Question Types
Synthesis
Some general suggestions:
- The bulk of your 15 minutes of "reading time" should be spent on this essay, but try not to spend more than 10 minutes on the reading and pre-writing, leaving 5 minutes for the rhetorical analysis essay.
- You should read the sources (not simply skim them), but you don't need a deep understanding of them.
- Determine quickly the source's stance, potential bias, audience, evidence (how can you use the source in your argument?).
- While you must synthesize three of the sources into your essay, YOUR ARGUMENT must be the CENTRAL FOCUS (in other words, establish your point of view and use the sources for support; don't create an argument FROM the sources)
- You can also use your own knowledge and experiences to support your claims
- If you cite fewer than three sources, you will earn an automatic 1 in Row B of the rubric
- Synthesis prompts come in three main forms:
- Factor prompt--Develop a position on the most important factors that an institution or individual must consider before taking a certain action.
- Agree/disagree prompt--Develop a position on a certain topic.
- Evaluate prompt--Develop a position on the role something might play in the future.
- Factor prompt--Develop a position on the most important factors that an institution or individual must consider before taking a certain action.
- No matter the prompt, you will be expected to follow these guidelines:
- Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
- Select and use evidence from at least three of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses.
- Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
- Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
- The essay will be read by one trained reader who will use the 6-point rubric to score you in three categories: thesis (0-1 point), evidence and commentary (0-4 points), and sophistication (0-1 point).
- Some general suggestions:
- think of the synthesis essay as a conversation that is already happening and you're just joining; you need to listen to what others are saying before you get your chance to speak
- determine your position BEFORE you read the sources to ensure that your argument and your ideas remain the focus of the essay
- use the sources to address a counterargument as well as your own
- be consistent in your citations
- instead of simply dropping the citation in parenthesis at the end of a sentence, try to work your first reference to a source into the text of your writing to show your understanding of the rhetorical situation
- do not begin or end your paragraphs with a source
Some general suggestions:
- when reading, focus on the MME technique: determine the author's MESSAGE, the METHODS they use, and the EFFECTS those methods have that help the convey the message
- when writing, focus on the ICE technique: IDENTIFY the strategy/move the author uses, CITE an example of it from the text, and EXPLAIN how the author uses it to achieve a specific effect
- determine the main elements of the rhetorical situation and develop your understanding of those elements within your essay (who is the likely audience, what is the context, what inspired the author to write this?)
- remember that you are writing about someone else's writing; you are not to agree or disagree with their views
- Try not to take more than 5 minutes reading and analyzing the text and preparing your essay
- The rhetorical analysis prompts don't have much variety; you will be tasked with doing two main things: analyze the author's use of rhetoric and explain how those language devices contribute to the author's message.
- No matter the prompt, you will be expected follow these guidelines:
- Respond to the prompt with a thesis that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices.
- Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.
- Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
- Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
- The essay will be read by one trained reader who will use the 6-point rubric to score you in three categories (thesis (0-1 point), evidence and commentary (0-4 points), and sophistication (0-1 point).
- Do not spend more than 40 minutes on the writing of this essay, including the pre-writing.
- The prompts will vary greatly in both length and detail.
- You must develop a position on a given topic.
- Sometimes you will be asked to defend (agree with), challenge (disagree with), or qualify (limit your agreement/disagreement with exceptions) a presented belief or claim.
- Sometimes you will have to "argue the extent to which" something remains true.
- No matter the prompt, you will be expected to follow these guidelines:
- Respond to the prompt with a thesis that may establish a line of reasoning.
- Select and use evidence to develop and support your line of reasoning.
- Explain the relationship between the evidence and your thesis.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
- Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
- The essay will be read by one trained reader who will use the 6-point rubric to score you in three categories: thesis (0-1 point), evidence and commentary (0-4 points), and sophistication (0-1 point).
- Some general suggestions:
- create a T-chart to lay out at least two possible positions you might take on a topic
- in that T-chart, make a quick bulleted list of the reasons to defend or challenge a claim
- consider the evidence you might use to support those reasons
- decide which position you plan to take
- write your thesis, including your reasoning, in direct response to the prompt (but don't simply restate the prompt)
- use SPECIFIC and DETAILED evidence to support your reasoning, not generalized or vague ideas
- discuss and refute alternative perspectives (counterarguments)