ENGL 1301 – Comp and Rhetoric 1
R. Wilshire
Essay #3 – Explanatory Synthesis;
Essay #4 – Research Paper (Position Paper/Argument Synthesis)
Writing Synthesis Essays
What is a “synthesis”? Based upon the readings we have discussed in class, a synthesis is the ability to write an essay drawing upon at least two sources, making “explicit the relationships that you have inferred among separate sources” (Behrens 91). An explanatory synthesis is different from an “argument synthesis,” in that the focus of the latter is persuasive, while that of the former is explanatory and evaluative. While these sources could potentially come from a variety of venues, we will, for Essay 3, in order to maintain a certain level of academic seriousness and integrity, choose two (2) or more essays from Read, Reason, Write, specifically from chapters 6, 7, 9, 10, or Section 5 (chapters 15-23); you may also choose essays from the corresponding reading collections in Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (Part II, chapters 7-11 or 13), many essays of which are available on the Internet. (For instance, one of our essays for today is available at http://essays24.com/English/Debate-On-Gay-Marriage/54870.html). I would encourage you to peruse titles of both works’ collections, as an essay title might pique your interest and help you to arrive at a topic for this essay—again, I encourage you to find essays that you feel are engaging, informative, and well-written. Part of your goal for this essay is to elicit the interest of the reader in terms of the desire to read one (or both) of the articles you are synthesizing and explaining. For this reason, we will build upon Essays 1 and 2 in requiring incorporation of at least one term from the logic terms list of Essay 1, and at least one term from the figurative language terms of Essay 2. Thus, there will need to be some element of argument analysis, as well as analysis of essay style. Additionally, you may use any essays I have handed out in class so far.
Essay #3 – Explanatory Synthesis
Again, using the guidelines and rhetorical principles described in chapter 1 of RRW, and especially pages 5-7, write a minimum 750-word explanatory synthesis of two of the essays, as explained above.
Ø Similar to essays 1 and 2, address the following questions: What are the major arguments in each essay, and how are they related (compare and contrast them)? Discuss/enumerate and analyze these, and try to limit to three or fewer. You are analyzing rhetorically at this point, though the focus should be on a comparison and contrast.
Ø I will also be looking for analysis of argument as well as style (explicit use and discussion of at least one term from each of our lists for Essays 1 and 2).
Ø In addition to any chapters as outlined above, you may utilize essays I have distributed in class so far, specifically the following:
1) Michele Morano’s essay, “Grammar Lessons: The Subjunctive Mood”
2) Robert Polito’s essay, “Shame”
3) Howard Gardner’s essay, “The End of Literacy? Don’t Stop Reading”
4) Azar Nafisi’s essay, “Words of War”
5) Bertrand Russell’s essay, “The Ethical Responsibility of Scientists”
6) Wendell Berry’s essays, “A Practical Harmony,” “Style and Grace”
7) Chapter 22, “Positioning the Catholic Church,” from Positioning: The Battle For Your Mind, by Al Ries and Jack Trout
8) The “Debate on Gay Marriage” essays (WRAC) by Andrew Sullivan and William J. Bennett
9) Alan S. Binder’s essay, “Will Your Job Be Exported?” (you may also use “Political Stupidity, U.S. Style,” by E.J. Dionne, Jr., in chapter 4 of RRW, pp. 110-12)
Requirements for our third essay (any part of the following requirements that are not completed will most likely result in an unacceptable essay; for any emergencies/extenuating circumstances, be sure to contact me as soon as possible):
Ø An approved thesis statement, typed, and first third of essay (due July 31; final approval will be required by this date via email if necessary).
Ø We will do a Peer Edit on August 1 (two typed copies of your essay will be required on this date).
Ø Utilize at least six (6) fairly short (1-2 sentences maximum in general) direct quotations from each source, in proper MLA format for parenthetical references (thus, at least 12 quotations total are required; use your Wadsworth handbook to assist you with format.) Supporting evidence of summary, paraphrase, and direct quotes should be utilized to assist in maintaining the “feel” of each essay as much as possible.
Ø A works-cited page is required, in MLA format, with at least two sources (I encourage use of www.easybib.com for this).
Ø The final draft will be due on Thursday, August 2, both a hard copy and through www.turnitin.com (by 11:59pm for turnitin.com), though you are welcome to turn it in via email anytime from August 1 on, provided you have utilized recommendations from the Peer Edit of August 1, which will also be turned in with your final draft by August 2. If you email me your essay, you will still be required to submit a hard copy of your essay, as well as one peer-edited copy of your Rough Draft, on August 2.
