When is it due? I don't know. When I feel like it is time.
Why should I put effort into this? Because you guys should practice this kind of writing for AP and SAT. And Walmart is relevant to just about everything. You will learn stuff.
How long should it be? As long as it takes to incorporate three brief discussions about three sources with sufficient weight given to an overall evaluation. Definitely more than 500 words and 5 paragraphs. Don't be afraid of 700 to 1000+. Quality not quantity is your goal.
Is this a normal assignment? No. It is abnormal. It's probably going to be worth more than most things I assign you, because I expect you to do more work and more reading.
How can I make sure I get an A? Say stuff in class. Don't sleep. Don't start your essay at 11 pm the day before it is due. As you know, there is a 20% quota for B's, and I might have to find creative ways to decide who gets them. Handing in stuff late might be a way, or sleeping and not saying stuff.:)
Hello Juniors,
As mentioned in class, we are preparing for a "synthesis essay" regarding the larger than life corporation - Walmart. There is no shortage of material out there that criticizes the giant, but I also welcome you to find sources that legitimize it. It might be that Walmart isn't "all bad," and an entirely natural (and inevitable) result of American ethos. Bigger, faster, cheaper, more. Who doesn't like a giant bag of chips for 99 cents? It may be that the environment and the third world and working class single mother's suffer a bit (or a great deal) because of this giant bag of chips...but in the end this giant bag of chips makes a lot of people happy (and unhealthy)!
MANDATORY READING:
Why mandatory? It was the reason I decided to assign this essay in the first place, and it's simply an engaging essay that is thorough and balanced. It explores the issues surrounding Walmart from all angles, and I'd like you to emulate some of what the writer achieves. There is a lot to learn from writing this essay, and I hope you come away with some valuable insights (and future fodder for SAT essays).
We did get a chance to see parts of the documentary, Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price , and it is available here in its entirety if you feel like a closer look.
As mentioned in class, I'd like you all to supply one source of Walmart-related media (news article, video, website) that can serve as a potential source of opinion while writing. Each of you will graded on this, and you will be asked to incorporate 3 sources into your essay - using them and referencing them and interacting with them to flesh out your central opinion. It does not have to be directly related to Walmart, but it does have to be a part of the overall picture. This essay will involve three graded components:
- Discussion about your source.
- Choosing your 3 sources and forming a thesis (posted on your blog).
- Writing the essay.
We will look at a synthesis sample essay from AP before actually writing. It will be AP in style and execution. Here is a description of what a synthesis essay is directly from AP:
What Is the Synthesis Essay on the Exam Like?
Basically, the student is presented with an introduction to and a description of an issue that has varying viewpoints associated with it. Accompanying this is a selection of sources that address the topic. These sources can be written texts that could include nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even drama, as well as visual texts, such as photos, charts, artwork, cartoons, and so forth.
After carefully reading and annotating the sources, the student is required to respond to the given prompt with an essay that incorporates and synthesizes at least THREE of the sources in support of his position on the subject.
What Is the Purpose of the Synthesis Essay?
The College Board wants to determine how well the student can do the following:
- Read critically
- Understand texts
- Analyze texts
- Develop a position on a given topic
- Support a position on a given topic
- Support a position with appropriate evidence from outside sources
- Incorporate outside sources into the texts of the essay
- Cite sources used in the essay
The synthesis essay is a chance to demonstrate your ability to develop a "researched idea," using not only your personal viewpoint, but also the viewpoints of others. This essay is a reflection of your critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.
What Kinds of Synthesis Essays Can I Expect?
The synthesis essay has two primary approaches. The first kind of synthesis essay is one you're probably familiar with. This is the expository essay in which you develop your thesis and support it with specific examples from appropriate sources. You could develop this type of synthesis essay using any of the rhetorical strategies, such as:
- Compare and contrast
- Cause and effect
- Analysis
The second kind of synthesis essay presents an argument. Here, you take a position on a particular topic and support this position with appropriate outside sources, while indicating the weaknesses of other viewpoints. You should be ready to write either of these two types of synthesis essays. Given the nature of the AP Language exam, however, it is more likely that you will be presented with a synthesis essay prompt that requires a response in the form of an argument.
The important thing is to practice composing both types of synthesis essays. Practice. Practice. Being familiar and comfortable with the synthesis process is the crucial factor.
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Here is another source from AP College Board on how to best execute your argument.
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