Essay Assignment: Synthesis
Topic
Find and read 3 different library database newspaper articles (see the "Notes" section below) on a current social issue. Synthesize (or combine) shared elements of each article into your own paper to make a unified statement about them.
This is not an argument. This paper should not contain your opinion. It should be an informative paper based on information found in and summarized from the articles. You are simply finding, combining, organizing, and reporting on information you read in the articles. The articles should be at least 2 pages each.
Research
The only research that should be done for this paper is to locate the newspaper articles using KSU's library database. Once found, use the content of the articles solely to inform your paper. Include a mixture of paraphrases and quotations from the 3 articles, using APA style. All 3 sources must be used at least once in each body paragraph.
Format
The paper should have 3 sections: introduction, 3 synthesis paragraphs, and a conclusion. Essays needs a synthesized theme.
Turn In
• Title page
• Outline (with thesis at top & at least two sub-points per body paragraph)
• 5 paragraphs (only)
• 3 citations per body paragraph (9 minimum) using this format: (Smith, 2010, para. 2).
• References page listing 3 article sources in APA format.
Notes
You must use this link to find your articles. This should be a direct/deductive paper. Make sure to include a thesis statement, thesis restatement, topic sentences, and paragraph summaries. Each paragraph must be at least 12 sentences.
Your topic must be approved before you start writing. Each student must have a different topic. Turn in a complete draft only: title page, outline, essay, and references. There will be one draft and one revision of this paper. The draft and revision grades earn separate grades.
Video games, cell phones, computers, GM foods, global warming, and social media cannot be topics for this essay.
Synthesis Essay Worksheet 1 (Not an Outline)
Article Information
• Article PDF 1:
• Article PDF 2:
• Article PDF 3:
Subject of the Articles:
Theme you invented from the Articles:
Summary of Article 1:
Summary of Article 2:
Summary of Article 3:
Synthesis Essay Worksheet 2 - Gathering Quotations
Focus (Theme you invented from the Articles): Main Points:
Main Point 1:
Quotation/Paraphrase 1:
Quotation/Paraphrase 2:
Quotation/Paraphrase 3:
Main Point 2:
Quotation/Paraphrase 1:
Quotation/Paraphrase 2:
Quotation/Paraphrase 3:
Main Point 3:
Quotation/Paraphrase 1:
Quotation/Paraphrase 2:
Quotation/Paraphrase 3: