Assignment Question
The synthesis essay requires you to demonstrate critical reading skills, rhetorical analysis strategies, and incorporation of your own ideas based on what you’ve learned on the topic of caring for our common home. You should make connections across at least four texts to support your position in response to the question: How do/can/should we care for our common home? To write a detailed and focused paper, you will want to narrow this question further by focusing on a particular point of comparison between several sources. For example, you might consider how several sources explain the threat of human impact on climate change. Or you might think specifically about youth activists and resistance by older generations to make change. Goals: Rhetorically analyze 4-6 texts from our course readings by identifying their creator, audience, purpose, context, and other rhetorical features. Incorporate, contextualize, and examine multiple passages to make connections across the texts (put them into conversation together). Directly cite your sources (from our course texts) to support your own ideas that you’ve come to through critical thinking. Explain to readers how you read the texts and the connections you’ve come to. Formatting: 4-6 pages double-spaced, Times New Roman font 4-6 course texts cited as references in text and an MLA formatted Works Cited page 3-line, single-spaced head with your name, class title and section, and the date. Essential Elements: Context (background) – Summarize each of your texts so that your readers are provided with sufficient contextual information and can engage with the connection points you are making between them. Claim – Take a stance on the topic of caring for our common home based on what you have learned from the texts and incorporating your own perspective from lived experiences. Your stance should be held up by rationale and evidence from the texts. Synthesis – Your goal should be to cite or refer to 2 (or more) of the texts per synthesis paragraph. Integrate quotes or paraphrases as evidence of the similarities and differences you are noting between the texts. Conclusion – why are these perspectives on this topic important? Why do your synthesis and the perspective you came to matter for other readers/people to consider? Choose 5 of the sources you are most likely to integrate into your synthesis paper, based on patterns or themes you’re already noticing. For each source, briefly summarize the stance on a topic/theme in your own words and include at least one specific textual example. You might look at your annotations, other notes, and our collaborative class notes to help you do this. As a reminder, here is the list of our sources from unit 2: “Halloween in the Anthropocene,” by Criag Santos Perez | Spoken word “Care for our Common Home,” by Jesuits Global | Website “Its not Climate Change, Its Everything Change,” by Margaret Atwood | Online article (Medium) “Race and Environmental Justice,” by Heather McTeer Toney and Steve Curwood (host) | Podcast “A Letter to Adults,” by Alexandria Villaseñor | Essay “A Green New Deal,” by Rhiana Gunn-Wright | Essay “The Disarming Case to Act Right Now,” by Greta Thunberg | Ted Talk The Letter: A Message for our Earth, directed by Nicolaus Brown, letter by Pope Francis | Documentary “What to do with Climate Emotions,” by Jia Tolentino | Online article (The New Yorker) “Once the World was Perfect,” by Joy Harjo | Poem
Answer
Introduction
Caring for our common home has become an urgent and multifaceted issue in today’s world, encompassing environmental, social, and ethical dimensions. This synthesis essay aims to explore and analyze various aspects of this critical topic by drawing connections across at least four texts from our course readings. By examining these texts, we will delve into the complexities surrounding environmental stewardship, including the threat of human impact on climate change, the role of youth activists, and resistance by older generations to change. Through a rhetorical analysis of these texts, we will identify their creators, audiences, purposes, contexts, and other rhetorical features to gain a comprehensive understanding of the discourse surrounding the care for our common home. In the process of synthesizing these texts, we will incorporate quotations and paraphrases from 4-6 course texts to support our perspective and critical thinking. This synthesis will not only serve as a platform to contextualize and examine multiple passages but also to explain how we interpret the texts and the connections we have identified. The synthesis paper will be structured over 4-6 pages, double-spaced, adhering to MLA formatting guidelines. It will also include a Works Cited page and a three-line, single-spaced header with relevant course information. The ultimate aim of this synthesis essay is to shed light on the significance of the perspectives presented in these texts and why they matter for broader consideration.
Sources Selected for Synthesis
The selected sources for synthesis encompass a diverse range of perspectives on the topic of caring for our common home. “Halloween in the Anthropocene” by Craig Santos Perez explores the environmental consequences of contemporary celebrations, offering a unique lens through which to view the impact of cultural practices on our planet. “Care for our Common Home” by Jesuits Global focuses on the moral and ethical dimensions of environmental stewardship, providing insights from the Jesuit community’s perspective. Margaret Atwood’s “It’s not Climate Change, It’s Everything Change” challenges conventional views by examining the interconnectedness of climate change with various aspects of society, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective. “A Letter to Adults” by Alexandria Villaseñor adds a youthful voice to the discourse, urging older generations to take immediate action on climate change. Lastly, “A Green New Deal” by Rhiana Gunn-Wright presents a policy-oriented approach, proposing the concept of a Green New Deal as a means to address environmental challenges systematically. These sources collectively provide a rich tapestry of perspectives that will be synthesized to gain a comprehensive understanding of caring for our common home.
Synthesis and Connection Points
One common theme across these texts is the urgent need for collective action to address environmental issues. Craig Santos Perez’s spoken word piece poignantly highlights how even seemingly innocuous activities like Halloween can have far-reaching ecological consequences, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our actions with the environment. Similarly, Alexandria Villaseñor’s essay passionately underscores the urgency of climate action, particularly from older generations who hold significant power to effect change. This common thread of urgency underscores the gravity of the environmental challenges we face. On the other hand, Margaret Atwood’s article takes a broader perspective, asserting that climate change is not a standalone issue but rather a catalyst for broader societal changes. This perspective adds depth to the conversation by framing environmental issues within a larger context of societal transformation. Moreover, Rhiana Gunn-Wright’s essay on the Green New Deal proposes a policy-driven solution to environmental problems, emphasizing the role of government and legislation in addressing climate change. This perspective introduces a pragmatic approach to environmental care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the synthesis of these diverse texts reveals the multifaceted nature of caring for our common home. The urgency conveyed by Perez and Villaseñor’s texts highlights the moral and ethical imperatives of addressing environmental issues promptly. Atwood’s perspective expands the discourse by connecting climate change to broader societal changes, prompting readers to consider the profound impact of environmental degradation on all aspects of life. Gunn-Wright’s policy-oriented approach offers a practical pathway toward environmental care through legislative action. These perspectives are vital because they engage readers in a comprehensive discussion about the challenges and potential solutions regarding our common home. By analyzing and synthesizing these texts, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding environmental stewardship and are better equipped to make informed decisions and advocate for meaningful change. The perspectives presented in these texts underscore the importance of caring for our common home not only for the present generation but also for future generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it important to analyze and synthesize these texts?
Analyzing and synthesizing texts from different sources helps in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the topic and allows the writer to present a well-informed perspective. It also demonstrates critical thinking skills and the ability to connect ideas from multiple sources.
What is the significance of the perspectives presented in the texts?
The perspectives presented in the texts are significant because they engage readers in a comprehensive discussion about the challenges and potential solutions related to caring for our common home. They provide insights into the urgency, moral and ethical dimensions, societal impact, and policy-oriented approaches to environmental care.
How does the essay emphasize the importance of caring for our common home for future generations?
The essay underscores the importance of caring for our common home not only for the present generation but also for future generations to come by addressing urgent environmental issues and proposing practical solutions that can have a lasting impact on the planet.
Can I choose sources outside of the provided list for the synthesis essay?
It is recommended to use sources from the provided list for the synthesis essay to ensure relevance to the course materials. However, if you believe an external source is highly relevant, you may seek approval from your instructor to include it.
