ANTHEM
SYNTHESIS TIMED WRITE
DAY 1 - RESEARCH
Theme / Thesis
The theme of a literary work is an abstract noun (idea)
The thesis is the central argument (what about the idea?)
Theme Research
Use the “Anthem Cheat Sheet” and choose a theme you
would like to learn more about. If you have an idea and it isn’t on
the list, see me before you start researching!
By the end of class today, you must:
Make a MS Word document to keep track of your notes. On this
document, include the abstract noun “idea” you are researching,
and define that and any other words you do not know.
Find 4-6 relevant, credible sources and PRINT THEM.
Staple together your MS Word document and your 4-6 sources.
DAY 2 – READ AND
ANALYZE INFORMATION
Read and Analyze Sources
 During Class Today:
 Read the 4-6 credible, relevant sources that you printed yesterday. Mark the text (annotate) for important ideas
and passages, to use as quotes in your synthesis timed write tomorrow.
 Find 3-5 quotes from Anthem that seem to support or connect with information you found in your research.
Write these down.
 Study Tip: Keep a page of notes as you work today. Add on to the Word document from
yesterday, or make a new notes page.
 At the top of your notes page, write your abstract noun “idea” (remember this is the theme).
 By the end of the class period, write a thesis statement (an argument about the theme) that you can use in your
synthesis timed write tomorrow.
 Resources:
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Research from yesterday
“Anthem Cheat Sheet”
Synthesis assignment from two weeks ago – 3 articles + synthesis paragraph
Anthem by Ayn Rand
…?
DAY 3 – TIMED WRITE
Synthesis Timed Write
 During Class Today:
 Make a pre-write of some sort (outline, bubble cluster, etc.) to organize your ideas.
Identify your abstract noun “idea” and write your thesis statement (what about that idea?).
What will be the topic of each of your body paragraphs?
 Write a 4-5 paragraph synthesis essay. Use the following structure:
 Intro paragraph with a thesis statement.
 2-3 body paragraphs, each with a topic sentence, 2-3 quotes + analysis, and a concluding
sentence.
 Conclusion paragraph that restates your thesis and extends your idea.
 Resources:
 All research documents you have created
 All notes pages you have created
 Anthem
Submit Timed Write
In one stack: pre-write + timed write
In a different stack: all research documents + notes page(s)