Synthesizing Sources:
Entering the Conversation, Chapter 3
Why does this skill even
matter

Well, you have been and will continue to synthesize
information for the rest of your life, and the more
refined your ability the persuasive (and generally
smarter) you will be.

Synthesis Video!
How You’ll Spend Your Time

15 minutes to read and annotate your prompt and sources


During that time you should

Decide your position on the issue

Decide which three (3) sources you want to use

Write a very rough thesis

Annotate your text and find your quotes
40 minutes to plan and draft your essay

During that time you should

Plan your ARGUMENTATIVE essay using six part oration or 5
paragraph essay (regardless of which model you use you MUST plan a
refutation

Write your essay incorporating QUOTES from three (3) of your sources
to back up your thinking OR to argue against the sources thinking
Reading and Planning

As you read, place check marks by pieces of evidence
(quotes from the texts) that you could to support your
opinion

Place minuses by pieces of evidence (quotes from the
texts) that you could use in your refutation (to argue
against and disprove)

Skim read all of the sources (you only have 15 minutes)

Then choose three sources (hopefully not A, B, C) and
look at those sources in greater detail
You Are in Control
"Words — so innocent and powerless as
they are, as standing in a dictionary, how
potent for good and evil they become in
the hands of one who knows how to
combine them.”
— Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864).
An Informed Opinion

Research into sources lets you
enter the conversation that
society is having about your
topic.

By creating a new essay you are
(whether you realize it or not
entering that worldly
conversation) so you want to
appear informed

An informed opinion considers
multiple perspectives and
possibilities.
Types of Support

You should use many types of
information to support your
argument. (Both from the packet
and from your worldly reading)

Details and examples.

You MUST use three of your
provided sources

You should also bring in
evidence from your own brain
(just like with argument
Types of Support

Anecdote: a brief story illustrating a point

Facts: information that is verifiable through general
sources

Quantitative Data: statistical information. You
should cite your sources

Expert Testimony: quote an expert by summarizing
or paraphrasing their words

All of these types of support may be found in your
sources or in your own brain AS LONG AS YOU
incorporate three of your written sources
Citing and Documenting

Using anecdotes, facts, statistics and experts is one
way to appeal to logos.

Documenting and citing your sources establishes
your ethos.

You must cite your sources.
The rising cost of homes will “soon make
homeownership an impossibility” for many working
families. (Source A)
Sources

Should enhance not replace your
argument;

Should inform, support, illustrate your ideas;

Demonstrate your understanding of world view

Illustrate your understanding of at least one opposing
viewpoint (refutation)
Your Position
 Is
central
 Your
sources are your
wingmen
The Synthesis Essay

Your goal is use sources to
support and illustrate your
own ideas;

And to establish your
credibility as a member of the
academic community.
A Reasoned Voice

To engage your audience, present your position as
reasonable and valuable;

In a voice that is reasoned, sincere, informed;

And all of the rhetorical devices at your disposal

Using classic appeals to ethos, logos and pathos.
A Written Argument

READERS ARE STUBBORN!

Is not likely to change the view of the reader,
radically or immediately….

That’s why it’s important to give them food-forthought in your conclusion OR a call-to-action in
your conclusion
A Compelling Argument

Will leave the reader thinking, questioning,
considering, reconsidering.
Formulating Your Position

Take stock of the issues. What questions come up in
reading the sources?

With questions in mind, begin formulating your
thesis statement.

Your thesis statement (claim) captures your position
on the topic.
Incorporating Sources

Don’t simply summarize or paraphrase a
series of texts.

Cite sources by paraphrasing or quoting
directly in the service of your own
argument.

Give credit where credit is due. If it’s
someone else’s idea, cite it.

Rely on your excellent brain! YOU ARE
VERY SMART AND CAN DO THIS!!! <3
Work Cited
Shea, Renee, Lawrence Scanlon, and Robin Aufses. The
Language of Composition. 1st ed. NY: Bedford/St.
Martin’s, 2008. 61-85. Print.