Synthesis Assignment (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

Synthesis Assignment Page 3

STANDARDS FOR SYNTHESIS ESSAYS

1. Remember that you are using your sources to support your ideas and claims, not the other way around.

2. An A or B paper will create a "dialogue" between your ideas and sources, and also among the sources

themselves.

3. Take special care to address your audience in an appropriate manner. Make sure you provide sufficient

information to make your Thesis Statement convincing.

4. Organize your paper logically:

A. State your thesis clearly and make sure that it reflects the focus of your essay.

B. Make sure your main points are clearly stated (use topic sentences), and connect each point to your

thesis as explicitly as possible.

C. Divide paragraphs logically.

D. Provide appropriate transitions both within and between paragraphs.

5. Develop each main idea thoroughly. Use specific examples and source materials appropriately as support. Be

sure to integrate source materials smoothly into your own writing using lead-in phrases and transitions. Also be

sure to avoid unnecessary repetition (repetition is often an organization problem).

6. Make sure sentences are clear and unambiguous. Avoid passive voice. Double-check to see that sentences

don’t contain any dependent clauses or phrases masquerading as complete sentences.. Also proofread carefully

to correct any other sentence errors. Check capitalization, spelling, commas, etc.

7. Quadruple check your MLA documentation. Are your parenthetical citations correct? Is your Works Cited list

correct according to MLA style, and does it include all sources cited in your essay? Use a citation website to

help you do in-text and Works Cited citations correctly (MLA style).

Synthesis Assignment Page 3