Synthesis Essay Instructions

do not use AI

This semester we will be discussing texts and articles with similar themes that both relate to the controversial issue of keeping or removing Confederate statues. For this essay, you will synthesize information provided in one of two associated articles ("Confederate Statues Were Never Really About Preserving History" or "Opinion: Don't Take Down Confederate Monuments. Here's Why.")

Writing Prompt

Are Confederate statues a symbol of racism that should be removed from public grounds, or should Confederate Statues be left as a reminder not to repeat our nation's painful history?

In a synthesis, you present your own argument that you then support with sound reasoning and with evidence drawn from your sources. When referencing your sources, you must explain how the evidence supports your argument.

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Introduction

1. Begin with a hook.

2. Connect your hook to your chosen article and novel or vice versa. Discuss as necessary.

3. Turn from article toward your thesis.

4. State your thesis presenting three arguments you will support with connections from both authors.

Three body paragraphs (minimum)

1. Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that reflects one argument you present in the thesis.

2. Support your position with logical reasoning and explanation.

3. Present and discuss at least one piece of evidence from each author as support for your position.

Suggested body paragraph format:

1. Describe the point the author is making in the article.
2. Include the article quote
3. Explain what the quote means
4. Include the passage from the text (To support or refute this claim, Hawes writes...")
5. Spend 1-2 sentences explaining how the author's quote supports or refutes what Hawes writes

Example:

Bess claims that Confederate statues have a dark symbolic meaning. Bess writes, "[Confederate statues] were installed as symbols of white supremacy during periods of U.S. history when Black Americans' civil rights were aggressively under attack" ("Confederate Statues"). Bess essentially asserts that Confederate statues were not intended to preserve history, but rather to oppress African Americans. Hawes describes the statue of former Vice President John. C. Calhoun, a slave owner, as appearing to "scowl at the survivors as they trudged past below" (37) when they left the church directly following the massacre. When considering the fact Confederate statues were intended to be a painful reminder of white supremacy, it is shocking and infuriating that the victims of the massacre had to be subjected to walking underneath a symbol of white supremacy.

Conclusion

1. Do not restate your thesis verbatim.

2. Tie together the connections you discussed.

3. Look to the future in relation to the Charleston Massacre influencing the removal of Confederate Statues

Things to Avoid:

• Do not use contractions.
• Do not use first person pronouns such as "I" "me" "my."
• Do not use second person pronouns such as "you" "your" "yours."
• Do not engage in personal stories (stories of your own life experiences, or the experiences of friends, family, and so on)
• Do not begin sentences with conjunctions: but, and, or, nor, for, so, yet.
• Do not pose any questions to your reader. This means, quite literally, not to use questions. Make statements instead.
• Avoid any form of direct address to the reader, such as "think about the fact that . . ."
• Avoid too casual of a prose style, such as sentences that begin with words like "well, sure, now, yes, no."

Rubric for Synthesis Essay:

Criteria:	Arrived	Almost There	Getting There	In Progress	Not Yet
mla	25 Formatted according to the Guide including page set-up, in-text citations, and works cited page.	13 Mostly formatted according to the Guide.	11 Attempts formatting according to the Guide.	9 Incorrect format; missing required components of MLA.	0 Messy, illegible, does not attempt the proper format, does not include required elements of the essay.
Grammar, Mechanics, Usage	30 Few, if any errors (0-1) in grammar, mechanics, and/or punctuation.	16 No more than 2 major errors and less than 5 minor errors.	12 3 major errors or 5 minor errors.	8 3 major errors or 5 minor errors.	0 Numerous major and minor errors that make the assignment illegible.
Introduction	30 Includes a lead paragraph that captures the reader's attention and introduces the general topic. In the last sentence, the thesis is stated clearly.	16 Mostly does the following: Includes a lead paragraph that captures the reader's attention and introduces the general topic. In the last sentence, the thesis is stated clearly.	12 Adequately does the following: Includes a lead paragraph that captures the reader's attention and introduces the general topic. In the last sentence, the thesis is stated clearly.	8 Lead paragraph may not capture reader's attention. thesis may not be clearly stated or may be too general.	0 The intro paragraph is missing.
Body	85 Three body paragraphs are included. Each begins with a topic sentence and provides examples and analysis of examples to support the topic sentence. The last sentence wraps up and transitions to next paragraph.	60 Mostly does the following: Three body paragraphs are included. Each begins with a topic sentence and provides examples to support the topic sentence. The last sentence wraps up and transitions to next paragraph.	45 Attempts the following: Three body paragraphs are included. Each begins with a topic sentence and provides examples to support the topic sentence. The last sentence wraps up and transitions to next paragraph. There may not be enough specific evidence. Transition sentence or topic sentence may be missing.	30 A body or two paragraph may be missing. Not enough evidence may be presented.	0 Body paragraphs with topic sentence, supporting evidence, and concluding sentences are missing
Conclusion	30 Reiterates main points and gives the reader something further to ponder.	16 Mostly does the following: Reiterates main points and gives the reader something further to ponder.	12 Attempts the following: Reiterates main points and gives the reader something further to ponder.	8 The following may be missing: Reiterates main points and gives the reader something further to ponder.	0 Concluding paragraph is missing.