[Answered] ENC 1102 FINAL LITERARY ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS ESSAY

FINAL LITERARY ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS ESSAY
What is a Synthesis, and Why Synthesize?
To synthesize means to juxtapose (put elements side-by-side for comparison) and combine separate elements
that share common threads to form a coherent whole. We draw conclusions from, make observations about, and
show connections between points that support a central claim through the examination process of synthesizing.
When writing a literary argument synthesis, you will attempt to make sense of a literary (primary) text of your
choice by examining literary criticism (scholarship) in the context of the argument you make about your chosen
literary (primary) text. The ability to synthesize is an important skill; it is always valuable and useful to know what
scholars have to say about a topic to enhance and hone your own understanding and argument.
Final Literary Argument Synthesis Goals:
A Literary Argument Synthesis Essay makes an arguable claim about a literary text that is reinforced by
both your own supporting points and the secondary, literary scholarly source you find.
Your goals are to:
1) Offer your reader opinions, analysis, and ideas through your literary argument about one literary/primary
text that he/she may not have thought of before you pointed them out.
2) Provide your own thoughtful analysis of literary criticism about your chosen literary text; the literary
criticism you analyze and include in your essay will work to complement your own argument about your
chosen primary text in some way. You may end up adding entirely new thoughts and/or perspectives
concerning your examination of your chosen literary text, extending and developing an already
established argument about the literary text, analyzing weaknesses in the literary criticism about your
literary text, and/or using a larger theoretical or historical/cultural framework through which to examine
your literary text.
3) Include ONE secondary, literary scholarly source from one of Valencia’s library’s databases
that we covered in your Synthesis Essay that you use at least two times within your essay (see
below for possible ways to use your secondary source).
Final Literary Argument Synthesis Essay Directions:
1) For this essay, choose ONE short story or drama, or TWO to THREE poems (you may choose ONE
poem if it’s long enough), from The Valencia Reader (including those covered in class). Remember,
your choice must be able to sustain the length of this essay.
2) TOPIC CHOICES: You will select one topic choice (argument parameter) from the bulleted list
below and assert an arguable claim about your chosen literary text:
• An arguable claim about how the literary text achieves or realizes a reoccurring theme**
• An arguable claim about a character’s role (function, importance), motivations, behaviors, and/or
interactions with others, and the impact that has on the literary text as a whole (if you choose this
topic, you may choose to use your character analysis essay as a foundation, but you must revise
and expand it using this essay’s assignment guidelines/requirements)
• An arguable claim about the writer’s purpose and how the literary text achieves the writer’s
purpose**
• An arguable claim about the role (function, importance) of the narrative’s (or narrator’s) point-ofview or the role of the speaker (in a poem), and the impact it has on the literary text as a whole
• An arguable claim about how any of the following specific literary elements function in the literary
text and why they are important to it overall: symbolism, imagery, dialogue, tone/mood, setting,
props, stage directions, diction (word choice, figurative language such as metaphors and similes),
structure, conflict(s), flashbacks/flashforwards, foreshadowing, and/or irony**
• An arguable claim about the application of a theory (like feminism or psychoanalysis) OR the
historical and/or cultural time period in which the text was written and the time period’s influence
on the text as a whole. If you are interested in literary theories, please visit the following site for
a brief synopsis of the major ones: http://www.studentguide.org/the-major-schools-of-literary-theory/
• As usual, you may develop your own arguable claim; if you do, please run it by me first!
**Keep in mind that many literary elements will work together to achieve some united purpose; many times
this will be to reveal or emphasize a reoccurring theme or the writer’s overarching purpose.
3) When constructing your thesis, remember that it MUST be an arguable claim about your chosen
literary text. For example, below are three statements, but only ONE is a strong thesis statement
that contains an argument:
NO: Moby-Dick is about the problem of uncertainty. Too vague.
NO: Moby-Dick is about a big, white whale. States a fact rather than an argument.
☺☺YES: The multiple instances of white imagery in Moby-Dick illustrate the uncertainty about the life
that Ishmael struggles with throughout the novel. Why is this a stronger thesis statement? It identifies
a literary element (imagery) & intends to apply it to Ishmael’s life struggles (uncertainty)
4) You MUST defend/support your arguable claim with evidence drawn from the literary text, with
support drawn from literary criticism/scholarly research, AND your analysis of both.
Ways to apply YOUR analysis:
✓ Your analysis of direct quotations from the literary/primary text;
✓ Your analysis of summaries and/or paraphrases of relevant plot elements in the literary/primary text;
✓ Your analysis of a scholar’s opinion (secondary, literary scholarly research), which may be included as
direct quotes, summaries, and paraphrases from the secondary, literary scholarly source.
✓ If applicable, your analysis of historical and/or social contexts or theoretical applications.
✓ Remember, don’t let any quotes speak for you; rather, they should complement and support
YOUR analysis.
5) You MUST use ONE secondary, literary scholarly source at least two times within your essay.
You have three main options for how to use your secondary, literary scholarly source:
