Darlene's Synthesis Table Example

Questions:

1.)  Can we put in our own personal experience or the personal experience of someone we know?

• Yes, but you or someone you know cannot be used as one of the "sources" unless you have written material, such as someone's journals or the written transcript of an interview, etc.

2.)  Where can we put in our own personal experience or the personal experience of someone we know?

• Wherever it is most appropriate, meaningful, helpful to your essay.  A personal anecdote might make a good introduction.  It might make a good conclusion.  And/or, you could include personal information throughout your essay, blending it with your sources, or using it to "comment on" your sources, or using it to provide background information or "common knowledge" about the condition, treatments, etc.

3.)  It's hard finding sources for this paper; is it going to be this hard for the next paper?

• This assignment has been used twice before, and in both previous instances, writers haven't had the amount of trouble finding sources that some of us seem to be having.  (Or, they weren't as vocal about it.)  And, they were finding sources of 4+ pages.
   
• I'm especially concerned when sources aren't being found for more common conditions like HIV-AIDS, schizophrenia, and alcoholism -- especially since I've had papers on topics like this before.
   
• One trouble-spot might be the search terms we're using.  I've suggested some (see a previous web page) but remember to BRAINSTORM.  For example, you might need to use "stories" instead of, or in addition to, "narratives."  And, some people have said they've been using search "phrases" -- e.g. "people who suffer from schizophrenia" -- but phrases like this might not be as effective as just using keywords and/or combination of keywords.  And, try different searches using different keywords and/or combinations.  I tried "Alcoholism and Personal Stories" on GOOGLE and didn't get much, but when I tried "Alcoholism Alcoholic Alcoholics Personal Narratives OR Stories" I think I got some better hits.
   
• As for the next paper: I think it's going to be easier for you to find sources for the next paper, but what I'm going to ask you to do with the sources will be more difficult (hopefully).  For this paper, it's seeming to be hard to find sources, but what I'm asking you to do with the sources (synthesis through comparison and contrast) is fairly straightforward.