Things Fall Apart Synthesis Essay

To demonstrate your understanding of the themes found in TFA, you will write a synthesis essay exploring issues important to you. The purpose of the assignment is to allow you to find an interesting and relevant angle on the text. You should draw on all of the thinking, questioning, and discussing that we’ve done so far.

What is a synthesis essay? The best way to describe a synthesis essay is to think about cooking. When you cook, you combine ingredients you already have in order to make something new. Similarly, with a synthesis essay, you combine pieces of knowledge or information to make a new argument. This is your opportunity to make new and interesting connections for yourself and for your reader. You’re not just summarizing someone else’s work, and you’re not making something up on your own – you’re combining some existing work in a new way.

The key to your synthesis will be your thesis statement. Your thesis statement simply states the point that you will be making about your topic. Everything in your synthesis will revolve around supporting that thesis. It’s best not to think of your thesis as your opinion, but simply as an observation that you’re trying to make apparent to your reader.

What am I writing about? You have two choices for your synthesis:

(1) Thematic analysis – With this approach, you will compare the way that two themes are approached in TFA. At the outset of the book, we identified four themes: religion and beliefs, change and tradition, fate and destiny, and gender and family structure. You should choose two of these themes and analyze how Achebe treats them in his book. Over the last month or so, I’ve given you some additional information about each of these themes – this is the material you’ll draw from in your analysis. In other words, you’ll be interpreting the book through two thematic lenses. You may use the materials/knowledge I’ve given you or you may research your own supplemental material, but you must synthesize outside information with the novel.

(2) Cultural comparison – With this approach, you will choose one of our four themes, and compare its treatment in TFA with that of another piece of culture. The idea is to compare the ways that two different works can address the same theme. Your cultural comparison may be a book, movie, TV show, piece of music, or any other element of culture – as long as it’s wrestling with the theme you’ve identified. If you choose this approach, you’ll be mixing the insights of Achebe with those of someone else. I’ll work with you to make sure that your cultural comparison is workable.

How will I write this? We’ll break this essay into several parts, each of which will count as a separate grade. Here are the steps (we’ll discuss due dates and grading in class):

Step 1: Identify your approach and topic Step 2: Gather, research, and read (taking notes) Step 3: Write a well-developed thesis statement that will guide your writing (this may change as you continue to work) Step 4: Make a rough outline of your argument and analysis Step 5: Complete a full outline Step 6: Write a rough draft Step 7: Make revisions Step 8: Complete your final draft

During each of these steps, I’ll be conferencing with you to discuss your progress and help you with any questions you might have. You’ll also have more than enough time during class to work on this project, so don’t stress!

What will this look like? Your final essay will be:  4-6 pages double-spaced  12 point font  MLA in text citations (with Works Cited page)

I’m sure that I’m forgetting some information that you’ll need to have. That’s why I’m going to devote some class time to discussing this and answering questions. I will post as much information as possible on the class Wiki, so bookmark it.

Additionally, you can contact me with any questions you might have about this.

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]