In the synthesis essay, you will 1) interact with a group of texts that discuss superheroes or comic books, 2) explore their alternate perspectives on an issue, and 3) present a new, enlarged perspective of your own. See chapter 6 of Readings for Writers for detail on Synthesis and chapter 16 for information on Argument and Persuasion.
Requirements:
Write a 4‐5 page synthesis essay in which you summarize and analyze at least two texts and then provide your own point of view. In a very broad sense, this is a compare and contrast essay, only one in which you will be comparing and contrasting ideas, thinking critically and offering your own strong opinion. You will then summarize each viewpoint (analyze) and respond with your own ideas (synthesize). Your response will be in the form of a persuasive argument.
Analysis is the process of taking apart a concept and breaking it down into small components so that you can examine it. You assess it in detail and compare it to other concepts, which you will also analyze. For the purposes of this essay, these materials can be newspaper or magazine articles, movies, documentaries, comic books, or other texts we’ve discussed or you’ve located on your own.
Synthesis is the process of taking information you have analyzed carefully and thoroughly and developing your own, new idea or argument from these thoughts. To begin synthesizing, pose a question that sends you off on an intellectual journey through a group of texts. Your goal is to achieve your own informed view on that question, a view that reflects your intellectual wrestling with the ideas in your sources and integrates them with your own independent thinking.
Sources and Topics:
The two (or more) texts that you analyze can be anything you’ve read, listened to, or watched for this class, anything else you’ve read, or any other movie you’ve seen. On the last few pages of this assignment sheet, I have listed everything we’ve read so far here. I also provide some other ideas of places to look for sources. We’ll talk about evaluating good sources soon.
Write your essay about superheroes, comic books, one of the themes we’ve discussed over the course of the semester. You could, for example, answer one of these questions:
Who is Batman (or any character of your choice, such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider‐Man, Harry Potter, Hercules, etc.)? What aspects of society or humanity does he or she represent? What are the contradictions of the character?
What makes comics a peculiar medium? What can comics communicate that other media can’t? Are they a form of art? What are their limitations? Why do we associate them with superheroes?
What are superheroes for? Do we “need” them? Why do we spend so much money on superhero movies, games, and toys?
Who are superheroes for? Are they just for males? Or children? Or Caucasians? Why or why not? Possible Outline
I. Introduction: Present synthesis question and hook readers. Present thesis, which maps out your main analytical and synthesis points.
II. Summary/analysis of the first text
III. Summary/analysis of the second text
IV. Conclusion:Reiterates values and limitations of the texts you have. Pulls together new insights and leaves readers thinking about your views.
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