Bell Ringer: On your table is a list of commonly confused words. With your table groups, discuss the differences between the words (make sure everyone understands), and then use each in a sentence (one paper/group). You may look up words if necessary. If there is no list on your table, join another group. Commonly Confused Words
Accept vs. Except Compliment vs.Complement Than vs. Then Who vs. Whom Affect vs. Effect That vs. Which Principal vs. Principle Quote vs. Quotation AP Synthesis Essay The synthesis question asks students to synthesizeinformation from a variety of sources to inform their owndiscussion of a topic. Students are given a 15-minute readingperiod to accommodate the additional reading required forthe question. Prompt Example Television has been influential in United States presidentialelections since the 1960s. But just what is this influence, and howhas it affected who is elected? Has it made elections fairer andmore accessible, or has it moved candidates from pursuing issuesto pursuing image? Read the following sources (including any introductory information)carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of thesources for support, take a position that defends, challenges, orqualifies the claim that television has had a positive impact onpresidential elections. Gatsby Synthesis/Research Essay
Prompt: Read the sources carefully. Then, in an essay thatsynthesizes at least three of the sources for support, take aposition that defends, challenges, or qualifies the claim thatthe American Dream is still possible today. The (and the research part):
You will be finding your own sources. You must have at least six sources. All should in some way address the possibility of the American Dream. One of the six sources should be an excerpt from The Great Gatsby (you may choose any section of the text you like). At least one, but no more than two, of your sources should be visual (this could include charts, graphs, comics, or images). At least one of your six sources should be arguing against your claim. All sources must be printed. Essay Requirements Define your interpretation of the American
Dream near the beginning of your essay Present a strong argument for your position, addressing counterclaims 500 word MINIMUM MLA format and citations Sources: Wednesday in class (printed!)
Essay: Friday, midnight on turnitin.com Finding Sources: Finding good evidence for a research project is rarely asimple matter. The quality of the evidence may become part of theargument itself. Who collected the evidence? How did they collect it? For what purpose did they collect it? Consider the rhetorical situation.
Remember this? E.g. A detailed survey of localteenagers may serve as excellentevidence for educational reform inthe writers rural hometown, butmay be less successful in a largeinner-city community. Arguing that officials should use the same economic policies of the mid 20th century based on their success during that time would not be convincing because the world economy has drastically changed in the last 50 years. As always, consider your audience.
People in different cultures, or even in different fields, mayaccept different kinds of evidence. What kinds of data are preferred as evidence?(Quantitative, Qualitative, Firsthand, Secondhand, etc.) What or who counts as an authority in this field? Respond: You want to argue thatadvertisements should notinclude demeaningrepresentations ofchimpanzees and that the useof primates in advertising should be banned. You decide to present your argument to Careerbuilder's CEOsand advertising officials. What kind of evidence would be most compelling to thisgroup? How would you rethink your use of evidence if you were writing for thecampus newspaper or for animal-rights group members? What kinds of evidencemight each group value? Why? Collegiate Essays Will definitely require you to move beyond a google search. Library databases (JSTOR, Academic Search Complete,ProQuest, EBSCOhost, etc.) are extremely helpful for findingserious academic sources. Using the IRSC scholarly databases
If you are currently dual enrolled, you can access these here: irsc.edu click on students tab scroll down to learning support and click on libraries link click on Find eResources (Articles) tab on left hand side click on Databases by subject link Login with your IRSC student ID and pin number, which is your birthday: MMDD Free resources: IRSC lists several free online databases organized by subjectat this link: -Access-DBs.pdf Using databases and search engines
Whether on google or the irsc library resources, Check out the different databases and use the advanced search objects withineach to search for scholarly sources. you can search for authors name, title, key terms, etc use the full text option narrow your searches by date, field, types of materials, etc use quotation marks if you want to search for an exact phrase (e.g. AmericanDream) use and, or, and not phrases (American Dream and Capitalism, AmericanDream not Capitalism, American Dream or Capitalism) Assessing Sources Relevance - is it directly relevant to your argument? Credentials and stance of the author Credentials and stance of the publisher or sponsor Currency - check the date Accuracy - does the author cite credible sources for his/her information? Level of specialization - you may need the authority of specialized works Audience - general readership? specialists? advocates? opponents? Length - is it long enough to provide adequate support? Availability - is it readily accessible? Omissions - whats missing? URL - .com (commercial), .org (nonprofit), .edu (educational institution), .gov(government institution), .mil (military), .net (network), .ca (canada)