Critical Synthesis/Dialogic
For this part of Project 1, you are putting the sources/authors in a conversation with each other and yourself, so that you can compare them (this is called “synthesis”). Doing so will help you to get your thoughts together and organize them which will in turn help you to write your essay. You will compose a scene with dialogue (like in a play or movie script). Be sure to be clear when you are quoting vs. paraphrasing. Include the authors’ names and page numbers for the passages you use so you can find them again easily to include in your essay.
Directions for Fictional Dialogue (script)
Your dialogue must be long enough that your reader can get a full scope of the conversation (about 2-3 pages, double-spaced).
You must use some portion of Gallop, McIntosh, and Lorde (You can throw Keltner into the mix as well, but you are not required to do so).
YOU MUST BE A VOICE IN THE CONVERSATION! Don’t forget to include yourself in the conversation and express your own opinions regarding the topic.
All four “characters” in your script (yourself included) should interact with one another. No one’s just stating ideas; it’s a conversation.
Guidelines for the Dialogue
(here’s where you get some creative freedom; have fun with it!)
Describe your setting in sufficient detail to help your readers situate themselves. You may choose any setting you would like: a coffee shop, a Skype session, an academic conference, a subway ride, among others!
Provide a brief narrative introduction that explains how and why the authors have decided to hold this “meeting,” as well as a brief narrative conclusion that explains what happens when the conversation is over.
Focus on creating natural dialogue that accurately expresses the authors’ ideas.
Rely primarily on paraphrasing the authors’ ideas, although you are welcome to use direct quotations occasionally, so long as you properly cite them in-text.
Appropriate Dialogue Format:
The author’s last name should appear on the left in bold, followed by a colon, a space, and then what he/she says, similar to how dialogue is structured in plays. There are no quotations marks!
The entire conversation should be double-spaced, and if a speaker continues for more than one line, then all successive lines should be indented.
Any stage directions should be in parentheses and italicized.
Gallop: Critical reading is incredibly important. We must be open to what the reader is trying to convey.
Lorde: (In a pointed tone) I think that …..
McIntosh: (McIntosh stands up and slams her fist on the table.) I agree with you Gallop and Keltner. We must listen to others and be compassionate. The problem is that so many people who are in a place of privilege refuse to listen and be compassionate towards those who do not have the same privileges that they do.
Your scripts can be as ridiculous or as serious as you’d like, as long as you’re accurately depicting each of the authors’ voices. Have fun, be creative, and treat it like a real conversation!
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