Exercises — Week 19: Week 19 — The Synthesis Essay
2 hands-on tasks. Do them in order; each one feeds the Canvas item it names.
30 min · analysis
1. Annotation Practice
- Find three short articles or editorials on the same topic from different perspectives.
- For each, write: (1) one sentence naming the source's main claim; (2) one sentence identifying its strongest piece of evidence; (3) one sentence stating how you would use this source in a synthesis argument.
- Note whether any two sources directly contradict each other — this contradiction is often the most productive material.
Turn in / bring: Three annotation sets, each with three sentences, plus a note on any contradiction.
35 min · written
2. Synthesis Paragraph Draft
- Using the three annotated sources, write one body paragraph for a synthesis essay.
- Begin with a topic sentence making an original claim — not a summary of any source.
- Integrate evidence from at least two of the three sources, with attribution and explanation for each.
- End with a sentence showing how the combined evidence supports the original claim.
Turn in / bring: One complete synthesis body paragraph with labeled attributions.