Synthesis Essay Assignment

 In a synthesis essay—2 full pages, respond to one of questions below. Then, make a strong,
arguable claim about which ONE side if the argument you stand (don’t ride the fence).
 Make an argument about which one we are more surrounded by using the evidence provided you.
 Avoid mere summary—use analysis and paragraph development skills.
 Choose from the SEVEN synthesis essay options below.
 Then, select at least 3 of the following sources (keep track of evidence that helps develop an
argument for our synthesis question.

Options
Are Creativity and Imagination Important?
Can Cultural Lines be Crossed in Costume?
How Does #hashtag Create Social Change?
Does Greed or Generosity Define the Holidays?
Is It Ever Okay to Fail?
Is True Love Fantasy or Destiny?
What is Happiness? Is it important?

Distinguished Proficient Basic Below Basic Missing

Makes a compelling, The paper introduces a The paper has a
The paper contains an
clear claim. Structure precise claim and has structure and
unclear or emerging The paper is missing a
and organization is organization that is organization that is
claim that suggests a claim or takes a vague
Claim carefully crafted to aligned with the claim aligned with the
vague position. It may stance. The claim may
support claim (thesis). (thesis). It is the last claim. It may be lost
be misplaced in the not be argumentative.
It is the last sentence sentence of the or misplaced in the
introduction.
of the introduction. introduction. introduction.
The paragraph is The paragraph purpose
First sentence The first sentence The argument of the
unclear sentence. It is is unclear or non-
Body establishes the establishes the paragraph is evident
followed by evidence existent. The
Paragraphs paragraph argument paragraph argument, but, evidence that may
that may not be paragraph does not
(x3) followed by strong, but evidence lacks not be deep or well
introduced properly contain evidence and
and relevant evidence. depth and strength analyzed..
and has weak analysis. is merely summary.
A linking statement A linking statement A linking statement is
Unable to relate the
evidence returns to overall claim returns to the overall attempted, but not The information is
evidence to the thesis
connections of paper, answering claim, answering the clearly linking the difficult to link to the.
statement.
the question, so what? question, so what? evidence to the claim.
Contains an
Flows smoothly with Flows with an Argument is missing
introduction
compelling interesting big pieces, such as a
paragraph, transitions The paper does not
introduction, introduction, body paragraph or
into the body connect back to the
Cohesion transitions smoothly to transitions smoothly to conclusion. The paper
paragraphs, and ends claim. It is incomplete
the body paragraphs, the body paragraphs, does not feel “whole”,
with a conclusion, but and unfinished.
and ends with thought- and ends with instead, it feels
they may not all
provoking conclusion. thoughtful conclusion. fragmented.
enhance the argument.
Grammar / punctuation Most grammar and Mistakes in English
Mistakes in grammar Mistakes in grammar
are used correctly and punctuation are grammar and
Style & and punctuation are and punctuation are
without major correct. Erros do not punctuation are
Conventions frequent and elementary and
distraction to the affect the quality of frequent and
elementary. completely distract.
reader. the argument. distracting.
All MLA guidelines Most MLA guidelines Some important MLA Many MLA MLA guidelines are
MLA
are correctly followed. are correct. guidelines are ignored. guidelines are ignored. ignored.
 What is “happiness”—why is it important?
No matter how modern our society becomes, no matter how many new ways there are of staying in touch and
