Synthesis Essays
What is the first step you should take when approaching a synthesis essay prompt?
Read the prompt carefully to understand the central issue or question before examining the sources.
What's the difference between argument and synthesis essays?
Argument essays rely on your own evidence and reasoning, while synthesis essays require using provided sources.
What is the purpose of a rhetorical analysis
To analyze how an author uses rhetorical choices to convey their message or achieve their purpose.
What is exigence?
The issue, problem, or situation that prompts an author to write or speak.
Regardless of essay type, what should your thesis always do?
Make a clear claim that answers the prompt and shows your line of reasoning.
What is the main goal of a synthesis essay?
To develop your own argument using multiple perspectives and evidence from provided sources.
What are the three devices and how do they relate to argument essays?
ethos, pathos, and logos, they are appeals that strengthen your argument.
What are rhetorical choices?
Specific strategies (like diction, imagery, tone, structure, appeals, syntax, etc.) an author uses to persuade.
How is purose different from exigence?
Exigence is the reason something needed to be said; purpose is what the author wants to achieve by saying it.
How does audience influence rhetorical choices
Writers tailor tone, diction, and evidence to appeal to their audience’s values and beliefs.
When combining ideas from multiple sources, what’s the best way to show you’re synthesizing rather than just summarizing?
Connect ideas across sources, show relationships, agreements, or contradictions and explain how they work together to support your argument.
What does it mean to establish a line of reasoning in an argument essay?
It means creating a logical progression of ideas that connects your claim to your evidence and commentary throughout the essay.
Why is tone important in rhetorical analysis?
Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject; it reveals purpose and audience awareness.
Identify an example of exigence: A politician gives a speech after a national crisis.
The national crisis is the exigence prompting the speech.
In a synthesis or argument essay, what makes a thesis strong?
It’s specific, arguable, and establishes a clear position or perspective.
How should you avoid summary in this essay?
Comment on how or why the evidence supports your argument rather than retelling it.
What’s one effective way to create specific, logical evidence without sources?
Use historical examples, current events, personal observations, or literature with analysis.
What should a rhetorical analysis thesis statement include?
The author’s name, the rhetorical situation (idea + perspective), and the main rhetorical choices.
Why is understanding exigence crucial in rhetorical analysis?
It helps explain why the author made certain rhetorical choices in that specific moment.
What is explicit and what is implicit
Explicit: directly addressed audience; Implicit: those indirectly influenced or observing.
What's a good strategy for addressing counter argument?
Acknowledge a valid opposing source and refute or qualify it with reasoning and evidence.
What should a strong argument conclusion do?
Synthesize ideas, reaffirm your claim, and show the broader significance or implications of your argument.
It shows how the arrangement of ideas supports the author’s purpose or manipulates audience response.
What are the three main purposes an author might have, and what do they mean?
To inform (teach the audience), to persuade (convince them), or to entertain (engage them emotionally).
Rewrite this weak thesis into a strong one:
“Social media can be bad or good depending on how you use it.”
Example: “While social media can connect people globally, its constant engagement fosters comparison and anxiety that harm users’ well-being.”