Christ and Culture Synthesis Essay
Write a 5 to 6 paragraph synthesis essay, where you will discuss the relationship of Christ and culture, demonstrating your command of the English language, your ability to synthesize numerous texts, and your mastery of appropriate in-text citations. The goal is for you to demonstrate your understanding of several of the works from the reading list and the ability to recognize common themes among them. The focus of this essay is on Christ as the transformer of culture. Discuss some of the ideas you glean from the readings to help you know how to write your paper. The key to writing this paper is to compose a clear thesis statement. This will enable you to write a focused essay that is well-developed and shows an in-depth understanding of the readings. The thesis statement must be written in the third person reflecting your overall position about the topic chosen. The thesis contains your basic stand concerning the topic without the pronouns I, me, my, or you to express that position. The topic which you choose is not a thesis but can be used as the starting point for your thesis. Your introduction should consist of three to five sentences. Your essay has to include the works by Lewis, Bertrand, Smith, and Wolfe for a total of four listed above. You can certainly use information from the other short readings listed above if you wish. A synthesis essay is not just a summary of sources. You do not summarize each of the sources selected and add an introduction and conclusion and call that a synthesis essay. Discuss at least two of your four sources in each paragraph. From each text, find appropriate passages, lines, or words that support the connections and then determine if the exact wording (quoting) or a paraphrase will best communicate the comparison or contrast between the texts (you will need at least one citation from each source discussed in the paragraph; thus, you will need a minimum of two in-text citationseither quotation or paraphrase per body paragraph). You do not need to cite all four texts in each body paragraph, but you must cite a minimum of two texts for each paragraph. 1. The following outline should be used as an example I. Introduction Thesis Statement (included in introduction) II. II. First main point (based on readings) A. Reading #1 B. B. Reading #2 III. Second main point (based on readings) A.Reading #2 B. Reading #3 IV. Third main point (based on readings) A. Reading #1 B. Reading #4 V . Conclusion 2. After composing your thesis, write topic sentences for each of the three paragraphs by determining the three main points of your essay. These are used to support your thesis. 3. After completing the topic sentences, use at least two of the three readings in each paragraph as support for each point you are making in your paper. 4. Your conclusion should emphasize clearly the main point you are attempting to make in your essay. Do not just restate the thesis but use other kinds of conclusions.