maintaining relationships, it seems like happiness is just as possible as it is impossible. Some say that happiness is
a necessary force that drives people to work harder and live longer. Others say that there are much more important
things to be done in this world than chase an elusive, unimportant state of mind.
According to the articles and readings provided, define “happiness” and argue, is happiness
important?
Source #1: “Is Happiness Actually Important?” from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley
Dr. Christine Carter discusses benefits to happiness well beyond our superficial understanding. From
relationships to success in work, Dr. Carter explores several components of happiness’ role in our lives.
 Source #2: “Why Does Happiness Matter?” from The Guardian
This article defines “happiness” and then scientifically analyzes its importance. According to The Guardian,
students at schools that foster positive school climate do better overall on testing and grades.
 Source #3: “Studying Human Happiness” from Sonja Lyubomirsky
Lyubomirsky’s research “…has been devoted to studying human happiness.…In short, because most people
believe that happiness is meaningful, desirable, and an important, worthy goal, because happiness is one of the
most salient and significant dimensions of human experience and emotional life, because happiness yields
numerous rewards for the individual, and because it makes for a better, healthier, stronger society.”
 Source #4: “Why Chasing After Happiness is Making You Unhappy” from Fast Company
Jane Porter argues, “Strive for unrealistic or vague goals and you’ll have a greater likelihood of being
disappointed.” In her article, Porter shows how happiness might not be all it’s cracked up to be.
 Source #5: “The Surprising Science of Happiness” by Dan Gilbert (TED Talk)
Gilbert, Stumbling on Happiness author, challenges the idea that we'll be miserable if we don't get what we
want. Our "psychological immune system" lets us feel truly happy even when things don't go as planned.”
 Source #6: “An Experiment in Gratitude” from Soul Pancake
The creative team at Soul Pancake takes a research study that claims gratitude is the key component to
happiness and acts out an experiment to test this theory.
 Source #7: “Social Media and Happiness: The Unfortunate Truth” by Kulraj
A stunning and long article (also available in .pdf) that takes a look at the confusing intricacies of how we may
be confusing happiness with social media attention - especially our teenagers.
 Source #8: “What Stops Us from Being Happy?” from ProjectHappiness
There are many luxuries that make our lives enjoyable. But no matter how many inventions come out or what
technology appears, it seems it’s still possible to be unhappy. This article explores the conundrum.
 Source #9: “Happiness Isn’t Real” from Josh Emberson
This is a quick blog post from an ordinary guy. This would make a great mentor text or writing prompt to use
in this mini unit: the author begins with a story and ends with a definition of happiness.
 Source #10: “Are You Living An Insta-Lie?” a video from Ditch the Label
The video depicts the differences between an online “social” life and reality. It’s clear in the video that people
are trying very hard to look happy, while in reality they’re not very happy at all.
 Are creativity and imagination still important?
To some, creativity just means EXTRA GLITTER. To others, creativity is a solution to the biggest crises we face
on planet earth: from famine, to global warming, to poverty. Still, however, many schools and individuals do not
value creativity or prioritize chances for students to be in touch with their imaginations. Creativity and
imagination can oftentimes be viewed as childish.

