The Synthesis Essay

What is the synthesis essay?

The synthesis essay is similar to the argument essay but with provided sources. You will receive a writing task (prompt) followed by sources with different views on the issues embedded within the prompt. It is your task to use at least 3 of these sources in a logical manner to support an argument you present. In a nutshell, the synthesis essay resembles a mini research paper in that you use sources to support a thesis. You will get 15 minutes of reading time followed by 40 minutes to write your essay.

Why does the College Board include this essay?

To demonstrate that you are capable of critically reading and evaluating various sources with different views and turning this “research” into a coherent essay. There will be many times in college where you will be asked to find various types of sources to research a topic and turn this research into a coherent paper and/or presentation.

Tips for Success:

- Even though the prompt asks for you to use a minimum of 3 sources, use more. The key word here is synthesis – putting together different ideas into a coherent whole; however, if you find it difficult to use more than 3 sources, stick to 3 (you don’t want to force evidence into your argument).

- Keep your argument central. This essay is not a summary of sources, but an essay in which you use the sources to support your argument.

- Provide a counterargument. The sources provided offer various points of view, and usually one source will discredit a claim from another source. If you detect such a connection, use it. The readers want to see that you can detect and effectively use the connections across different sources.

- Use evidence to build off of previous points. While one source might be helpful in providing you with a counterargument, others might build off of other sources’ claims and evidence. Again, this is a connection. Use it! - Think of the synthesis as a tying together of threads. Much like in sewing, you use different “threads” to create a final product that makes sense and is coherent.

- Plan and Outline. Before you start writing, take some time to map out your essay so that you

can be sure you have a logical progression of sources and thought. This way you can also ensure that you provide a counterargument.

Sample Prompt (In style of College Board AP Lang prompt): In recent decades, police investigations have relied more and more on DNA evidence and analysis. Through the use of such analysis, technicians create DNA profiles where they can compare samples to detect whether such samples on crime scenes came from the same person; however, DNA analysis is not perfect, and errors have been made that have resulted in wrongful convictions.

Carefully read the sources provided, introductory information included. Next, synthesize information you gather from at least three of the sources and organize such information into a coherent, well-written essay in which you develop a position on how DNA evidence should be used as a part of police investigations and courtroom data.

Your argument should be the focus of your essay. Use the sources to develop your argument and detail the reasoning for it. Avoid merely summarizing the sources. Indicate clearly which sources you are drawing from, whether through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. You may cite the sources as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the descriptions in parenthesis.

Source A (Dylan) Source B (Springsteen and Ronstadt) Source C (Baez) Source D (Petty and Nicks) Source E (Graph) Source F (Photo)

Some important notes: 6) Just like with the argument essay, make sure to read what the prompt is asking you to do

specifically – argue, propose a solution, come to a conclusion on an issue, etc. 7) The key here is synthesis, i.e., taking “separate parts” (your different sources and pieces of

evidence) and weaving them together into an argument. 8) Always, always, provide a counterargument. In fact, it is a good idea to give an opposing

viewpoint from one of the source, then refute that viewpoint with another source. This shows that you can make sense of the sources and find connections.

9) Your position is central. The sources should be used to support your position. 10) If you can, use one of the photos, graphs/visual sources. This can demonstrate your ability to

use different kinds of evidence; however, do not "force evidence” into your argument.

The first paragraph of the prompt provides context centered on the issue and/or topic of the essay

The next paragraph gives you the writing task. Note – you need to use at least three sources, but it’s a good idea to use more. Two per body paragraph is a safe bet.

Emphasis here is on not simply summarizing sources –tie your evidence back to your argument, i.e., how does this specific piece of evidence support your argument?

The last part gives you an overview of the sources and how you can cite them (more on this later). Usually, you will have at least one or two visual texts, such as a photo or graph.

