An absent parent inhibits one’s ability to form fundamental relationships.

Synthesis Paper Sources

How many and what types of sources do students need for this paper?

4-6 sources required
Do not go outside this source number range. 4 sources minimum to 6 sources maximum
Outstanding, excellent Synthesis Papers have been written using just 4 sources, so do NOT assume using more sources will lead to a higher grade. It’s usually the opposite.

What kinds of sources should college level students use?

The inspiration for the topic you will argue in the Synthesis Paper will be one of the 8 Argumentative Essay readings we have discussed this quarter. That means you must choose at least one of the 8 readings as one of your sources for this paper, which is great because that means you already have at least one source already to include in your paper.

Some of you may end up using a RR or Paper 1 as a leaping off point or a body paragraph for your Synthesis paper. That’s great and can really help students knowing they can use parts of previous writing in this last paper.

Besides the course reading, college level students must search for 3 credible, researched scholarly, peer reviewed sources collected and found in our EdCC library databases. These kinds of sources will truly help students support their own original argument as they dig deeper into the subject area further than what our online discussions can provide. This gives students the opportunity to really explore one area of interest based on prior knowledge or just plain curiosity about a subject raised in our analytical-focused discussions.

Sources students are REQUIRED to use:

At least 1 of the Argument Essays discussed in this course
3 Scholarly, Peer Reviewed database articles

Sources students may also consider using as OPTIONAL:

online popular articles
newspapers
magazines
interviews
blogs
textbooks
government publications

Unacceptable sources:

dictionaries
encyclopedias of any kind
reviews
Requirements for Synthesis Paper

It’s time to write this properly MLA 8 formatted paper and include your 4-6 sources.

How long does this paper have to be?

6 paragraphs= C range goals

7 paragraphs= B range goals

8 paragraphs= A range goals

All paragraphs must be a minimum of 7 sentences.

All papers must have an introduction and conclusion.

All papers must have textual, sourced evidence in EVERY body paragraph. 1 source must be from our course argument essays; 3 sources must be scholarly and peer reviewed.

All papers must have a minimum of 2 body paragraphs where 2 different sources are used to support the topic of that one body paragraph. That’s the synthesis!

All papers must use ONLY the sources listed on the Works Cited page. Yes, you may use a source multiple times throughout your paper, but you must use each source at least once.

Style requirements for the Synthesis Paper
Use academic writing style for the best results!
Omit contractions; replace with full, robust verbs
Avoid 1st and 2nd person pronouns
Avoid SOB verbs
Avoid slang: children, not kids; officer, not cop; satisfactory, not okay; males, not guys
Embed quotes by providing context through your voice controlling the quote
Apply excellent sentence variety

When writing an introduction remember to introduce the topic only and NOT a single reading. Don’t ask questions and do not include evidence in the introduction. Begin with attn getter, topic importance, issue or controversy related to the topic, who it matters to, and then end with your thesis/argument. 7-12 sentences

Body paragraphs must follow textual evidence format beginning with clear, specific, different topic sentences for each body paragraph, further identification, clarification, and definition that extends the topic sentence. Students should not dump right to the source. I need to hear the student’s voice established before the source is introduced. Quoted or paraphrased evidence belongs in the MIDDLE of body paragraphs. Students must apply TABS (title, author, background, summary) to each source in a body paragraph the first time it is used. Don’t forget page numbers from database articles! Body paragraphs must then demonstrate the analysis of the source in relation to the student’s argument. Connection to the topic of the that paragraph and then to the thesis must be established in the student’s voice. Remember that 2 body paragraphs must include 2 different sources of evidence and the student must connect through his/her voice showing the synthesis of the sources. 7-12 sentences, but honestly, some of these will be quite long if they are done correctly and that’s fine.

Conclusion begins with restating, not copying, the thesis in the very first sentence. Then students must present the controversy of their argument in an enlightened way. DO NOT SUMMARIZE your body paragraphs in a conclusion. That is a waste of time. Instead, tell your reader why this topic is so important and how the argument affects society. What do you want them to do.? Think? Act? Understand? What are possible solutions? 7-12 sentences