Synthesis Essay English 300

Topic is Role of media in shaping the public opinion

Synthesis Essay English 300 The Synthesis essay that is due next week is one that takes two or more of the sources that will be used for the research paper and show that connection between/among them. These sources must show the relationship in regard to the research paper and how they will, specifically, further the position that will be shown in the research essay. The two sources will need to be cited and formatted as they will be presented in the final essay (i.e. APA, MLA, CSE, etc.) and be both cited on a Works Cited, Reference, Etc. page and also be cited in-text. This segment of the research paper should be a minimum of a page and a half but clearly show the relationship of the sources so if more length is needed, be sure to take it to fully explain the relationship. Make sure to show which formatting style is being implemented in the heading to the essay. What is a Synthesis Essay? The main purpose of a synthesis essay is to make insightful connections. Those connections can show the relationship(s) between parts of a work or even between two or more works. It is the job of the student to explain why those relationships are important. In order to write a successful synthesis essay, a student must gather research on a chosen topic (ideally found from the sources that were used for the annotated bibliography), discover meaningful connections throughout those sources, and develop a unique and interesting argument or perspective. A synthesis is not a summary. A synthesis is an opportunity to create new knowledge out of already existing knowledge, i.e., other sources. Sources are combined, and “synthesized,” so the information in the sources develops an argument or a unique perspective on a topic. The thesis statement becomes a one-sentence claim that presents the perspective and identifies the new knowledge that will be created. Grading for this assignment: 50% Handling the Material Presenting a clear relationship between the sources being evaluated Showing how each source will further the research paper Evaluating each source independent and dependent upon the other Clearly following the assignment criteria and fully completing the assignment 25% Correct Usage of Formatting Correct heading and page numbers and header information Correct in-text citing Correct reference page citing Making clear the chosen formatting style 25% Grammar and Usage Correct Spelling and Grammar (No comma splices, fragments, etc.)

(ideally found from the sources that were used for the annotated bibliography)

annotated bibliography sources

Baum M. A. & Potter P. B. K. (2008). The relationships between mass media, public opinion and

foreign policy: toward a theoretical synthesis. Annual Review of Political Science. Doi: 10.1146/annurev.polisci.11.060406.214132

Bergan D., Gerber A. & Karlan D. (2006). Effect of media on voting behavior and political

opinions in the United States. Virginia United States. Retrieved from https://www.povertyactionlab.org/evaluation/effect-media-voting-behavior-and-political-opinions-united-states

Bernasconi C., Di Palo M. & Bussiere K. (2014). The role of media and public opinion efforts in

the transit field: the Detroit region case study. Mineta National Transit Research Consortium. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwi1mtHD1o_QAhUnK8AKHcNJCcoQFgg7MAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fccrweb.ca%2Fpresentations%2Fshadeshianmediaen.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHcXD_oXjGQqeVVAzRAyQy1ZMg&sig2=bnnx-yRcL6FRWrag6TTfNw&bvm=bv.137904068,d.ZGg

Bosch S. & Pudifin S. (2012). Demographic and social factors influencing public opinion: an

exploratory study in Kwazulu-Natal province, South Africa. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/pelj.v15i4.1

Holiday R. (2012). What is media manipulation?—a definition and explanation. Forbes.

Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanholiday/2012/07/16/what-is-media-manipulation-a-definition-and-explanation/#224510db3fc6

Murphy J., Link M. W., Childs J. H., Tesfaye C. L., Dean E., Stern M., pasek J., Cohen J.,

Callegaro M. & Harwood P. (2014). Social Media in Public Opinion Research: Report of the AAPOR Task Force on Emerging Technologies in Public Opinion Research. American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).

Philo G. & Happer C. (2013). The role of the media in the construction of public belief and

social change. Journal of Social and Political Psychology. Glasgow University Media Group, University of Glasgow, Glasgow in United States. Retrieved from http://jspp.psychopen.eu/article/view/96/37

The Astana Times (2013). Social media: shaping the way we see the world or shaping the new

world itself? Editorials. Retrieved from http://astanatimes.com/2013/02/social-media-shaping-the-way-we-see-the-world-or-shaping-the-new-world-itself/