In the Synthesis Essay, you are going to enter an “Academic Conversation” by identifying a debatable issue, taking a position on that issue, and producing a sophisticated argument, synthesizing and integrating multiple sources as support.
This assignment will require your critical thinking and analytical reading skills. You will choose your own topic for this essay using Language Awareness chapters. Each chapter focuses on a controversial theme, but you do not have to limit yourself to pulling from sources in a single chapter. Feel free to combine selections from separate chapters (or pull from only one chapter). Identify a specific issue. Think of ways the readings can be applied to issues that are not explicitly or obviously presented in the texts.
Instructions:
Read broadly at first to help you identify your interests. You should then choose at least 3 essays (not chapters) from Language Awareness Chapters 6, 8, 10, 11, or 12 to read analytically and to annotate independently (these 3 essays should be the same as those used for the close reading assignment).
Identify a debatable issue using your close reading of those 3 (or more) selections.
Take a strong position on that issue.
Write a thesis-driven essay in which you enter the academic conversation by identifying the issue for an academic audience that is unfamiliar with the issue and convincingly argue for your position, using the 3 readings as support (synthesis).
Minimum Requirements (feel free to exceed minimums):
Word Count: 1000 words
Sources: 3 separate essays from Language Awareness
Style: Academic & MLA (or APA)
