Writing the Synthesis Essay on

the AP English

Language Test

15 Minute Reading Period

1) Read the prompt2) Determine your thesis 3) Annotate the sources

Yes, you get to keep the sources during the writing of the essay.

Two Hours to Write Three Essays

You will have two hours to write the three kinds of essays: synthesis, argument, and rhetorical analysis.

You decide how long to invest in each essay.

You decide what order to write the essays.

Two Hours to Write Three Essays

Many prefer to write the synthesis essay first because the sources will be fresh in their minds.

You must use at least three of the sources to support your ideas in the synthesis essay.

Two Hours to Write Three Essays

Accurate, source-based; paraphrase/summarize sources ideas

Organized so readers see where the information from the sources overlap

Helps reader understand sources in greater depth.

The synthesis essay requires you to . . .

① Analyze = break sources down into their parts

② Synthesize = put together parts from at least three sources in a new way to support your thesis, argument, and counterargument

You must make connections with sources and personal observations to support your stand on the issue.

You must understand how to use a variety of sources including non-print text (pictures, etc.)

You will use this “synthesis” to support your thesis.

How is this done?

Writer Uses quotes or phrases to extract

key information. Demonstrates understanding in

using the quotes or phrases. Uses the quotes to support his/her

opinion/position. Cites sources because a writer

NEVER wants to plagiarize.

Remember!

Synthesis is not merely incorporating sources.

Synthesis is combining information from other sources with your opinion!

So, how do you do it?

Essay must be thesis driven, so form a thesis based on the prompt.

Use your prewriting time to jot down ideas that support your thesis.

Highlight information in the sources that support your thesis so you can find them later. (Remember annotating text? Mark it up! Make comments as you read!)

So, how do I do it?

Draw on 3 or more sources. Use different phrases and sentences

to support a central idea - use these as your quotes.

Only 1 text -- baaad!

3 or moretexts -- goood!

So, how do I do it?

Make connections among the sources - make sense of the sources so the reader has better understanding.

Make further connections through personal observations and/or theories that relate to the information from the sources.

Think of your connections as branches on a tree. Where do the ideas overlap?