FSCJ Martin Luther Letter and Frederick Douglass Thematic Synthesis Essay – Two pieces below Piece 1: Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr

FSCJ Martin Luther Letter and Frederick Douglass Thematic Synthesis Essay – Two pieces below

Piece 1: Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.

Piece 2: Learning to Read and Write by Frederick Douglass

Purpose: The thematic synthesis essay will be based on two of the pieces students have read thus far in the course. The essay should identify and discuss how the authors convey the themes presented in the two pieces through use of nonfiction elements.

Instructions: First, identify the theme of both pieces. Next, create a comparison chart to explore how both authors use nonfiction elements to convey the theme. Decide whether that use is effective or ineffective. As previously mentioned, students can use the chart as a tool to collect information about both pieces—information that can then be used in the essay.

Introduction: In the first paragraph, identify the titles and authors of the selected essays. The opening paragraph must provide a broad, but accurate, synopsis of the two essays as well as a clearly defined thesis statement. The thematic synthesis essay thesis statement should state the theme and nonfiction elements to discuss in the body paragraphs. Also, the thesis statement should clarify how the nonfiction elements effectively or ineffectively convey the theme.

Body Paragraphs: When comparing and/or contrasting two pieces, students should strive for an organization that helps the reader establish relationships among the information. Two common methods for comparing and/or contrasting items in an essay are block format and point by point. Block format allows students to discuss one piece completely before discussing the other piece.

Conclusion: The closing paragraph should restate the main ideas discussed in the essay but should not repeat the language in the introduction or body paragraphs verbatim. For the writer, the conclusion is the final opportunity to make a lasting impression in the reader’s mind. Keep in mind that a strong conclusion resonates with the reader. Writing about themes, which tend to address broader issues, presents students with a unique opportunity to make a statement or observation about the larger world.

– Six paragraphs minimum

– Write 600-700 words

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Sample block by block format below

Introduction
Body paragraphs
Nonfiction piece A (block 1)
Nonfiction element 1
Nonfiction element 2
Nonfiction element 3
Nonfiction piece B (block 2)
Nonfiction element 1
Nonfiction element 2
Nonfiction element 3
Conclusion

The point-by-point method allows the student to move back and forth between two or three nonfiction elements being compared and/or contrasted, as in the following sample outline.

Introduction
Body paragraphs
Nonfiction element 1 (point 1)
Nonfiction piece A
Nonfiction piece B
Nonfiction element 2 (point 2)
Nonfiction piece A
Nonfiction piece B
Nonfiction element 3 (point 3)
Nonfiction piece A
Nonfiction piece B
Conclusion