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This synthesis paper assignment requires a thesis-driven essay that reflects your understanding of the texts and integrates what you have learned in a novel way. You should use at least five of the required texts and avoid doing additional research.
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Synthesis Paper Strategies PEEP 2008
Assignment • thesis driven essay • should reflect understanding of texts • integrate what you’ve learned in some novel way • at least five of the required texts • strongly discouraged from doing additional research
Define “Synthesis” What do YOU think we want you to do?
Define “Synthesis” • Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough.
Define “Synthesis” • Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough. • Making connections between sources, yes. But that’s still not enough.
Define “Synthesis” • Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough. • Making connections between sources, yes. But that’s still not enough. • Using multiple sources to back up your own thesis, great! What else?
Define “Synthesis” • Using more than one source, yes. But that’s not enough. • Making connections between sources, yes. But that’s still not enough. • Using multiple sources to back up your own thesis, great! What else? • Combining sources topically, not proceeding source-by-source.
“What it Ain’t”(Karen Craigo, General Studies Writing Program,Bowling Green State University) • “A synthesized essay should leave a reader with a holistic sense that the writer has conveyed his or her own new ideas, and has drawn upon a chorus of voices for support.”
“What it Ain’t”(Karen Craigo, General Studies Writing Program,Bowling Green State University) It ain’t … • Two or more sources in a paragraph, period. • Several sources but mostly one. • False relationships between sources. • Flooding your paper with the voices of as many other writers as possible.
Planning:The Grid of Common Points(T.B. Henning, Indiana U. Writing Center) • While reading, note repeated words or ideas. • Also note conflicts or contradictions. • Based on all of the above, write main research question answered by source material. • Turn these into categories for a grid.
Exercise • Read handout “Recognizing Synthesis.” • With another student, develop a list of specific techniques used in revision, which improved the synthesis. • Share with the whole class.
Organize Your Paper Around a Thesis Broad Context Thesis
Organize Your Paper Around a Thesis Thesis Broad Significance