Synthesis Essay: Subject by Subject Literary synthesis is the combination of ideas from several sources of literature to form a single conclusion. The writer’s job is to search for areas in which the ideas in the literary pieces parallel each other by making similar, insightful connections through common themes or traits. YOUR synthesis essay will focus on the common THEME of multiple pieces of literature. Think of it as a comparison/contrast essay proving that several different pieces of literature share the same message and that they express this message in ways that are both similar and different. Caution: Do NOT summarize the content of the texts. Analyze HOW the authors prove the same point. Structure and Content: Paragraph 1 – Introduction Begin with a hook related to the prompt topic (the theme of the texts). State the names of the texts and the full names of the authors. (In subsequent references, you can refer to the authors by last name only.) State your thesis (that all texts are related through the theme). Preview the topics of the body paragraphs. *The names of the text and authors, your thesis, and your preview can be combined into one sentence or each be their own sentences. Example: Two of Steven Crane’s works, “A Man Said to the Universe” and “The Open Boat, both suggest the idea that though man sees himself as important, nature sees him as insignificant. Though two different genres of literature, both literary works support this theme through the use of irony and juxtaposition. Paragraph 2- Body paragraph about text #1 Topic sentence stating that text #1 supports the common theme. 1 st Textual evidence proving your topic sentence o Introduce the evidence o Quote/paraphrase/summarize the evidence o Explain the evidence
2
Embed
Synthesis Essay: Subject by Subject · 2020. 3. 16. · Synthesis Essay: Subject by Subject Literary synthesis is the combination of ideas from several sources of literature to form
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Synthesis Essay: Subject by Subject
Literary synthesis is the combination of ideas from several sources of literature to form a single
conclusion. The writer’s job is to search for areas in which the ideas in the literary pieces parallel each
other by making similar, insightful connections through common themes or traits.
YOUR synthesis essay will focus on the common THEME of multiple pieces of literature.
Think of it as a comparison/contrast essay proving that several different pieces of literature share the
same message and that they express this message in ways that are both similar and different.
Caution: Do NOT summarize the content of the texts. Analyze HOW the authors prove the same point.
Structure and Content:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction
Begin with a hook related to the prompt topic (the theme of the texts).
State the names of the texts and the full names of the authors. (In subsequent references, you
can refer to the authors by last name only.)
State your thesis (that all texts are related through the theme).
Preview the topics of the body paragraphs.
*The names of the text and authors, your thesis, and your preview can be combined into one
sentence or each be their own sentences.
Example: Two of Steven Crane’s works, “A Man Said to the Universe” and “The Open Boat, both
suggest the idea that though man sees himself as important, nature sees him as insignificant.
Though two different genres of literature, both literary works support this theme through the use
of irony and juxtaposition.
Paragraph 2- Body paragraph about text #1
Topic sentence stating that text #1 supports the common theme.
1st Textual evidence proving your topic sentence
o Introduce the evidence
o Quote/paraphrase/summarize the evidence
o Explain the evidence
2nd Textual evidence proving your topic sentence
o Introduce the evidence
o Quote/paraphrase/summarize the evidence
o Explain the evidence
A brief explanation of how this piece’s approach to theme is similar to the other 2 pieces
AND/OR of how its approach is different. You can place this in the beginning of the paragraph
with your topic sentence if you prefer.
Example: While Crane addresses the topic of man’s insignificance to nature through poetry in “A
Man Said to the Universe, he explores the same topic through narrative in his short story “The
Open Boat”. “The Open Boat” also uses irony to prove that man is insignificant to nature. For
example… In addition, the poem employees juxtaposition to prove the theme as can be seen
through the side by side placement of the man’s exclamation and the universe’s response. In line
2, the man exclaims, “Sir, I exist!” (Crane). The poem is more abrupt and blunt in its message
than the short story which requires the reader to interpret the message throughout the
progression of the narrative.
Paragraph 3- Body paragraph about text #2
Paragraph 4- Body paragraph about text #3
Paragraph 5- Conclusion
Restate thesis.
Summarize topic sentences (and possibly most significant differences mentioned in the body).
Close with something to leave the reader thinking (similar to a hook).
Writing Tips:
Write about literature in present tense. Ex. The poem is about… The character says…
Ideas – Demonstrate that you understand the content of the literature and demonstrate an
insightful analysis of the literature.
Fluency – variety of lengths and sentence beginnings
Transitions – include between ideas and between paragraphs
Word Choice – strong verbs, precise nouns
Grammar, punctuation, and capitalization count
Legibility – If I can’t read your handwriting, I can’t grade it.