Synthesis (Expository and Argument)
Here’s a colorkey I frequently use for any type of synthesis writing — insisting that students colorcode their writing at various steps along the way, including the finished product:
- As far as teaching line of reasoning, I rely heavily on this silly one-page outline graphic organizer. I find that these one-page outlines are very easy for me to check for solid reasoning (e.g. — Does she have evidence from more than one distinct source for each supporting idea? Does the commentary actually support the claim?), and its design helps kids of all levels really visualize what their essay should be mechanically doing: https://bentonenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/One-page-outline-TEXTLESS.pdf
- The most functionally useful rubric for both argument and expository — I’ve found — is College Board’s rubric for the Synthesis Essay (on the AP English Language exam). While the official one is an absolute eyesore, its Row B is great for working students up the ladder so that their evidence is solid (i.e. — is specific, comes from at least three of the provided sources, supports their supporting ideas/r) and so that their commentary is putting in the work (i.e. — explaining how all of the evidence supports their line of reasoning). Here’s a far prettier one-page version that I’ve used for both argument and expository scoring: https://bentonenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Synthesis-Rubric-1pager.pdf
- As far as thesis frames go, here are what I’ve used for Synthesis/Argument/Expository essay planning: https://notability.com/n/0SSm87_28Ca7WrUe42Ue0S
- Not to be completely sidelined, here are the state/official rubrics for argument and expository essays: https://bentonenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/FAST-writing-rubrics-2425.pdf
- For an-almost infinite supply of topics for argumentation with accompanying sources, I suggest Procon.org. However, if most of a class is struggling with basic argumentation, something super simple (e.g. — cats or dogs, apples or oranges) can work to get them generating their own supporting reasons and evidence.
- And to help students with what synthesis/argument/expository evidence actually looks like in the wild, I use this “Types of Evidence” classification handout: https://bentonenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Types-of-Evidence.pdf
- If students struggle with writing effective commentary, here are some elaboration sentence starters and language to help with transitions: https://bentonenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/transitionsANDelaboration.pdf