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Synthesis Essay Assignment Guide

The Explanatory Synthesis Essay Assignment aims to help students integrate sources into their writing. Students must choose between two topics, either plagiarism or the importance of going to college, and write a 6 to 7 paragraph synthesis essay that incorporates quotations and adheres to MLA formatting. The essay should include an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs supporting the thesis, a conclusion, and a Works Cited page.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4 views2 pages

Synthesis Essay Assignment Guide

The Explanatory Synthesis Essay Assignment aims to help students integrate sources into their writing. Students must choose between two topics, either plagiarism or the importance of going to college, and write a 6 to 7 paragraph synthesis essay that incorporates quotations and adheres to MLA formatting. The essay should include an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs supporting the thesis, a conclusion, and a Works Cited page.

Uploaded by

lemydc
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Assignment

Purpose:
The purpose of this essay assignment is to practice integrating or blending sources into your
own writing. Up until now, your supporting ideas have come from your own experiences
and observations. In this essay, you need to use source material to support your ideas.

Essay  Prompt:    After  reading  the  articles  for  your  topic,  Option  1  or  Option  2,  think  about  
an  aspect  that  you  want  to  explain  to  your  reader.  Write  a  6  or  7  paragraph  synthesis  
essay  that  shows  the  complexities  of  the  issue.  Use  quotations  from  the  sources  to  support  
your  points,  and  cite  your  sources  using  MLA  format.  

Questions to Help You Brainstorm:

Plagiarism (Option 1)
1. Is any idea truly original?
2. What is the price of plagiarism? Price means: money, pride, values, opportunities,
etc.
3. Who pays the price: authors, readers, students, educators, etc.?
4. How easy is it to "get away" with plagiarism?
5. How does the Internet affect the problem?
6. Why is this an important topic?
7. What are the motives of plagiarism?
8. What are some of the unexpected benefits that the court cases produce?

The Importance of Going to College (Option 2)


1. What do students gain from going to college?
2. What do students gain from not going to college?
3. Is there a difference in salary for college graduates and non-graduates?
4. Are there any stigmas about going to college or not going?
5. Do students ever regret their decision to go to college or not?
6. Do employers really care if a job applicant went to college or not?
7. Can the decision to go to college be made at a later time?
8. Does it matter where one goes to college if he decides to go?
Your typed Synthesis Essay should include:

• Short, fresh title

• Introduction paragraph: This should have an interesting opening and include general
information. End your introduction with a thesis statement. The thesis should state the topic
and the controlling idea, which is the point you want to make about the topic. For this short
essay, the introduction should be 3-6 sentences.

• Body paragraphs with sources: Your body paragraphs should support the thesis statement.
Start the body paragraphs with topic sentences. Then give several supporting ideas to
support the topic sentence. After each supporting idea, give a detail or example to explain it
further. This is where you should use a quotation or paraphrase from your source
materials. Each body paragraph should be about 8-12 sentences long. Try to have at least 4
body paragraphs.

• Conclusion: Summarize briefly your major points. Don’t introduce new ideas, and don’t
restate every point you already made. Give the reader a final thought. Keep the conclusion
under 5 sentences.

• Works Cited page: This page follows the last page of your essay and should have a page
number on it. All of the sources that you used should be listed alphabetically in the Works
Cited page and should be properly formatted. You should have only a few sources for this
paper.

Formatting: The essay should be about 3 typed pages, double-spaced, with 12 point font
(Times New Roman or Arial). All margins should be 1 inch wide. Please use an academic
tone.

*Do not over quote. Maximum three short quotes per body paragraph. Two quotes per
paragraph is enough.

Follow  these  steps  to  get  started:  

1. Read  all  of  your  sources  (the  articles  for  Option  1  or  Option  2)  
2. Make  sure  you  understand  them  
3. Choose  a  complex  issue  that  you  want  to  explain  
4. Plan  4  or  5  body  paragraphs  that  will  show  the  reader  the  point  you  want  to  
make  
5. Write  your  rough  draft  with  your  ideas  only  (no  source  material)  
6. Look  for  places  to  add  supporting  quotes  or  paraphrases  
7. Choose  the  best  information  for  support  (be  selective)  
8. Cite  your  sources  

Common questions

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Court cases related to plagiarism may lead to stronger legal frameworks and increased public awareness about intellectual property rights. These benefits can encourage more stringent adherence to ethical standards and inspire educational programs that emphasize the importance of originality and proper citation. Moreover, high-profile cases can clarify legal ambiguities, setting precedents that help protect authors' rights and deter future infringements .

Societal stigma can pressure individuals to attend college, viewing it as a requisite for success, or conversely, stigmatize those who perceive it as unnecessary. This influence can shape self-esteem and societal contributions, prompting some to conform to societal expectations irrespective of personal aspirations. Recognizing and addressing such stigma is crucial to allow freedom in educational decisions .

The Internet increases the ease and temptation of plagiarism by making a vast array of resources easily accessible. This leads to challenges for authors, who may find their work replicated without credit, and educators, who must devise systems to detect and deter plagiarism. Implications include a risk of intellectual theft and ethical lapses in academic and creative fields, requiring increased awareness and use of technology to uphold academic integrity .

Common motivations for plagiarism include the pressure to achieve high grades, lack of confidence in one's own ideas, and poor time management. Understanding these motivations allows educators and institutions to create supportive environments that emphasize creativity, resource accessibility, and time management skills, thereby reducing the incentives to plagiarize and promoting original work development .

Delaying college can benefit students by allowing maturity and clearer career goals, leading to more focused educational pursuits. Time off may provide real-world experience, financial savings, and personal growth, enhancing the college experience when undertaken later. These advantages suggest a strategic approach to education rather than adhering to normative timelines .

Economic costs of plagiarism include potential legal fees and loss of royalties for authors unknowingly plagiarized. Non-economic costs involve damage to reputation, loss of academic credibility, and missed opportunities. These consequences affect not only the plagiarizer but also the original authors, as their work may be undervalued. This dual impact showcases the multifaceted nature of plagiarism's ramifications .

The choice of college can impact networking opportunities, resource availability, and perceived prestige, influencing career prospects. However, personal drive and the ability to leverage available opportunities often play a more significant role in determining success. The college’s alignment with an individual’s goals and values is crucial, highlighting factors beyond reputation in making the decision .

A college degree can open doors to higher-paying jobs and positions that require specialized knowledge, but it is not universally essential for employment. Many employers value skills and experience over formal education, and rising student debt prompts critical analysis of the degree's return on investment. Moreover, certain fields prioritize practical training, suggesting that the relevance of a college degree may vary across industries .

Beyond salary, college education can provide critical thinking skills, networking opportunities, and personal growth. These benefits contribute to a richer life experience, broader perspectives, and increased adaptability in various life challenges. While some regret their choice due to financial burdens or unrewarding career paths, others find long-term satisfaction and personal development, illustrating diverse individual impacts .

The concept of originality is complex as it intertwines with how ideas are perceived and developed over time. While an idea may seem original, it often draws on existing concepts, knowledge, and cultural contexts, making true originality a nuanced subject. Discussions around plagiarism highlight this complexity as they challenge the boundaries of idea ownership and the evolution of thought. Evaluating originality requires understanding that every new idea is part of a collective knowledge framework influenced by prior ideas .

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