Synthesis Activities – Students are required to write assigned reading synthesis papers periodically throughout the course. These papers will synthesize the course readings during each identified time period. More information provided in the Class Schedule.
Synthesis writing is designed to 1) improve your professional writing and synthesis skills, 2) cause you to reflect on your own professional and/or scholarly practice through the theoretical lenses explored in this class, and 3) to think through some of the issues you may address in your ALAP if you so choose. As we develop your work and organization around Synthesis Statements, our plan is to start with the actual statements and build to a full paper. We will discuss how this will work in class.
Annotated References on Chosen Topics (3%)
Students will choose a topic and then find five (5) articles related to that topic. These should be scholarly (peer-reviewed) and empirical articles (includes original research).
Each annotation will include the following: the reference to the article, properly referenced using APA (chapters 9 & 10); the in-text citation (APA Chapter 7); the purpose of the article; the type of article, and the major findings of the article.
Synthesis Purpose Statement and Road Map Statements (2%)
Students will create an overarching purpose statement that explains the point that will be proved using the evidence from the resources. Students will complete 2 roadmap statements (more roadmap statements are used for longer papers) that explain the major subtopics that will justify the purpose statement/major point. These will accurately follow a basic formula and use a scholarly tone.
Outline with Purpose Statement and Road Map Statements (3%)
Students will create an outline that consists of:
Introduction:
Purpose statement
Road map statements
Synthesis
Paragraph 1 (from roadmap statement 1)
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Paragraph 2 (from roadmap statement 2)
Evidence
Evidence
Evidence
Reflection
Personal justification for purpose
Personal justification for road map 1
Personal justification for road map 2
Conclusion
Restate purpose
Implications for future research
One body paragraph (2%)
Students will write and turn in ONE body paragraph for their synthesis section.
Synthesis Paper (10%)
The synthesis paper should have all of the following:
Introduction (1 paragraph)
Why this topic is important (2-4 sentences)
Purpose statement (1 sentence)
Roadmap statements (2-3 sentences)
Synthesis (2 paragraphs)
Each paragraph will provide evidence for exactly one of the roadmap statements.
Paragraphs will have topic sentences with appropriate transitions, at least three major details, and a concluding sentence.
Paragraphs will weave together ideas from multiple sources in order to form an overall or new idea, rather than simply summarizing the works of authors.
Paragraphs will be 5-8 sentences long, as appropriate.
Reflection (1 paragraph)
The reflection will restate your purpose statement but from your own perspective. It will then use the roadmap statements to either 1) provide real-world examples of how you have experienced the topic; or 2), explain how you will apply this knowledge as a future leader.
Conclusion: Whereas the introduction explains the purpose and then breaks down how the purpose will be supported, the conclusion puts the main idea back together again. It not only summarizes the main ideas, but weaves them back together into a coherent whole. It may also explain points for future study.
Each synthesis statement should be no longer than 3 double spaced pages (this is a hard limit) and follow APA 7th Edition guidelines (when in doubt, look it up). The synthesis section should focus on weaving together the principal points among the various readings in a way that demonstrates how you can identify themes, consistencies and even contradictions in the knowledge base on a particular topic. The reflection section should demonstrate your ability to meta-cognitively reflect on your current dispositions and performance in light of the research-based content found in the readings. In addition, your reflection may also identify areas for improvement of your practice based on the knowledge gained from your synthesis.
This exercise is critical to your development as a scholar and educational leader. Excellent written communication reflects clear reasoning, critical thinking and deeper understanding. Furthermore, successful completion of all requirements for licensure, including passing the licensure exam, requires the ability to demonstrate and articulate knowledge (i.e., a research based understanding of important issues), dispositions (i.e., your values and beliefs about leadership, management, teaching and learning, social justice, etc., and performance (i.e., how you apply your knowledge and beliefs on the job) related to leadership roles in public education.
Synthesis papers will be required in almost every course that you take as a part of this program.
NOTE: It is possible that you will only need to write either one or two drafts of your synthesis paper. The more closely you follow what is in your APA manual and what you learn in class, the more likely you are to not have to complete subsequent drafts. If you do NOT address comments from one draft to the next, 5 points will automatically be deducted from whatever your final grade ends up being.
Note: You are expected to use at least four scholarly (peer-reviewed, empirical) articles in addition to the textbook readings. They should preferably be the ones that you review for your annotated references, but as you write, you may find that you need to go back and choose more or different articles based upon your purpose and roadmap statements.
This exercise is critical to your development as a scholar and educational leader. Excellent written communication reflects clear reasoning, critical thinking and deeper understanding. Furthermore, successful completion of all requirements for licensure, including passing the licensure exam, requires the ability to demonstrate and articulate knowledge (i.e., a research based understanding of important issues), dispositions (i.e., your values and beliefs about leadership, management, teaching and learning, social justice, etc., and performance (i.e., how you apply your knowledge and beliefs on the job) related to leadership roles in public education.
Last Completed Projects
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