Synthesis Practice
Length: Four paragraphs (2-3 sentences per paragraph)
Due: Monday, Feb. 27 (on Canvas by 11:59 PM).
Points: 50
Below you will find two sets of quotations. In a separate word document, write four different short paragraphs in which you compare or contrast two or more of the views expressed in a particular set. This assignment is worth 50 points, so make sure your answers are both accurate and clear. Remember to include page numbers in proper MLA format.
FIRST SET: Does ecotourism benefit countries where it exists?
1. Ellen Bradley, tour leader in Cancun, Mexico (“Ecotourism Now,” page 10)
Ecotourism provides jobs for many Mexicans and raises their standard of living.
2. Juan Sanchez, agriculture minister of Mexico (Surviving Tourism, page 15)
Small farmers are losing their land and livelihood to ecotourism. To survive, they must join the service economy.
3. Rachel Collins, county commissioner in Shasta County, California (“Logs to Lodges,” page 83)
Because the timber industry is in decline, people in Shasta County are turning to ecotourism as an alternative way to make a living.
4. Jamey Leeds, staff writer (“Greener Travels.” Page A5)
Travel agencies such as Tour Now and Green Tours are funding reforestation projects in areas potentially attractive to tourists.
5. Manuela Rico, biologist in Belize (“Betting on the Beauty of Belize,” page 23)
The increased number of cruise ships stopping in Belize is endangering fauna, flora, and Belize’s reputation as an ecological paradise.
SECOND SET: Does anonymity on the web give people too much license to harass others?
1. Diane Lee, law professor ("Free and Distasteful Speech," page 10)
Freedom of expression is protected under the First Amendment, so anonymous trolls may use words and images to provoke others, even when these words and images are distasteful. Determining what is provocative and what is harassment is a matter of interpretation.
2. Jason Howard, college counselor ("The Right to Be Sued," page 127)
When comments are interpreted as defaming someone or intentionally inflicting emotional distress, the people who made them can be sued. Websites where comments have been posted can revoke the privilege of anonymity.
3. Ed Parsons, journalist forthe magazine Yes ("Mixing Up the Problem," page 21)
Anonymity and incivility must be separated. If we protect anonymity but discourage incivility, we would promote democratic discourse while avoiding the loss of free speech.
4. Julia Leonard, activist ("Protecting a Vulnerable Population," page B1)
Some anonymous interactions are justified, especially those on sensitive issues. Others target vulnerable populations. There should be a way to protect those who are not doing harm while punishing those who are.
5. Maria Lopez, web designer for Beeline Industries ("Have a Voice," page 82)
Making people identify themselves will not necessarily improve their online civility. It could, however, allow predators to fi ...
Synthesis PracticeLength Four paragraphs (2-3 sentences per par.docx
1. Synthesis Practice
Length: Four paragraphs (2-3 sentences per paragraph)
Due: Monday, Feb. 27 (on Canvas by 11:59 PM).
Points: 50
Below you will find two sets of quotations. In a separate word
document, write four different short paragraphs in which you
compare or contrast two or more of the views expressed in a
particular set. This assignment is worth 50 points, so make sure
your answers are both accurate and clear. Remember to include
page numbers in proper MLA format.
FIRST SET: Does ecotourism benefit countries where it exists?
1. Ellen Bradley, tour leader in Cancun, Mexico (“Ecotourism
Now,” page 10)
Ecotourism provides jobs for many Mexicans and raises their
standard of living.
2. Juan Sanchez, agriculture minister of Mexico (Surviving
Tourism, page 15)
Small farmers are losing their land and livelihood to
ecotourism. To survive, they must join the service economy.
3. Rachel Collins, county commissioner in Shasta County,
California (“Logs to Lodges,” page 83)
Because the timber industry is in decline, people in Shasta
County are turning to ecotourism as an alternative way to make
a living.
4. Jamey Leeds, staff writer (“Greener Travels.” Page A5)
2. Travel agencies such as Tour Now and Green Tours are funding
reforestation projects in areas potentially attractive to tourists.
5. Manuela Rico, biologist in Belize (“Betting on the Beauty of
Belize,” page 23)
The increased number of cruise ships stopping in Belize is
endangering fauna, flora, and Belize’s reputation as an
ecological paradise.
SECOND SET: Does anonymity on the web give people too
much license to harass others?
1. Diane Lee, law professor ("Free and Distasteful Speech,"
page 10)
Freedom of expression is protected under the First Amendment,
so anonymous trolls may use words and images to provoke
others, even when these words and images are distasteful.
Determining what is provocative and what is harassment is a
matter of interpretation.
2. Jason Howard, college counselor ("The Right to Be Sued,"
page 127)
When comments are interpreted as defaming someone or
intentionally inflicting emotional distress, the people who made
them can be sued. Websites where comments have been posted
can revoke the privilege of anonymity.
3. Ed Parsons, journalist forthe magazine Yes ("Mixing Up the
Problem," page 21)
Anonymity and incivility must be separated. If we protect
anonymity but discourage incivility, we would promote
democratic discourse while avoiding the loss of free speech.
3. 4. Julia Leonard, activist ("Protecting a Vulnerable Population,"
page B1)
Some anonymous interactions are justified, especially those on
sensitive issues. Others target vulnerable populations. There
should be a way to protect those who are not doing harm while
punishing those who are.
5. Maria Lopez, web designer for Beeline Industries ("Have a
Voice," page 82)
Making people identify themselves will not necessarily improve
their online civility. It could, however, allow predators to find
their prey offline.
Formulaic Expressions for Synthesizing
Here are some examples of formulaic expressions you can use
when synthesizing sources:
· The claim that ______ is supported by the observations of
AUTHOR 1 and AUTHOR 2. AUTHOR 1 insists that ______.
Likewise, AUTHOR 2 believes that ______.
· AUTHOR 1 and AUTHOR 2 give examples of _____.
AUTHOR 1 asserts that ______. AUTHOR 2 supports this
position by _________.
· Although AUTHOR 1 believes that _____, this interpretation
is not held universally; for example, AUTHOR 2 notes that
_____.
· AUTHOR 1 asserts that _____; however, he fails to explain
___. AUTHOR 2 points out that ____.
