English 250 Web Section 5 Summer 2013 Tara Gilstrap, Instructor

Synthesis Essay: Putting Sources Into Conversation

Final Synthesis Essay Due: Sunday, June 9th at 5:00pm CST. Purpose: To participate in an ongoing discourse by synthesizing information from two provided sources. While your essay should offer a brief look at the general topic, its goal is to analyze information and to put the two sources in conversation with each other. Audience: An academic audience who is already somewhat familiar with your topic. Consider what this discourse community may already know about the topic. Assume its general familiarity with the two sources (such as a first-reading familiarity). Message: Varies according to your message. You must make a compelling argument about the sources using a Claim-Evidence-Warrant format. Remember that you must pinpoint a specific topic/approach related to the sources. Your essay should evaluate, not summarize, the sources. Format: 3-5 pages (3 full pages; title page & References page do NOT count toward the paper total) typed, double-spaced. You must use APA documentation and include a title page and correctly formatted References page. We will review APA documentation in more detail and you should use A Writers Reference to answer questions about formatting. This assignment will be submitted electronically with the file name YourLastName_Synthesis.doc (or .docx). You must use the two sources assigned and reviewed in class. These sources must be correctly cited in your essay and References page. You should employ a formal academic tone, word choice, and technical language. Your paper should also include a title page and a References page. We will discuss how to incorporate these elements of APA formatting into your paper. Do NOT include block quotes. Instead, rely on paraphrasing to convey most of your information. Assessment: 100 points possible (10% of your final grade): Your assessment will be based on completeness and on whether you develop each element of the assignment in an effective and thorough manner. Planning, drafting, revision, and self-evaluation will all be considered in the assessment process. Please see the grading rubric for more specific information. Process: 1. Read the two sources carefully and more than once. Take notes as you read and consider how the sources approach the topic in similar and different ways. 2. Brainstorm what you have observed about the sources. Be sure to include evaluative comments.

3. Based on the information you generate, outline your argument, paying careful attention to how you put the two sources in conversation with each other. 5. Draft your synthesis paper. Cite all of your information as you draft and create a draft of your APA References page. 6. Receive feedback from your colleague or instructor 7. Revise your first draft to create a final draft. Be sure to include a title page. 8. Complete a self-evaluation to submit with your final draft.

Reminder: Your final formatted APA Synthesis paper must include. Title page Header & page number on every page References page with the two assigned sources