Writing the Synthesis Essay on the AP Lang Exam Created by Megan Pankiewicz, on behalf of The English Teacher’s Friend Fall 2011.

Writing the Writing the SynthesisSynthesis Essay on the AP Lang Essay on the AP Lang ExamExam

Created by Megan Pankiewicz, Created by Megan Pankiewicz,

on behalf of on behalf of The English Teacher’s The English Teacher’s FriendFriend Fall

2011

syn·the·sizesyn·the·size

— — to to combinecombine or or cause to combine into cause to combine into a whole a whole

Requires students to…Requires students to…

Comprehend what they are readingComprehend what they are reading Understand Understand CLAIMSCLAIMS made in each source made in each source Synthesize and cite sources to Synthesize and cite sources to SUPPORTSUPPORT

AN ARGUMENTAN ARGUMENT Consider author’s purpose, audience and Consider author’s purpose, audience and

point of view in documentspoint of view in documents Blend ideas and source material Blend ideas and source material

using own unique “voice” and good using own unique “voice” and good transitionstransitions

““Enter the Enter the Conversation”Conversation”

Prompts allow for multiple opinions and Prompts allow for multiple opinions and nuanced argumentsnuanced arguments

Acknowledge that a debate exists – Acknowledge that a debate exists – must show must show consideration of all consideration of all aspects aspects of issueof issue

Pay Pay very close attention very close attention to to wording of wording of the promptthe prompt and what you are asked to and what you are asked to dodo

TimingTiming

15 min. to read the sources15 min. to read the sources– If you finish reading the sources, but still If you finish reading the sources, but still

have time, create an outline or start writing have time, create an outline or start writing your introduction in the green bookletyour introduction in the green booklet

40 min. to write 40 min. to write (suggested)(suggested) Bottom line: write the synthesis Bottom line: write the synthesis

FIRSTFIRST

Tackle the QuestionTackle the Question

STEP 1:STEP 1: Jot down Jot down your answer your answer to to the prompt – don’t worry, you can the prompt – don’t worry, you can change it later if you need tochange it later if you need to

STEP 2:STEP 2: Read all of the sources. Read all of the sources. Important: Important: annotateannotate as you read as you read each one; use + or – symbolseach one; use + or – symbols

STEP 3:STEP 3: Know your position Know your position before before you begin writingyou begin writing

STEP 4:STEP 4: WriteWrite your essay your essay

Understanding the Understanding the parts of the synthesis parts of the synthesis promptprompt

Reminders. Don’t need to read this paragraph again.

Source list. Don’t need to read this.

Background information. Important to read. Pay attention to context of issue.

MOST IMPORTANT PART. This is where you find out what to do in your essay.

It’s all about the VERBS. Pay careful attention to the VERB PHRASES used in the prompt – this is the key to understanding what they want from your answer.

The SourcesThe Sources

It’s like a research paper - test developers have It’s like a research paper - test developers have “done the research for you”“done the research for you”

Primary SourcesPrimary Sources Secondary SourcesSecondary Sources One visual (picture, cartoon, advertisement, One visual (picture, cartoon, advertisement,

etc.)etc.) 6-8 total - 6-8 total - MUST use THREE provided MUST use THREE provided

sourcessources Suggested, not required to include outside infoSuggested, not required to include outside info Use + or – to mark what side of the argument Use + or – to mark what side of the argument

they fall on (+/- if it’s neutral or qualifies)they fall on (+/- if it’s neutral or qualifies)

Handling CitationHandling Citation

May synthesize through May synthesize through paraphrasingparaphrasing or or direct quotesdirect quotes

Cite Cite ANYANY reference to provided sources reference to provided sources Reference a source Reference a source explicitlyexplicitly (direct (direct

intro)intro) Reference a source Reference a source implicitlyimplicitly (use (use

parenthetical citation)parenthetical citation) Use Use author names OR source letters author names OR source letters

(Hint: easier to use source letters)(Hint: easier to use source letters) Pick a citing format Pick a citing format and stick with itand stick with it

CAUTIONCAUTION

Avoid merely summarizing the Avoid merely summarizing the sourcessources

Avoid analyzing the sources for Avoid analyzing the sources for rhetorical techniquesrhetorical techniques

Important:Important:

YOUR ARGUMENT IS YOUR ARGUMENT IS CENTRAL CENTRAL – THE – THE SOURCES SHOULD SOURCES SHOULD SUPPORTSUPPORT YOUR YOUR ARGUMENT.ARGUMENT.

Follow-up questionsFollow-up questions