Synthesis Essay

Draft-in-progress . .

Full draft of synthesis paper due.
One of the definitions of the word synthesis is to create something new from the parts or elements of
other things. Unsurprisingly, a synthesis essay incorporates ideas and viewpoints from multiple sources
to develop a new piece of an academic conversation. For this assignment, I am asking you to bring
together the two essays we’ve read so far and use them to support a unique claim. In other words, this
synthesis essay should have an argument. If you wish, you may use additional texts in your essay. Your
essay should use MLA style and be 4-6 pages in length. Your works cited page does not count toward the
page total.

Tips to get started:
• Read the texts again. Do you notice anything new on a second read?

• Create a working thesis statement. What is the main claim or idea of your essay?

• Remember that you are entering an academic conversation. What might the texts have to say about
your main idea, and what might the texts have to say to each other?

• What quotes or ideas from the texts will you use in your essay, and how will you provide context for
them? Will you need to use academic summary in your essay?

• Remember, your sources should support your ideas as well as connect to each other in some way. The
sources might agree or disagree with each other, or they might confirm, reject, elaborate on one
another, or emphasize a point. Etc. Show these connections.

• Organize your ideas. You could create an outline, a mind map, or use some other strategy to establish
your main claim and supporting points.

• Be sure to cite your sources.