Name:
Date:
Class:
Quarter 2 Synthesis IRP
Synthesize—to combine so as to form a more complex product. (The final synthesis/reflection is worth 100 points).
Assignment:
1. Find any young adult book/novel, clear it with the teacher, and read over the course of the quarter.
2. Connect your life to the novel. (You will keep notes in a journal or in the novel if you have bought it yourself.
I recommend a small spiral notebook. These can be purchased at the grocery store for around $1.)
3. Final Synthesis: Compare/contrast in a two-page (exactly) essay the characters, setting, conflict, theme, tone,
mood, or culture from your book to your life.
Book Checks:
 Throughout the quarter, I will be checking thato You have a book
o You have been writing some notes on how this book relates to your life
Final Synthesis/ Reflection Must:
 Be two full pages (no more, no less!), MLA format (which also means 12 point font, Times New Roman,
double spaced, proper header and heading), with proper grammar and mechanics
 Follow the rubric on the back of this paper
 Have solid ideas articulated with clear organization, word choice, and sentence fluency
 Be turned it in on turnitin.com AND hand me a paper copy! NOTE: If you do NOT turn it in to turnitin.com,
you will receive a zero for your IRP. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Due Dates:
Book and Note Checks: Throughout the quarter (10 points each per check)
Final Synthesis Paper: DUE NOVEMBER 30th, 2015!
This is the rubric for your paper. Make sure to follow it to the best of your capability to ensure the best grade you
can achieve.
CONTENT/IDEAS- 2 pages exactly! This shows you have structured and revised your ideas.
20 Specific, illustrative content, clear/strong thesis, sophisticated ideas that are particularly well developed
16 Specific, illustrative ideas, clear thesis
13 Sufficient content
9 Content limited to a listing, repetition of mere sequences or ideas
7 Superficial content 4 Absence of relevant content and/or inadequate length
ORGANIZATION- Does everything flow together? Is your paper logical? Does it all connect?
15 Obviously controlled and/or subtle organization
12 Logical and appropriate organization
10 Appropriate organization
7 Inconsistent organization
5 Confused organization
3 Absence of organization
VOICE/STYLE/TONE- Does who you are as a writer shine through with feelings, thought, and conviction?
20 The writer has effectively chosen a voice and purpose
16 The writing is expressive, engaging and sincere
13 The writing is expressive and purpose clear, but voice is hazy
9 The commitment to the paper is inconsistent
7 The writing provides little sense of involvement or commitment
4 The writing lacks a sense of involvement or commitment
WORD CHOICE- Is your writing enlightening? Do your words capture the essence of what your paper is about?
15 Writer’s voice apparent tone, sentence structure and word choice
12 Precision and variety in sentence structure and word choice
10 Some precision and variety in sentence structure and word choice
7 Limited sentence structure and word choice (many of the same words are repeated)
5 Lack of sentence structure and word choice
3 No apparent control over sentence structure and word choice
SENTENCE FLUENCY/STRUCTURE- What is the rhythm and flow of your paper like? Is it easy to navigate?
15 Effective flow and rhythm in the paper
12 An easy flow and rhythm
10 The writing flows, but connections between paragraphs and sentences are rough
7 The writing tends to be mechanical rather than fluid
5 The paper is mechanical or choppy
3 The paper is difficult to read
CONVENTIONS- Is your paper free of errors? In correct MLA formatting? Have you checked your grammar?
15 No major errors in mechanics, spelling and usage
12 Some mechanical errors and/or usage errors
10 Mechanical and usage errors not severe enough to interfere significantly with the writer’s purpose
7 Repeated weakness in mechanics and usage
5 Mechanical and usage errors that seriously interfere with the writer’s purpose
3 Mechanical and usage errors so severe that writer’s ideas are difficult, if not impossible, to understand
______/100
Extra notes: _______________________________________________________________________________
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