Ø In terms of the Final Draft, your essay’s final grade will be reduced by 10% for every 2 calendar days that it is late. Be sure to email me your essay as soon as possible if you happen to need to turn it in late (to ) .
Ø Turnitin.com: A reminder that both Essays 3 and 4 will need to be submitted to turnitin.com the same day they are turned in to me in class (by 11:59pm on the due date for turnitin.com). I require a hard copy of your paper, and I will check that against your turnitin.com submission before I grade it. You will then get the hard copy back with my critique/revision suggestions of the paper. Note: I will not grade the essay until it is submitted to turnitin.com. If it is not turned in to me and submitted to turnitin.com by the due date/time, the late paper policies will apply.
Essay #4 – Research Paper (Position Paper/Argument Synthesis)
Everything we have done up to this point has been in preparation for the Research Paper. As outlined in the syllabus, it will be worth 2 essays in terms of total percentage, and will be double in length. It is an “argument synthesis,” and thus will combine the synthesis elements of Essay 3 with the persuasive elements we have emphasized in Essay 1. In contrast with Essay 3, however, the focus is on persuading the reader to agree with your position on a forensic issue (an issue currently open to public debate), utilizing elements of logos, pathos, and/or ethos, in addition to the refutation of opposing arguments through logical debate and specifically through analysis of potential/observed logical fallacies, as well as other rhetorical strategies (again, see p. 181 of WRAC handout).
Any topics on p. 227, RRW, will be acceptable. Each student needs to have chosen a topic on the sign-up sheet, and one “pro” and one “con” side for each issue will, in general, be permitted for each. (We will discuss later about a 2-4 minute summary/presentation regarding your research paper, similar to Assignments 1 and 2.) In general, guidelines and requirements for Essay #3 outlined above will pertain to Essay #4, as appropriate, in addition to a few other requirements.
Ø Pay attention to concepts in chapter 10 (Cause/Effect), and chapter 7 (Definition Argument); note that the Research Paper (the “Position Paper” of chapter 9, RRW) should incorporate important concepts from chapters 10 and 7, as well as from chapter 9, whenever possible.
Requirements for our Research Paper (note some additional requirements; any part of the following requirements that are not completed will result in an unacceptable essay; for any emergencies/extenuating circumstances, be sure to contact me as soon as possible):
Ø Minimum word count is 1,500
Ø An approved thesis statement, typed (due August 2; final approval will be required by August 2, via email).
Ø An annotated works-cited page is required, in MLA format, with at least five sources (I encourage use of www.easybib.com for this) – typed, will be due August 6.
Ø 20 Note cards, some from each of your 5 sources – also due August 6 (end of class)
Ø An outline – typed, will also be due August 6 (end of class)
Ø Utilize at least 20 quotations total; some quotations will need to come from each source (use your Wadsworth handbook to assist you.) Supporting evidence of summary, paraphrase, and direct quotes should be utilized.
Ø Typed Rough Draft will be due August 7 (end of class) for a completion grade.
Ø We will do a Peer Edit on August 8 (one typed copy of your essay will be required on this date).
Ø The final draft will be due on Thursday, August 9, both a hard copy and through www.turnitin.com (by 11:59pm for turnitin.com); also, be sure to utilize recommendations from the Peer Edit of August 8, which will also be turned in with your final draft on August 9. If you email me your essay, you will still be required to submit a hard copy of your essay, as well as the peer-edited copy of your Rough Draft, on August 9.
Ø In terms of the Final Draft, your essay’s final grade will be reduced by 10% for every calendar day that it is late. Be sure to email me your essay as soon as possible if you happen to need to turn it in late (to ) .
Ø Note: For the research paper, all work will be due at the beginning of each class unless otherwise specified. Work that is submitted the day it was due but after the time (or class period) in which it was due will suffer a 10 percentage point penalty. Work that is turned in the next day will lose 20 percentage points (be sure to email me the work, when possible). I will deduct 20 percentage points every calendar day after that.
Ø Finally, as it is essential to have all work turned in at the beginning of each class, especially as we begin work on a Research Paper, to this end I will need to stress the importance of arriving punctually in class for receiving full credit for pop quizzes and peer edits.
The Research Essay is a very important element of the English 1301 course, so, again, strive for accuracy, minimal mechanical errors, and for your voice (attitude) to come out.