Synthesis Essay
In a synthesis essay, this central, arguable claim must appear in the introduction and guide the direction of the entire paper.
Thesis (statement)
This pig serves as the brilliant, manipulative silver-tongued spokesperson for Napoleon, constantly rewriting history for the other animals.
Squealer
Jose Antonio Vargas discovered his undocumented status at age 16 when he tried to apply for this specific document.
Driver's License
Starr operates in two distinct worlds: her predominantly Black neighborhood of Garden Heights, and this predominantly white private school.
Williamson Prep
In Act 1, Scene 1, the Prince declares that if the Capulets and Montagues disturb the streets of Verona again, this will be their punishment.
Death
Unlike a standard persuasive essay, a synthesis essay explicitly requires the writer to incorporate evidence from these provided items.
Sources (documents)
Orwell's Napoleon is a satirical representation of this actual dictator.
Stalin
What award did Vargas earn while working for the Washington Post?
The Pulitzer Prize
This is the correct, seven-letter spelling of Starr’s childhood best friend whose tragic death sets the events of the novel in motion.
KHALIL
Mercutio delivers a famous, wild monologue about this mythical fairy midwife who delivers dreams (and nightmares) to sleeping people.
Queen Mab
When a student writer accurately cites credible sources and avoids bias to build trust with their reader, they are establishing this specific Aristotelian appeal.
Ethos
This character is remembered for his motto: "I will try harder."
Boxer
Though he is technically his grandfather, Jose grows up calling this man by this specific maternal nickname, reflecting the parental role he played.
Lolo
What is the badge number of the officer who shot Starr's best friend?
115
This ironic literary device occurs when the audience knows Juliet is merely asleep from Friar Laurence’s potion, but Romeo genuinely believes she is dead.
dramatic irony
This is the critical part of a body paragraph where the writer explains how the cited source evidence actually supports their thesis statement.
Commentary (analysis)
By the end of the novella, the Seven Commandments are whittled down to this single, paradox-laden decree.
What is "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"?
Time
Starr's father, Maverick, uses the teachings of this historical political organization to teach his children how to handle police encounters and develop their own community pride.
Black Panthers
Juliet’s line "O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?" is actually asking this question, rather than asking where he is located.
What is "Why are you Romeo?" (or "Why must you be a Montague?")?
To combine different parts, ideas, or pieces of information to create something completely new and unified.
Synthesize
This cynical, elderly donkey is the only animal who seems to realize from the start that changing leadership won't actually change their harsh reality.
Benjamin
Vargas uses his personal narrative to challenge the reader to redefine this foundational concept, arguing it is about identity and contribution rather than legal paperwork.
What is citizenship (or what it means to be an American)?
This character serves as the primary antagonist within Garden Heights, representing the systemic traps of gang violence that DeVante tries to escape.
King
Friar Laurence leaves the crucial letter explaining Juliet's fake death in the hands of this specific friar, who ultimately fails to deliver it.
Friar John