Dystopian Worlds: Synthesis Essay
We have explored dystopian worlds in various forms: novels, movies, short stories, and poetry. To conclude our unit, you will
be writing a synthesis essay, which requires you to combine information from a variety of sources to inform your own
discussion of dystopian worlds.
A synthesis essay should:
(1) Accurately describe/analyze information from at least three of our dystopian sources.
(2) Be organized in such a way that readers can immediately see where the information from the sources overlap.
(3) Make sense of the sources and helps the reader understand them in greater depth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are TWO ways you could choose to write this essay:
1. Synthesize the dystopian protagonists
-For this essay, you will focus on the characteristics of dystopian protagonists; each body paragraph will be focused
on ONE of the stories, explaining how its protagonist demonstrates the characteristics of a dystopian protagonist. If
you write this essay, you will be focusing on ONE story in each body paragraph.
2. Synthesize the dystopian societies
-If you choose to go this route, you will choose THREE of the characteristics of dystopian societies (the columns on
the chart); each body paragraph will focus on ONE of the three characteristics you have chosen, and give examples
from each of the stories that demonstrate how the characteristic was apparent in each story. If you write this essay,
you will be talking about ALL THREE stories in each body paragraph!
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YOU WILL TURN IN: (Due dates to be discussed next week!)
-Dystopian Worlds element chart
Due: _____________
-An essay planning sheet/outline
Due: _____________
-Rough drafts of each paragraph
Due: _____________
-5 Paragraph Essay
Due: _____________
-Works Cited
Due: _____________
YOU WILL BE GRADED WITH A FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING:
1. FIVE FOCUSED PARAGRAPHS
 Introduction with a strong thesis statement, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.
2. THESIS STATEMENT
 A focused thesis statement must be appropriately positioned and then supported!
3. EMBEDDED QUOTES
 At least 3 embedded quotes must be used from Anthem and your choice novel.
 MUST USE MLA PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS example: (Rand 20).
 Use quotes to provide textual evidence to support your points!
4. MLA FORMATTING –Typed, double spaced, size 12 font, 1 inch margins, and correct heading.
5. M.U.G.S.—Sentence Mechanics, Word Usage, Grammar, and Spelling
We will review essay writing essentials to keep in mind while writing, including the importance of:
 Organizing body paragraphs appropriately
 Using transitional words and phrases
 Proofreading
 Using the BHS Writing Guidebook