According to the articles and readings provided, are creativity and imagination still
important?
 Source #1: “A Creative Life is a Healthy Life” CNN.com
As it turns out, creativity is a critical component to mental AND physical health in human beings. Creativity
means we are listening to ourselves and eliminating distractions - something that continues the 21st century.

 Source #2: “Why creativity is not enough to succeed without innovation” by Innovation Leadership Forum
Take a look at how creativity itself cannot be forced, but can be taught, and is essential in driving
innovation. This article differentiates creativity and innovation.

 Source #3: “The Importance of Creativity” {Video} by the Children’s Creativity Museum
In this beautiful typography video, explore how creativity is important to America’s future and what can be
done to spark it in our children.

 Source #4: “Creativity in advertising: when it works and when it doesn’t” by The Harvard Business Review
Creativity in advertising is certainly memorable and essential to building a brand, but is it actually helping
businesses sell their product?

 Source #5: “How Creative is Your Doctor?” from The New York Times
This article takes a fascinating look at the medical field as it moves away from creative problem solving toward
more standardized procedures.

 Source #6: Song Airlines Commercial

In the early 2000s, Delta airlines dipped its toes in the budget airline business. The reason it failed? Many say
it was their “too creative” advertising approach. Check out the first commercial and the Frontline Article here!

 Source #7: Forbes 2016 Most Innovative Companies {Video}

Take a look at some of the most creative (innovative) companies out there, including electric car maker
Tesla. You might also consider a quick debate about creativity vs innovation...are they the same thing?

 Source #8: We Need Creativity To Survive. So Why Are We So Suspicious Of It? from The Huffington Post
Check out this research study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania about people’s reactions to creative
problem solving.

 Source #9: Do Schools Kill Creativity? {Video} By Sir Ken Robinson

This famous TedTalk argues that schools are destroying creative outlets and pathways for students to follow
their passions. A great watch for both students and teachers alike.

 Source #10: My Husband is Too Creative to Work on Salon.com

Read a letter from a wife of a husband that refuses to take a 9-5 job, and in the meantime, they’re about to lose
their house. Maybe “creative” jobs really won’t hack it in our society...
 To what extent can cultural lines be crossed in costume?
From college campuses to elementary school costume contests, selecting a culturally appropriate Halloween (or
otherwise) costume has created many controversial headlines in recent years. Many argue strongly that certain
costumes depicting characters and people from races and cultures other than one’s own can be highly offensive,
while others argue that Halloween is a time to express free speech and purposefully explore people and characters
that are not like you.

According to the articles and readings provided, to what extent can cultural lines be
crossed in costume?
 Source #1: “Should Halloween costumes cross racial lines?” from BlackAmerica Web
A white dad’s son wants to dress up as Black Panther. Disney pulls their brown skinned, tattooed Maui
costume. This article explores the problems and considerations in dressing up “in someone else’s skin”.

 Source #2: “Americans Can’t Seem to Kick their Racist Costume Habit” from The Atlantic
Colleges warn students every Halloween not to wear inappropriate or offensive costumes, but they struggle to
prevent the incidents. Most students report that they “didn’t know what they were doing was wrong”.

 Source #3: “I Am Not a Costume” from Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG)
The LSPIRG has put together a campaign with information, pictures, and suggestions for discussing how and
why a costume may cross inappropriate cultural lines. (comes with more linked/suggested articles)

 Source #4: “Open Letter to the PocaHotties and Indian Warriors this Halloween” from Native Appropriation
This open letter details why dressing up in a headdress or any other stereotypical Native American clothing for
Halloween is personally offensive to this writer (she discusses positions of power and additional articles).

 Source #5: “Stop Being so Sensitive - It’s Only a Halloween Costume” Jim Norton in TIME magazine
The author details the ways in which Americans have gotten too caught up in being offended by Halloween
costumes. He argues that American should be allowed to experience “being offended”.

 Source #6: “The New Intolerance of Student Activism” by Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic
The Yale University campus takes up the debate on costumes and appropriate levels of censorship. This article
discusses civil discourse and the issue of censorship.

 Source #7: “Meet the ‘Manny Granny’: Halloween Drag or Transphobic?” Samantha Allen of The Daily Beast
The author looks at a discontinued costume from Walmart and discusses the idea of dressing in drag. It has
been done for centuries, but now it’s taking on a whole new meaning.

 Source #8: “Wearing Racist Halloween Costumes Was Never OK, But In 2018 It's An Even Bigger Issue”
By Azucena Rasilla from Bustle, this article tackles the major issues facing Latino-based and immigrant-
focused costumes in the political climate of 2018.

 Source #9: “Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation” by CBC Radio (via YouTube)
This YouTube video walks listeners through the differences between appropriation and appreciation of
cultures. This applies to Halloween costumes, but extends into other occasions that this occurs, too.

