Synthesis Prewriting Graphic Organizer

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Approach #1

Synthesis: Planning The Process

The synthesis essay asks that you read a number of sources and comment on them in an original way. The best way to approach this complicated assignment is to plan.

Step #1 Read the introduction and prompt:

What do you know about this topic? What do you think about this topic? How do you YOU feel about this topic?

Explore your thoughts here:

Step #2 Comparing the Sources and Your Thoughts on the Topic

	Source 1	Source 2	Source 3
Bibliographic Info
Key Arguments
Evidence
Qualifications
Your Feelings
Why this subject is important
Larger themes or questions that arise in you after reading

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Approach #2

Synthesis Essay: Pre-Writing The Process

Your Task: Use this handout to organize and plan your synthesis essay. This is meant to be a planning activity, so all of your decisions do not need to be final.

Step 1: Identify your thoughts on the prompt. Be as specific as possible.	Your Own Ideas:
Step 2: Based upon your knowledge of your texts, try to articulate exactly how your above ideas or element is addressed within each text. What does each text say about your idea? Be specific!	Source 1:
	Source 2:
	Source 3:
	Source 4:
Step 3: Using your answers above, write a thesis statement that captures the essence of what your essay will set out to prove about your ideas using the sources. Hint: Your thesis guides the argument for the entire essay. Write thesis statements that clearly state a defensible position on the subject. Be specific!	Thesis:
Step 4: Now, articulate the three major supporting details or points you will use to prove your thesis. Remember, each point needs to connect to at least one source but two is better to create a conversation. So, if there is nothing in one of the texts to support or extend your point, then come up with a different supporting detail.	Point 1:
	Point 2:
	Point 3:

Step 5: Use this table to record potentially useful quotes or examples from your selected sources. Organize them according to each major, supporting point from Step 4. Before incorporating them into your essay, make absolutely certain that all quotes are accurate (PROOFREAD!)
Source 1:	Source 2:	Source 3:
Point #1:	Quote 1:	Quote 1:	Quote #1:
	Quote 2:	Quote 2:	Quote #2:

Source 1:	Source 2:	Source 3:
Point #2:	Quote 1:	Quote 1:	Quote #1:
	Quote 2:	Quote 2:	Quote #2:

Source 1:	Source 2:	Source 3:
Point 3:	Quote 1:	Quote 1:	Quote #1:
	Quote 2:	Quote 2:	Quote #2:

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Approach #3

Synthesis Prewriting Graphic Organizer #1

Sources	A	B	C	D	E	F
Introduction Material
Thesis
Best Supporting Detail
Points You Agree with
Points You Disagree with
Will you use this source ?

Conversation Among Sources = Synthesis

1. What sources are similar in their positions? How so? List the sources and explain how the sources work together.

2. What sources disagree with each other? How so? List the sources and explain how the sources differ.

3. Write your thesis here. Which sources will you use to support you?

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Alternative Graphic Organizer#2: Source Ideas and Text Evidence

Title and Author of Text	Source A	Source B
Big Idea: What is the message that the author is trying to create about real life?
Text evidence to support author's message #1
Text evidence to support author's message #2
Text Evidence to support author's message #3

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Alternative Graphic Organizer #3: Source Ideas Summarized

Source (In citation format)	Main Idea 1.	Main idea 2	Main idea 3

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Alternative Graphic Organizer #4: Your Ideas Supported By Sources

Your Thesis:	Source A Agrees/Disagrees? Quote to Prove?	Source B Agrees/Disagrees? Quote to Prove?	Source C Agrees/Disagrees? Quote to Prove?	Source D Agrees/Disagrees? Quote to Prove?
Your Supporting Idea #1
Your Supporting Idea #2
Your Supporting Idea #3

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Synthesis Outline

I. Introduction

A. Use of an engaging opening strategy

B. Discussion of the prompt IN YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!

C. WHY this is an important idea/concern/issue to discuss

D. THESIS – Clear and To the Point

II. Body Paragraphs

A. SUPPORT POINT #1 - Use of ICED Strategy

1. ORIGINAL Topic Sentence (I)

2. Introductory phrase + Source that supports your idea (C)

3. Explanation/example from history, pop culture, personal experience, etc (E)

4. Connection back to thesis/prompt – BE SPECIFIC (D)

B. SUPPORT POINT #2 - Use of ICED Strategy

5. ORIGINAL Topic Sentence (I)

6. Introductory phrase + Source that supports your idea – different from the previous paragraph (C)

7. Explanation/example from history, pop culture, personal experience, etc (E)

8. Connection back to thesis/prompt – BE SPECIFIC BUT DO NOT REPEAT YOUR THESIS VERBATIM (D)

C. SUPPORT POINT #3 - Use of ICED Strategy

9. ORIGINAL Topic Sentence (I)

10. Introductory phrase + Source that supports your idea (C)

11. Explanation/example from history, pop culture, personal experience, etc (E)

12. Connection back to thesis/prompt – BE SPECIFIC (D)

D. Rebuttal/Counterpoint SUPPORT POINT #4 - Use of ICED Strategy

13. ORIGINAL Topic Sentence with transitions “Some people feel or it can be argued”….HOWEVER (I)

14. Source that supports your idea (C)

15. Explanation/example from history, pop culture, personal experience, etc (E)

16. Connection back to thesis/prompt – BE SPECIFIC (D)

III. Conclusion

A. Reference back to your engaging opening strategy

B. WHY this is an important idea/concern/issue to discuss

C. Your final thoughts about the prompt with a clincher/zinger statement