Now that you have had ample time to practice your critical reading and annotation skills in the various readings that you have completed in this course, it is time to introduce you to your first formal writing assignment--the Expository Synthesis. Before we dissect the details of this assignment, let's take a look at the big picture for context.

As per the course learning objectives listed in my Syllabus, up until this point we have focused on fundamental critical reading and annotation skills. In and of themselves, these skills allow for a deep level of comprehension as you converse--and even debate--with the authors of your readings. While the opportunities for you to debate and argue will come towards the end of this course and entirely in English 301, there are various learning objectives we need to accomplish before you get there.

To build upon the critical reading and annotating skills, the following is a list of objectives that you will learn and demonstrate as we engage in various writing exercises:

-An understanding of the recursive writing process
-An understanding of paragraph and essay construction
-Basic research skills that include analyzing sources
-The ability to comply with a standard formatting style (APA)

While these learning objectives may seem overwhelming when presented all at once, they will be separated into three phases that together encompass the writing process.

The first phase of the writing process is the Brainstorming phase. This is where you will determine a controversial topic, issue, and lens upon which you will base your Expository Synthesis. While I do invite creative brainstorming activities to take place, you will complete a Purpose Outline to establish a preliminary structure to your essay and a Brainstorming Techniques worksheet consisting of various questions you should anticipate in your research and address in your essay. Both of these activities will be detailed in their respective Class Preparation Assignments (CPA's).

The second phase of the writing process that we will explore is the Researching phase during which you will be required to attend the Gateway Seminar in the McKay Library. This seminar will expose you to the online library resources that are available for you to conduct your research.

After the attending the Gateway Seminar, you will be capacitated to perform preliminary research on your decided topic, issue, and lens. You will be turning in to me annotated pages of your acquired sources and complete a Positions worksheet where you will map out the various opinions or positions on your decided topic, issue, and lens.

Towards the end of the Researching phase, you will conference with me individually where you will explain your topic, issue, and lens and prove that they are adequate for your Expository Synthesis assignment. Note: Each of these activities will be detailed in respective CPA's. Once you have completed your individual conference, you will be ready to move on to the final stage of the writing process.

The third phase of the writing process is the Writing phase. At this point, you will be required to convert your Purpose Outline from the Brainstorming phase into a Content Outline using the sources that you found in the Researching phase. During the Content Outline activity, you may realize you need to perform more research to fill in some gaps. This secondary research will need to be completed before we begin workshopping.

You will be given two opportunities to have rough drafts workshopped where your peers will follow step-by-step processes to evaluate your essays and give you feedback. After each of the workshops, you will be given a writing day where you will be expected to collaborate with me on the peer feedback you received and to revise your essay appropriately.

The Writing phase will culminate with you turning in the final draft of your Expository Synthesis via Turnitin.com. Again, all of these activities will be detailed in respective CPA's.

Now that we understand the big picture of the Expository Synthesis module, let's take a look at the specifics of the essay itself.

The following are the basic requirements for the final Expository Synthesis assignment. Details about APA style and formatting as well as what an academic source is will be covered more in-depth later.

Within the Expository Synthesis assignment, the foundational and quintessential elements that will be evaluated are a thesis statement consisting of a claim and reasons; an essay structure including past, present, and future sections; a paragraph structure that includes sub-claims or topic sentences, evidences, discussion and analysis, and transitions; correct mechanics (i.e. grammar & punctuation); and correct style and formatting according to APA standards. Each of these vital elements will be individually discussed in various and multiple instances throughout the course.

The following is a table representing the foundational elements of the Expository Synthesis and their respective grade weights. These percentages directly correspond with the amount of class time that will be utilized to focus on each of these elements.

Overall, we spend more than half of the semester on your Expository Synthesis assignment so do not be anxious.
In all of my efforts, I have put the most time in pacing the course in manageable increments. The key to your success on this assignment will come down to keeping up with each. The biggest disservice you can do for yourself is to fall behind. The more effort you put into keeping up with the rigor of this course, the more likely I am to being able to help you do well on this assignment.

I look forward to working with you through each of the phases of the writing process and I anticipate learning as much from you as you do from me and your peers this semester.