 Source #10: 'Moana' Star Says It's 'Totally Appropriate' for Kids to Dress Up as Her Character for Halloween
Dressing up as a character may offer some solutions in the grey area between offensive cultural appropriation
and excitement to celebrate a fictional heroine.
 Does a #hashtag create real social change?
From tragedy to political unrest, our world has been bombarded with events and issues worth our attention. One of
the ways we share information, pass along condolences, and raise awareness is through what’s been nicknamed
“hashtag activism.” After a shooter murdered dozens of people in Las Vegas, the hashtag #PrayforVegas instantly
went viral. Women across the world have spoken out about abuse using #MeToo. But are these hashtags just
shallow ways of connecting in a digital world, or are they transformative weapons for change?
According to the articles and readings provided, does a #hashtag create real social change?
 Source #1: “The Movement of #MeToo: How a Hashtag Got its Power”
In this quick article from Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic, provides a timeline of how the hashtag movement of
#MeToo began. It highlights the major players and how it was jump started on Twitter, then moved to Facebook.
 Source #2: After Charlottesville, #ThisIsNotUS Hashtag Shows An America Fed-Up And Frustrated
By Dominique Mosbergen of The Huffington Post, this article explores the rhetoric of a hashtag that emerged
after the Charlottesville protests, suggesting that #ThisIsNotUs “deines” America’s difficult, but real past.
 Source #3: “Thank You, Scott” a skit from SNL
WARNING: Satirical skit uses humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, bad, etc. (Satire is
humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc. Merriam-Webster).
Scott—the guy on the couch who “shared” a political post and changed his status to #blacklivesmatter. He’s
making a difference without ever leaving his house!
 Source #4: The #MeToo Movement Shows It’s More Than Just a Hashtag Erin Gloria Ryan of The Daily Beast
This article acknowledges the huge potential for a hashtag movement to fail and be forgotten, but describes how
#MeToo is different from any hashtag campaign that came before it.
 Source #5: “A hashtag is not a movement” a YouTube clip
Shonda Rhimes’ commencement address at Dartmouth College And if you’d like, here’s an article from their
school blog that digs a little big deeper into the idea.
 Source #6: Social Media as a Formidable Force for Change by Ritu Sharma of The Huffington Post
Ms. Sharma makes a compelling case in this article supporting the use of hashtags for creating social
change. She highlights some successful campaigns and suggest a few reasons why hashtags can be so powerful.
 Source #7: Hashtag Activism, and its Limits from the New York Times
This an overview of the #hastag debate states, “Hitting the favorite button on the first episode of “Mad Men” is a
remarkably different gesture than expressing digital solidarity with kidnapped children in Africa, but it all sort of
looks the same at the keyboard.” This is a more demanding article because of content and vocabulary concerned.
 Source #8: “Gun Control Now” Consumes Twitter
This article demonstrates how #PrayforVegas became #guncontrolnow. It’s an interesting perspective on how a
popular hashtag transformed into an outcry for political change.
 Source #9: Twitter Chat: Can hashtag activism have real impact? From the PBS Newshour
This PBS Newshour Twitter chat asked participants to weigh in about the effectiveness of hashtag activism. This
article will give students real Tweets to read with a huge variety of opinions.

 Source #10: Hashtag Activism Is Fleeting by Nick Donias of The Baltimore Sun
Donias takes an extreme stance against the use of hashtags to create social change. He states in his concluding
sentence: “Hashtag activism and trending language is not sustainable. It's exclusive, fleeting and meaningless.
Real action is what matters. So instead of "staying woke," you might try getting up — and involved.”

Does greed or generosity define the holiday season?

The narrative of “the holidays” is wide reaching: we see Cheerio commercials remind us of time spend with loved
ones, kids screaming at toy stores begging for the latest new trending gadget and among all of this noise, we see
real people connecting with one another and traditions bonding families together in genuine ways.
According to the articles and readings provided, Does greed or generosity define the holiday
season?
 Source #1: Jimmy Kimmel YouTube Challenge - I Gave My Kids a Terrible Present
Watch in horror and/or amusement as kids receive terrible, rotten gifts for Christmas. You might use these
videos to get the debate started!

 Source #2: The CAF World Giving Index: Which Countries are the Most Charitable?
Did you know there’s an organization that measures generosity? Enter: the CAF World Giving Index. Here’s a
report, a map, and a video that ranks countries by their giving. And here’s a hint -- the US is NOT #1...

