Trophic Cascades- Synthesis Essay

If you look up the definition of "synthesize" you will find that it is to "combine (a number of things) into a coherent whole." In contrast, a summary is meant to "give a brief statement of the main points of (something)." For this assignment, ensure you are synthesizing, not summarizing.  You will be weaving together information from different videos, literature, and articles into one piece of writing that covers all of the ideas and themes presented in the videos, literature, and articles. Therefore, instead of breaking down the main points of each video, article, piece of literature into separate paragraphs, find common themes and differences within the videos, literature, and articles and organize them into your synthesis.  It is a good idea to take notes first, then analyze your notes to determine the common themes to organize your thoughts, and then write your synthesis essay.

You are not required to use MLA citations for this assignment.  However keep in mind that the project at the end of the semester will require both synthesis and proper use of MLA style citations.

You will be synthesizing four different sources.  They are all embedded below.  

1) Video- “Planet in Peril”- CNN- Anderson Cooper.  Watch only the ten-minute segment from 29:34 to 39:04 (you will watch the rest during other chapters).
2) Video- “How Wolves Change Rivers”
3) Book Excerpt- Thinking Like a Mountain By Aldo Leopold   

4) Nature Article- Rethinking predators: Legend of the wolf 

On the TOP-right corner of a piece of loose-leaf paper write your name, the class, the period, and the date. On the TOP-left corner of a piece of loose-leaf paper write the name of this assignment "Trophic Cascades- Synthesis Essay". This needs to be in the TOP margin at the top of the paper, not in the lined portion.

Length Requirement: 1-2 pages; length is not as important as substance. 

Due Monday October 26th