WRT 120: Effective Writing
Argumentative Synthesis Project
1250 to 1500 Words (or equivalent)
Planning Worksheet due 4/11
First Rough Draft with Title (500 words or equivalent) due 4/13
Full Rough Draft due 4/27
Final Project and ePortfolio due 5/5
Objective:
The Argumentative Synthesis Project is the culmination of the semester’s research efforts. Every assignment you have done this semester has involved research, and increasingly, abstracting and synthesizing information from various sources. In the Synthesis Project, then, you should make your strongest and best-informed argument yet, based on evidence already collected, and the additional sources you’ll find for this assignment.
Description:
For this Argumentative Synthesis Project, you have the option to write a traditional argumentative essay, produce a project, or offer a multimodal presentation. Regardless of which form your Synthesis Project takes, you should adhere to the criteria in this prompt.
The goal of this project is synthesis, which means that essentially, you will put as many of the sources as you think are applicable and important (or are required) “in conversation” with one another. I suggest 5-7 sources of varying types, which can include your Coming to Questions Essay, the data from your Survey/Interview Essay, the Annotations assignment, and any additional research you conduct. Remember that you don’t have to agree with a source to draw upon it. But you must somehow render each source supportive of your central argument.
For this assignment, also concentrate on rhetorical principles. Plan for, and keep in mind as you compose:
for your audience (to whom you should tailor your language as well as the nature and extent of your explanation),
purpose (what do you want your audience to do with this information?),
exigence (the “so what” value),
and appeals like ethos (how will you demonstrate credibility, or expertise?).
You should also consider your audience regarding what form/format your project takes. An argumentative essay may be in order, or you can consider some other format (see below).
Your work should evidence argument coherence and arrangement. Though you have many sources to document and describe, your argument (and research question’s exigence) should be at the heart of each paragraph or aspect of the project. Remember, organization should not necessarily be determined by sources (e.g. “x” chunk, then “y” chunk, then “z”), but rather by the logic that best supports your argument. With this idea in mind, you should trend towards leading with your central ideas and claims, and use your sources to support your thinking. Avoid summarizing sources for the sake of summarizing. Put the sources to work for you.
Your project should also include address the stakes and implications of the issue you discuss. What people or groups stand to be affected by the outcome of research? What are the benefits of addressing the the concern? What are the consequences in not addressing it? How will this research change the way we think about the world and our place in it? Also: are there specific recommendations (for your audience, or those affected) you can make on the basis of your research?
Tips:
Consider using the most effective means (e.g., essay, public writing, video, social media, multimodal presentation, visual-based work, sonic-based work, etc.) through which you can present your argument to your audience.
An argumentative essay should be 1250 to 1500 words in length, be clearly organized by paragraphs, and evidence attention to the above considerations. It should also be formatted (MLA or APA is fine) and contain a references/works cited section.
A project-based work should be of equivalent rigor and evidence attention all the above considerations. Sources should be clearly referenced to support the argument and claims. The project should also include a References section.
The optional additional evidence you collect at this point can be from primary or secondary sources.
To find additional sources, look back at your previous essays to address: What questions remain unresolved? What claims need further substantiation?
Look back, too, at the feedback you have received from your peers and instructor. What additional questions did they have after reading your work that might lead you to additional sources?
Remember: it can be good for your ethos and the strength of your argument to engage the “naysayer” by naming and addressing sources that disagree with or contradict some of your major premises.