 Source #3: The Huffington Post: Boot-Buying NYPD Cop Larry DePrimo: 'I Had To Help' Homeless Man
Students will read about an NYPD officer who extended a generous hand to a homeless man in his city. This
article discusses how generosity created viral fame and showcases the unselfishness of one unique individual.

 Source #4: Cheerios: Christmas commercial

This commercial is a rhetorical analysis: An elderly grandmother is home for the holidays with her grandson
telling him the story of how their lives may be separated by distance, but at the holidays, they are close
together. The narrative is told using Cheerios. How is the ad using the product to fulfill an emotional need?

 Source #5: Chicago Tribune: Is Black Friday Dying?

This article features the company REI and their campaign to #optoutside and stay closed on Black Friday. The
article discusses a brief history of Black Friday and whether or not the craze will continue.

 Source #6: Salon.com: Consumerism Minus Civilization

This takes on the greed of Black Friday. It states, “But there's also a point where healthy consumerism becomes
out-of-control marketing-driven commodity fetishism”. Consider tone and bias when determining meaning.

 Source #7: Coca Cola: Christmas Commercial

Similar to the Cheerios Commercial, this is another major brand focusing marketing strategy on kindness and
generosity. Is humanity showcased as kind and generous, or is Coke exploiting human emotion ?

 Source #8: The Mulberry Miracle: Handbag vs. Jesus Commercial

In this commercial, a woman receives a handbag as a gift. Soon after, visitors come to “hold the baby,” much
like in the nativity story. This offers room for critique of materialism and a great opportunity to discuss irony.

 Source #9: Why Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher aren’t giving their kids Christmas gifts: A step away from greed?
In this article from the New York Daily News, students will hear about two famous actors who have taken a
public stance on gift giving and their parenting philosophy of “less is more.”

 Source #10: FORTUNE: Corporate holiday charity? All part of the PR plan
While corporations might be making sizable donations to charity this holiday season, this article argues that not
all donations are purely made out of sentiment. In fact, the author argues that charity for big business is a
marketing and PR move that’s more about showing off than about actually giving back.

Is it ever okay to fail?

The American media presents highly conflicting views of failure. Failure is used as plot twist for delayed, great
success. Failure is also seen as unacceptable in the eyes of parents, bosses, and teachers. There has to be a way to
discuss the real benefits and hindrances of failure, so we’re asking you.
According to the articles and readings provided, Is it ever okay to fail or accept failure?
 Source #1: “When ‘Failure is OK’ is Not Ok”
“As a society, we increasingly say "Failure is OK" or "Failure is essential to success." But in normalizing failure,
we ignore the fact that failure affects people differently. Who is allowed to fail — and who isn’t”
 Source #2: Why I Dropped Out of College and Why It’s Okay to Fail
“[E]veryone on social media only shows you what they want you to see…So if you never see negative images
from other people, you start to compare your average life to someone’s highlight reel. That’s toxic and self-
destructive. But why?”
 Source #3: Schools tell students and their parent’s it’s okay to fail
With schools focused on accountability and achievement, educators are taking a look at what it means to
succeed. Some experts say. "Failure is an impactful and sometimes requisite step to realize great success."
 Source #4: What I learned from 100 days of rejection
Jia Jiang adventures into a territory so many of us fear: rejection. By seeking out rejection for 100 days…he
discovered that among rejection, there was value you in simply asking for what you want.
 Source #5: 5 Signs the U.S. is Failing to Protect Women’s Rights in the Workplace
The Prime Minister of Morocco recently compared women to “lanterns,” saying “when women went to work
outside, the light went out of their homes.” (This is counter to Morocco’s guaranteed rights for women.)
 Source #6: A Climb Out of Depression, Doubt and Academic Failure
Varsha Srivastava, 20, appeared to have the perfect experience at Boston University. She worked on a
campus podcast, was a swim instructor, and played club water polo. But emotionally, she was falling apart.
 Source #7: Why I Teach My Kids to Fail a TED Talk by Jim Hershaw
“Failure, struggle and setbacks are not only an inevitable part of life but a necessary part of the path to
success…Hershaw relates [his] powerful lessons of failure, struggle and setback to empower his audiences
to overcome their own challenges and achieve success despite their inevitable failures.”
 Source #8: “The agony of defeat: How Olympians can deal with failure”
“It’s been said there’s nothing worse than finishing fourth at the Olympics…. But behind those who take
gold, silver or bronze are stories of personal failures and setbacks for the athletes who never make it to the
medal podium.”
 Source #9: Why Learning From Failure Is Overrated
“…the startup scene is permeated with a belief that risk taking is required for significant success and that
leaps and gambles necessarily breed failure. Stumbles are not only unavoidable, the standard thinking goes,
but viewed in the right light, they can actually be beneficial--failure, according to the conventional wisdom,
is an amazing educator and a shortcut to learning essential lessons for startup success.”
 Source #10: 7 Lessons on Failure You Can Learn From Top Athletes
What’s the secret to success? You could say hard work or dedication or even a positive attitude. But the real
secret? Failure. Your past failures are directly related to your future success. Without them, you may not be
motivated enough to reach your goals. A 2015 study in which the researchers interviewed Olympic gold
medalists found that many of those athletes considered setbacks essential to their gold medal wins.

