenthetical citations: last name of the author is in parentheses at the end of the sentence OR • Embedded citations: In the lead in of a sentence include the author’s

27. RULES to remember: • Use a lead in to your quote - Evidence cannot be just one big quote. • Good Example: • According to Renato Sesana, a writer for the journal Wajibu: A Journal of Social and Religious Concern, “People will buy it even without is being advertised.” • Bad example: • “People will buy it even without is being advertised.” • Don’t BEGIN or END a paragraph with direct quotes • Don’t use quotes in • Introduction • Conclusion

28. RULES CONTINUED • Keep quotes short • The quoted evidence must make sense in the sentence • Good: • Jeffrey Schrank, the author of Deception Detection, suggests, “The purpose of classroom study of advertising is to raise the level of awareness about the persuasive techniques used in ads.” • Bad: • Jeffrey Schrank says, “The purpose of classroom study of advertising is to raise the level of awareness about the persuasive techniques used in ads.”

29. Parenthetical Method 1 Action Verb Author’s name Parenthetical Citation Notice that the only period is after the parentheses.

30. Parenthetical Method 2 Parenthetical Citation Action Verb Author’s name QUOTE that

31. Embedded Method 1 Author of the article “Article title” Author’s Full name Action Verb Citations that introduce the author’s name in the lead in and then “give the quote so there are no parentheses required.” Notice that the period goes inside the quotation marks.

32. Embedded Method 2 Author of the article “Article title” Action Verb Author’s Full name

33. SOME EXAMPLES OF SIGNAL PHRASES FOR LEAD INS • Schrank believes that “...” • In Deception Detection, Schrank asserts that “...” • The chart, “Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising Survey,” demonstrates ...

34. WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW PART OF THE SOURCE? • Know the author’s name? • Use their name • Don’t know the author’s name? • Use the “Article Title” in quotation marks • Don’t know the “Article Title?” • Use the publication in Italics • Don’t know the publication? • Is this even a reliable source?!

35. Examples for citing Example of Parenthetical Citation – Known Author According to Advertising: Information or Manipulation, “Advertising also educates” (Day).

36. Examples for citing Example of Parenthetical Citation – unknown author, use article title in quotes The Nielsen Companyconfirms that “text ads on mobile phones” are trusted by 71% of respondents. (“Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising Survey”).

37. Teacher Considerations when Grading Writing Assignments Pretend you are grading with me. Fix your own errors.

38. BASIC CONVENTIONS ETC. • Correct grammar, word choice, sentence fluency • On your paper: Fix any convention errors

39. EVIDENCE, EVIDENCE, EVIDENCE! • Are there at least 2 pieces of evidence in each body paragraph? On your paper: Make note of where more evidence is needed.

40. LEAD INS • A sentence can NOT just be a quote • Bad example: • “Advertising tells you what you need” (Day). • Use the word wall for action verbs • Make sure the evidence flows as a part of the full sentence • NO: • Advertisements are good , “Advertising tells you what you need” (Day). • Yes: • Day acknowledges that advertisements can have a positive effect.”

41. CITATION FORMAT - check your citations • ALL evidence must have citations • Embedded citation - A lead-in including the author or title of the article, “interesting quote.” • Example: • According to the chart, “Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising Survey,” 71% of consumers trust text ads on mobile phones. • Parenthetical citation - A lead in phrase using a power verb from the word wall, “Quote word for word from the source” (Author Last name OR “Title”). • Example: • A study found that 71% of consumers trust text ads on mobile phones(“Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising Survey”)..

42. ESSAY FORMAT • 4 paragraphs total • 8 sentences in each paragraph

43. TITLE • Creative! • NO: • WOD • 3D Printers • 3D Printers are Good

44. INTRODUCTION • Attention grabber • NO! • Have you ever wondered…? • Did you know…? • Advertisements are everywhere • Lots of people see advertisements • Background • Lead up to if your thesis is going to support advertisements or not • Thesis • Effect • Two reasons

45. BODY PARAGRAPHS SEE SETS • Topic Sentence • SEE Set • SEE Set • Conclusion Sentence

46. NO FIRST PERSON • No I, me, us, our, we

47. NO CONTRACTIONS • No contractions • Can’t, won’t, don’t etc. • Don’t = do not

48. MLA FORMAT • Header • Heading

49. ADDITIONAL PRACTICE

50. ADDITIONAL PRACTICE • Bad WOD and how to fix it • Key to fixing a bad WOD