Synthesis Analysis Essay

ENGL 1301

Miles

 

 

Essay 2: Synthesis and Analysis

 

DUE DATES: 4/8/13 (first draft), 4/15/13

 

Format:

Like all essays in this class, this paper should use 12-point times new roman font and default page margins.  It should be double-spaced.

 

Required length: 3-4 pages.

 

You are to write a synthesis and analysis essay that meets the following criteria:

 

  • Addresses the focusing question provided by your instructor
  • Summarizes and analyzes the views of two writers on the question
  • Shows how you have wrestled with different perspectives on the question and have synthesized these ideas to arrive at your own new view of the question

 

 

Focusing Question: What social attitude should we take toward smoking?

 

Readings: “I’d Rather Smoke than Kiss” by Florence King (pages 144-149), “A Silence That Kills” by Lyndon Haviland (pages 150-153)

 

Structure:

 

  • Introductory paragraph/section that presents the focusing question and hooks the reader
  • A thesis that maps out your main analytical points and your main synthesis points
  • Summary/analysis of the first text
  • Summary/analysis of the second text
  • Synthesis section that develops your main synthesis points
  • Concluding paragraph that reiterates the values and limitations of the texts you have analyzed pulls together your new insights and leaves readers thinking about your views.

 

DRAFTS/REVISIONS:

 

As the goal of the course is to explore writing as a process, you will be required to show the steps that you take in developing your final product.  The primary components of the assignment will be:

 

-First Draft:  This is a complete, finished paper that will be evaluated by your classmates (in-class peer review) and by your instructor.  This draft will be turned in, and it will be returned to you with suggestions on how to revise.

 

-Final Draft: This is the finished product.  You may choose to revise your final draft if

if you are still unhappy with your paper (see “revision policy” in syllabus), but this will

be the completion of your assignment and will receive the grade.

 

You may also submit any other materials such as outlines and brainstorming as part of your writing process.

 

Papers must adhere to MLA formatting guidelines.  For more information on documenting sources using this format, see chapter 3 of the Bedford Reader and chapter 23 of the McGraw-Hill Handbook.

 

Intellectual Honesty:

All work you submit must be your own. If you consult any sources, whether oral or written, copyrighted or not, you must clearly distinguish between your words and ideas (or line of thought) and theirs at all times.

 

Grading:

 

Fairness/Accuracy of the summary and analysis 30%

 

Synthesis of the texts 30%

 

Command of Rhetorical strategies in the texts 20%

 

Overall organization/structure (Is the thesis an accurate forecast for the rest of the essay?  Is the essay true to this forecast?) 20%