• It can be a journal article/essay from one Valencia College’s databases that discusses your chosen
literary text in the context of your argument. This means that your secondary source may address your
central argument holistically, and/or it can address a specific supporting point or multiple supporting
points of your argument.
• It can be a journal article/essay from one Valencia College’s databases in which you discuss its
weaknesses, while providing analysis of those weaknesses in the context of your literary argument.
• It can be a journal article/essay from one Valencia College’s databases that discusses the
historical/cultural context of or theoretical application on your chosen literary text. Just remember that
the historical/cultural context or theoretical application must be relevant to the argument you’re
making.
You will also include a Works Cited page (bibliography) that includes BOTH your primary
literary text and your secondary, literary scholarly source. This means that your Works Cited
page will have TWO bibliographic citation entries.
Secondary, Literary Scholarly Source Requirements:
• One Article/Essay from a scholarly journal found through Valencia Library’s online databases.
• ABSOLUTELY NO internet sources under ANY circumstances.
Getting Started…
1) So, what do you write about? Consider the many texts we have read for class. Review the multiple
themes, literary elements, characters, the text’s message(s), historical and/or cultural commentaries,
the role of the setting, etc. that function in the text.
2) Narrow your argument to an examination of one focus within your chosen text (see above for the types
of argument options). You will then present a clear statement of your argument, why it is important,
and the general supporting points/reasons/instances from the text that you plan to address to prove
your argument. Your body paragraphs will then address how your argument functions (i.e. the
supporting points/instances/reasons); the how will then lead you to why your argument is important to
the text overall.
3) Remember that a Literary Argument Synthesis does not merely assert an opinion about the literary text;
it presents an argument, and that argument must be backed up by strong support from both the literary
text (direct quotes accompanied by analysis) and the secondary, literary scholarly source you include
(direct quotes accompanied by analysis). Your analysis of both the literary text and your secondary,
literary scholarly source should persuade your readers that your argument is valid. You WILL need to
rely on direct quotations from your chosen literary text, direct quotations from your secondary, literary
scholarly source, and your analysis of both that relate DIRECTLY back to your argument.
Miscellaneous Requirements/Information:
• This essay must be written using MLA formatting. Please see the document entitled, “Formatting Guidelines for
Formal ENC 1102 Essays,” posted in Unit Module 4 for specific formatting instructions.
• This essay must be 800-1000 words (2.5-4pgs). I will not accept essays less than 800 words (you may go
over the limit by 150 words). Don’t forget to include the word count at the end (excluding MLA header, heading,
title, & Works Cited page).
• Don’t forget to title your essay, as well as include the author’s full name and title of the primary, literary text in
your introduction (refer to the author of the primary, literary text by last name thereafter). You do NOT need to
include the title/author of the secondary, literary scholarly source in the introduction.
• Don’t forget a Works Cited page/bibliography and parenthetical/in-text citations.
• A draft of your introduction and first body paragraph and peer review of at least one of your peer’s draft of their
introduction and first body paragraph is worth 25pts; the final draft of this essay is worth 175 points.
• Optional: I will do an instructor review of your essay if you post it to the Final Essay Instructor Review
Dropbox. For a review, you must upload your draft no later than 11:59pm on Sat, Dec 4.
• Sample Student Final Literary Argument Synthesis essays are posted in Unit Module 4 for your review.
• Please note that reviewing the “Peer Review Checklist-Final Literary Argument Synthesis Essay” is a great document
to use to ensure that your essay contains all of the necessary elements!
• Note: When submitted, your final essay will first go to Unicheck and then be delivered to me.
• This essay is worth 175 points. Don’t forget to proofread and edit CAREFULLY.
Draft of your Literary Argument Synthesis Essay’s Introduction & First Body Paragraph AND
Peer Review of One of your Peer’s Draft of their Introduction & First Body Paragraph are
due in-class on Thurs, December 2 (If digital copies, but sure to bring a workable device to use).
The Final Literary Argument Synthesis Essay is due by 11:59pm on Thurs, December 9*
*No Late Submissions Permitted; Submissions will be made via the LASE Dropbox in Canvas.
If you desire help on your essay from me, please note that I will be in our classroom at the following times
on the following days during Finals Week. Dropping in is OPTIONAL, you may drop in any time, and help
will be on a first come/first served basis:

Solution

The short story Two Kinds by Amy Tan follows the entirely different generations of mothers and daughters who had a hard time reconciling their opposing views on what they could become. In line with this short story, Liz Brent wrote an overview of the story by analyzing various aspects and styles to make the intended message known to the target reader. The Two Kinds story recounts the life of a young Chinese American girl and her complicated relationship with her traditional, Chinese immigrant mother. The latter has a preset idea of what her daughter should become. The story is well told, and the writer from the introduction makes the audience aware of the story’s setting and then gradually builds up to the central conflict in the story, which covers most of the text. The author then ends the story by fast-forwarding to the future but not in a way that leaves the reader feeling like they missed a vital part of the story………….Purchase the link to access full answer @$8