Is true love fantasy or destiny?

Love has been the subject of storytellers from Dr. Seuss to Shakespeare. It’s across every channel on TV, in
almost every book you’ve read in high school, and it haunts the high school hallways with question marks every
single day. When it comes down to it, we must come to terms with the idea of “true love”.
According to the articles and readings provided, is the idea of “true love” simply a fantasy or
something we are destined to find?
 Source #1: “The Proof that We are Soulmates”
A wonderfully cheesy YouTube animated video based off a statistical analysis infographic about the probability
of finding a soulmate.

 Source #2: “Valentine’s Day is Not the Problem” by Ryan Kearney of New Republic magazine.
WARNING: This article may be found offense or unacceptable to some readers. It is a blunt look questioning
the love itself where he begins with the posit that, “Evolutionary psychologists theorize that it was a survival tool
that promoted interdependence and parental responsibility while also limiting exposure to STDs.”

 Source #3: “There is No Such Thing as Everlasting Love (According to Science) by Emily Esfahani Smith
A scientific look at how love, or what we think is love, is actually working in our body chemistry.

 Source #4: True Love Story: The Life of Don and Maxine Simpson by ABC News
A news report about a couple that define true love and died side by side within four hours of each other.

 Source #5: The Definition of True Love by Jayson Gaddis

This video is intended for a mature audience. Jayson Gaddis is the author of a blog that helps couples experience
successful long term relationship with some serious pieces of advice and definitions worth examining.

 Source #6: Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave by Leslie Morgan Steiner
All across the world there are relationships where love is misconstrued. Morgan-Steiner gives a thoughtful
TedTalk discussing the difficulty of confusing love, commitment, and forgiving an abuser.

 Source #7: P.S. I Love You or this Trailer

After Holly’s husband dies from a short-term battle with cancer, she finds out that he planned a series of letters
that will come to her one at a time.

 Source #8: What is Love? Five Theories on the Greatest Emotion of All by Jim Al-Khalili, Philippa Perry,
Julian Baggini, Jojo Moyes and Catherine Wybourne of The Guardian
Five different influential thinkers give their take on true love: a philosopher, a nun, a romantic novelist, a
physicist, and a psychotherapist.

 Source #9: Extra Gum: The Story of Sara and Juan

This is either the most romantic commercial you’ve ever seen or something that will make you scoff at the idea
that gum could ever create such a love story.

 Source #10: 36 Questions That Make Strangers Fall in Love

The LAB takes this study and puts strangers in front of each other with 36 questions to test the theory!