Katherine Scully

Synthesis Essay Notes

Figuring out your plan for the essay:

1. Read the prompt

2. Change prompt into question
3. Brainstorm important factors
a. $SEEIT
i. Money
ii. Safety
iii. Ethics
iv. Environment
v. International
vi. Technology
vii. Time
4. Create sample thesis
5. Go through sources and annotate:
a. TAPAS
i. Type of source
ii. Audience
iii. Purpose
iv. Argument- make sure to write on every source
v. Source bias
b. Put positive or negative about how this is going to affect your argument
6. Revise thesis

Essay Format
Intro:
- Contexualization/outside knowledge
- Thesis
Body Paragraphs:
- Subclaim
- Evidence #1
- Commentary
- Evidence #2
- Commentary
Conclusion:
- Phrase thesis in different way
- Connect ideas to a bigger theme or concept