Your Synthesis Essay Prompt

Overview: For this assignment, you and your group members will choose an issue related to the theme of community and then develop a prompt and source materials for an AP Language and Composition synthesis essay. We will then use these prompts for practice. The group that writes the best prompt with the best sources will get out of a timed writing this unit. Steps:

1) Choose an issue. Note, this issue should be controversial, meaning you can argue more than one position. Try to discover an issue you find interesting and compelling and is appropriate for the high school classroom.

2) Research the issue (initial research phase). After get a good feel for the issue and its complexity, draft a prompt (general context and writing assignment) in the style of an AP Synthesis Essay Prompt.

3) Search for relevant, meaningful, and credible sources (formal research phase) that encompass the different sides to the issues. Try to find sources that connect to each other. For example, one source could offer a pro argument while another source offers a counterargument specific to the first source. Make sure not to oversimplify the issue. Consider complexity and keep a balance so that students are able to choose different sides. Select excerpts purposefully. Sources should include, in the order below, the following:

a. 4 articles/journals from reputable websites or newspaper outlets. Do not include the full article, only the excerpts you find meaningful to your prompt. At least one should be from the following link: https://tinyurl.com/aplangsyn

b. 1 letter or other first-person account. c. 1 table or graph d. 1 cartoon or photo

4) Finalize your prompt.

5) Make sure to cite each source on the top of each excerpt and label Source A, Source B, etc.

6) When you finish, type and put the prompt on top with the sources below in the order indicated above. Keep it organized and neat. You must email it to me: melaina.ramos@wjccschools.org by November 5th before midnight.

*** To earn an A, projects must have all of the necessary elements provided, must be typed, neat, and organized. The sources must be relevant, connect to each other (i.e., sourced can be used for counterarguments and building on ideas) and cited properly (MLA Style). The excerpts must be chosen purposefully.

The prompt must provide key details/context for students to familiarize themselves with the issue. The prompt must closely follow the style of an AP Lang essay (as indicated in the previous document).

Initial Group Brainstorming: Select one person as scribe. Discuss potential issues and complete the chart below. When finished, choose one issue and review with me for approval.

Issue Points of View on Issue/Complexity/Sides to Argument

Use the template below to draft your prompt (the final will be typed):

Overview of the issue (1 short to medium-sized paragraph): Directions for the writing task: List of sources (Source A, Source B, etc. with the authors’ last names or short description, eg., “table,” “chart”)

Name: ___________________________________________________ Period: __ Date: ___________

Synthesis Essay Research Sheet

Issue: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Source Title and Type of Source

Details – What are the main arguments and/or key details of this source? What stance does it support? How? How does it connect to the other sources?

Source 1 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.)

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Source 2 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.) _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Source 3 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.) _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Source 4 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.) _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Source 5 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.) _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Source 6 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.) _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Source 7 Title: Type of Source (article, graph, etc.) and outlet (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Pew Research Center, etc.) _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

Review your sources and make sure your group has the necessary components included.

1) Articles/Journals: _____ out of 4

2) Letter: _____ out of 1

3) Table or graph: _______ out of 1

4) Cartoon or photo: _______ out of 1

Check to make sure you have at least one source that provides information for a counterargument – very important! Lastly, decide on the excerpts you will take from these sources.

Use the template below to finalize your prompt. Revise as necessary, then type the final draft.

Overview of the issue (1 short to medium-sized paragraph): Directions for the writing task: List of sources (Source A, Source B, etc. with the authors’ last names or short description, eg., “table,” “chart”)

Source A Citation goes here in MLA format

Provide introductory information/context for your article’s excerpt.

Paste your excerpt here.

Source B Citation goes here in MLA format

Provide introductory information/context for your article’s excerpt.

Paste your excerpt here.

Source C Citation goes here in MLA format

Provide introductory information/context for your article’s excerpt.

Paste your excerpt here.

Source D Citation goes here in MLA format

Provide introductory information/context for your letter/first person account here.

Paste your excerpt here.

Source E Citation goes here in MLA format

Provide introductory information/context for your table/graph.

Paste your graph/table here.

Source F Citation goes here in MLA format

Provide introductory information/context for your photo/political cartoon.

Paste your photo/political cartoon here.