Lesson Materials: For the student-facing pedagogical materials needed to teach today’s class, please open the following page: Synthesis Planning Lesson Materials.
Lesson Objectives: 1. Define summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting; 2. Distinguish between summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting; 3. Understand the difference between a summary, an analysis, and a synthesis; 3. Articulate the main idea of a summary; 4. Use academic reporting verbs in summaries
Connection to Second Major Paper/Project: Because the second major assignment of the semester asks students to analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources, it is important that students learn to summarize, quote, and paraphrase from sources. This lesson helps students practice the essential building blocks of a synthesis reflective annotated bibliography, which will later be used toward the argumentative paper.
Connection to Course Goals: One of the most important goals in the course is to be able to compose within academic writing contexts. The skills addressed in this lesson are essential in any academic endeavor. Academics are expected to understand complex readings and briefly summarize the main message(s). To be able to join an academic conversation, students must be able to properly borrow from other experts’ work, and this lesson introduces students to this process to prepare them to enter academic conversations.
Sequence of Activities: 1. Introduction to the assignment; 2. Assignment Scenario; 3. Assignment Sample; 4. Choosing a Topic; 5. Research Questions; 6. Finding Sources; 7. Graphic Organizer Think/Pair/Share; 8. Reading Discussion; 9. Writing Center Guest; 10. Steven Pinker Activity
Synthesis Planning Day 1
1. Introduction to the Secondary Research Paper/ Synthesis Paper Assignment (25 min): Have students read the assignment sheet, take notes, and prepare questions/comments.
2. Think/Pair/Share Assignment Scenario (25 min): Open the link to the NPR segment, pause after each question and allow students time to fill in the blanks in the Assignment Scenario Activity handout. Have students discuss their answers and prepare to share with the class the main themes of the NPR segment. During class discussion, point out the research that informs the answers and relate it to the scenario of the assignment and to students’ research.
3. Think/Pair/Share Assignment Sample (25 min): Give students time to read through the Reflective Annotated Bibliography in detail. Highlight to students how the worksheet is a model for how students should structure their own entries. Be sure to ask students to prepare questions about what areas they may not understand.
4. Choosing a Topic Think/Pair/Share(25 min): Have students create a table and fill it out following instructions in the PowerPoint lecture. Have students compare their ideas with those in the list of topic choices handout and make a topic choice following guidelines in the PPT.
5. Research Questions Think/Pair/Share(25 min): Go over the example of research questions in the PPT. Have students create research questions in the topic they had just chosen. Have them share their questions with each other, encouraging them to make sure that their partner is curious about the questions they ask. Provide feedback when sharing as a class.
Synthesis Planning Day 2
6. Finding Sources Think/Pair/Share (25 min): Make a couple of quick notes about research in general and use of the CRAP test. Then, have students review a research guide on finding the sources that they need.
Then ask students to use what they learn to find a book, an academic journal article that’s peer reviewed, and a regular news article about their topic.
Have students help each other make sure they found what they needed. Finally, share with the class what some students find and analyze to make sure for example that an article comes from an academic journal
7. Graphic Organizer Think/Pair/Share, 15/15/15 min): Explain the Monica Crowley case and why it is important to learn to summarize, quote, and paraphrase. Have students review slides 16-29 and ask them to make a note of any questions they may have.
Show students instructions of the graphic organizer paraphrasing activity. The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to practice quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Make sure students sort information from the articles they read using the graphic organizer. The instructor will walk around the classroom facilitating, and assisting as needed.
The instructor will validate or question student decisions as needed when they share with the whole class, capitalizing on teachable moments and encouraging students regardless their answers.
Synthesis Planning Day 3
Activity 8: Discuss student reading responses and summaries in a circle. Have each team read their summary and responses and discuss ideas as a class, pointing out key insights on how to analyze and synthesize information.
Activity 9: A guest will visit the class from the Writing Center to shed further light on reading strategies and analyzing information.
Activity 10: Discuss the Curse of Knowledge Video using questions in the Viewing Instructions Handout. Practice with the examples in the Curse of Knowledge Examples Handout.
Note: Use any remaining time for students to work on their drafts.