Review: Synthesizing Three Sources

Apply thesis identification, comparison, and synthesis to three short sources on one question.

Practice with three original sources on whether high schools should require a course in personal finance. Source A, an economist's article, argues that such courses improve saving habits, citing a study of several states. Source B, a teacher's essay, agrees the skills matter but warns that adding a required course crowds out electives like music. Source C, a student survey, finds that most students want the course but prefer it as an elective.

Step one, theses: A supports a requirement; B values the content but questions the requirement; C supports the content and favors choice. Step two, common ground: all three agree financial skills are valuable. Step three, disagreement type: mostly about values and method, not facts; the dispute is how to deliver the skills, not whether they matter.

Step four, synthesis statement: 'Although the sources agree financial literacy is valuable, they suggest that the key question is not whether to teach it but how, balancing measurable benefits against students' freedom to choose their courses. '

• 1Identify each source's thesis precisely.
• 2Name common ground, then the type of disagreement.
• 3Write a synthesis statement that reframes the question.