three pges, put the two pges article into 5 pgs. add two primary sources

Research Synthesis Essay Workshop 1: 3/16

2500-3000 words Paper Due 1: 3/18

Workshop 2: 4/20

Paper Due 2: 4/22

The synthesis essay brings together the research you’ve been conducting throughout the semester in order to

advocate for change or for a solution you’ve developed to a problem you’ve explored, by writing an analysis

supported by evidence. Throughout this semester you’ve been developing research questions and exploring your

questions through research; in the synthesis paper you'll be creating a conversation (or synthesizing information!)

from a variety of primary and secondary sources. You have the opportunity to support an extensive argument

drawing on evidence you’ve already collected throughout the semester and additional sources you’ll be gathering

for this assignment. This assignment will include revising your work and writing a reflection on the revision

process before submitting it after a second peer review workshop.

If you are working with a group, your group may have a broad question or theme that allows each member of the

group to write an individual paper on a different aspect of the larger topic. (You might think in terms of a

“Wicked Problem,” as discussed in class.) Continuing with a topic related to your previous research will mean

that you’re starting with a collection of evidence and sources that you’ve already gathered. In writing about your

topic, you should develop a question that allows you to make connections between local concerns and larger

social issues, using both primary and secondary sources.

This will involve much more than combining your previous papers into one paper or adding on to your primary

source paper. Look at your previous papers (that relate to your synthesis essay topic) and consider what

questions remain unresolved and what claims need additional evidence. Consider also the feedback you’ve

received in peer review and instructor feedback: What were your readers’ additional questions about your topic?

What did they suggest for strengthening your arguments? These questions can suggest directions for your new

research and help you craft your research question. Your thesis statement should be a claim that begins to answer

your research question (usually a how or why question) based on patterns you found through your analysis.

Goals/Grading Criteria:

 Explore a research question related to a topic about which you want to advocate, that includes both local

and larger contexts of the issue

 Approximately 10 pages in length (minimum 2500 words, max 3000 not counting Works Cited page).

Typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins, page numbers, and your name on each page.

 Introduction with arguable thesis statement

 Paper develops the thesis in every paragraph using effective support for claims

 Clear exigence

 Effective organization to convey argument and show relationship among paragraphs

 Appropriate source selection (using both primary and secondary sources, including scholarly sources) put

in conversation convincingly to develop your argument

 Correct, consistent citation of sources (MLA style)

 Appropriate academic style and tone, including correct grammar and spelling (use active verbs!)