2. What is a Synthesis? A synthesis is a written discussion that draws on two or more sources. It depends upon your ability to infer relationships among sources.
4. How do we commit [sin]thesis? First, we summarize our sources. Second, we make judgments of our sources based on a critical reading. Third, we reach conclusions based on the quality and validity of these sources and whether we agree or disagree. And finally, now that we have more than one source, we need to determine relationships among our sources
5. It all depends on your purpose… Locate sources relevant to your topic Select only those parts that will fulfill your purpose Relate selected parts to each other How you make use of each source depends on your purpose Thus, you need to understand fully your purpose before pursuing a research project
6. Where do we find written syntheses? Analysis papers Research papers Argument papers Essay exams Newspaper and magazine articles Position papers Business plans Memos and letters Websites
7. Note how the purpose in the following writing assignments differ: Evaluate the author’s treatment of the Civil War Determine if the civil war was fought for moral or economic reasons Compare and contrast the technology of warfare used during the civil war with what was used a century earlier Discuss the use of photography during the Civil War
8. Using your sources effectively If students used the same sources for the civil war assignments, they would most likely synthesis unique parts of the sources because their purpose is not the same.
9. Two Types of Synthesis Explanatory ---objective is to offer information Argument ---objective is to persuade or convey opinion or interpretation
13. Elements of an Argument Claim- a proposition or conclusion that you are trying to prove Support – comes in the form of fact or expert opinion Assumption-an underlying belief or principal about some aspect of the world and how it operates Your assumption links your supporting evidence to your claim Assumptions tend to be general and unstated
14. Write a claim, support and assumptions for the both sides of the argument regarding CMC: CMC-Computer-mediated communication (p60-61)
15. Exercise 3.1 Practicing Claim, Support and Assumption Present to the class a claim with support and assumptions for an argument that you are passionate about. Also, present to the class an opposite claim on the same topic include support and assumptions for the claim Hint: Go online to find the information or use essays in our text. Results: You will present your results to the class in the form of a comment posted to this blog entry.
16. Your Assignment You will find the guidelines for writing a synthesis on pages 58-59. You can select one of the Synthesis Activities in your text or you may design a project of your choosing as long as it involves synthesis. 800- 1000 words Two outside sources
