SYNTHESIS ESSAY

See Chapter 3 in The Language of Composition for more info.

BASICS15 minutes to read question and sources,40 minutes to write the essay (AP recommends taking 45 on this one)

The prompt will require that you synthesize sources in order to support your position. AP evaluators point out that this prompt compels students to “enter the conversation” in that they read what others are already saying and then reference those points to develop and demonstrate their own perspective.

Sources: • Expect 6+, ranging from an op-ed to an article excerpt to a

chart/graph, to a political cartoon to an ad to a piece of art• Expect at least one non-textual source• You must reference at least 3 sources in your essay• You MUST CITE YOUR SOURCE (if not, 2 is the

highest grade you can earn)To cite, include in parenthesis either the author’s last

name or just the source tagEx: (Jones) or (Source B)

• Avoid mere summarizing/paraphrasingyour evaluator knows the gist of the sources

BA

SIC

S

AP Prompt Stems for Synthesis Prompts

The actual prompt section begins with “Read the following sources. Then synthesize information from at least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that...”o identifies the key issues associated with . . .

and discusses their implications for . . . o develops a position on the extent to which . . .o evaluates the most important factors that should

be considered when/for/if. . . o evaluates the merits of . . . o develops a position on what issues should be

considered most important in making decisions about...

o argues the extent to which . . .o takes a position on whether or not. . . PR

OM

PT S

TEM

S

• ARGUMENTATIVE synthesisSources provide various perspectives on a

controversial issueStudents must develop position in response to

competing claims• EXPLANATORY synthesis *Note: these are still argumentative in that you as writer make a claim about what’s key/ most important/significant

Sources provide information about different aspects of the topic but not necessarily competing claims

Students must utilize the info to identify common themes or feature of the topic AND examine these in relation to one another2

PR

OM

PT

TYPES

ARGUMENTATIVE vs. EXPLANATORY

o identifies the key issues associated with . . . and discusses their implications for . . .

o develops a position on the extent to which . . .

o evaluates the most important factors that should be considered when/for/if. . .

o evaluates the merits of . . . o develops a position on what issues

should be considered most important in making decisions about...

o argues the extent to which . . .o takes a position on whether or

not. . .

PR

OM

PT S

TEM

S

SAMPLEPROMPTS

ArgumentativeOr

Explanatory?

The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument’s size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past. Read the following seven sources carefully, including the introductory information for each source. Then, in a well-organized essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support, examine the factors a group or agency should consider in memorializing an event or person and in creating a monument.

Context is first provided about the USPS and how it’s mail volume has decreased over the past decade (email, other delivery companies), leading to cutbacks on delivery days and other services.Carefully read the following seven sources, including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize information from at least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that argues a clear position on whether the USPS should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing world, and if so, how.

2013

2012

The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument’s size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past. Read the following seven sources carefully, including the introductory information for each source. Then, in a well-organized essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support,

examine the factors a group or agency should consider in memorializing an event or person and in creating a monument.

EXPLANATORY

Context is first provided about the USPS and how it’s mail volume has decreased over the past decade (email, other delivery companies), leading to cutbacks on delivery days and other services.Carefully read the following seven sources, including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize information from at least three of the sources and

incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that argues a clear position on whether the USPS should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing world, and if so, how.

ARGUMENTATIVE

2013

2012

Within the 15 minute reading period, you will be able to process the sources. As you read, I recommend noting what the prompt asks you to do and then note:

• Factors that speak to considerations to be made regarding how an issue should be addressed (maybe just number them in the margins with a quick categorization note, like we practiced with zombies)

• Indicating (maybe with a + , - for pro, con) regarding information you could utilize to develop/support a position. Definitely mark the source overall regarding whether it will be useful for pro or con.

I’ve id’ed the prompt type as explanatory or argumentative —

what next?

SO

UR

CE R

EA

DIN

G

Factor 1:Feasibility for Completion

Factor 2:Appropriateness?

Factor 3: Public rxn

Prompt about considerations for monuments/memorials

Prompt about cont’d use of daylight saving time

-

-

-

SC

OR

ING

AP Central does acknowledge that the synthesis essay is similar to the DBQ.

2003 AP U.S. History DBQ prompt:Analyze the responses of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration to the problems of the Great Depression. How effective were these responses? How did they change the role of the federal government? Use the documents and your knowledge of the period 1929-1941 to construct your essay.

2007 synthesis prompt (first one ever):That advertising plays a huge role in society is readily apparent to anyone who watches television, listens to radio, reads newspapers, uses the Internet, or simply looks at billboards on streets and buses. Advertising has fierce critics as well as staunch advocates. Critics claim that advertisement is propaganda, while advocates counter that advertising fosters free trade and promotes prosperity…Read the sources…and write an essay in which you develop a position on the effects of advertising.

DBQ vs. SynthesisD

BQ

vs.

SYN

TH

ES

IS

But how are they different?• DBQ evaluates content knowledge, whereas

the synthesis question requires several skills: evaluation of sources, integration of sources, and written expression. The synthesis question is not designed to assess a content-driven body of knowledge

• DBQ privileges primary sources so the students develop a “historical voice” whereas synthesis questions allow for an opinion

• DBQ requires outside information, whereas the synthesis doesn’t require outside info (though some integration of it to supplement your thesis is okay)

• DBQ requires usage of at least half the documents provided whereas the synthesis requires reference to at least three

DB

Q v

s. S

YN

TH

ES

IS

SAMPLE: 2011 Synthesis QuestionLocavores are people who have decided to eat

locally grown or produced products as much as possible. With an eye to nutrition as well as sustainability (resource use that preserves the environment), the locavore movement has become widespread over the past decade.

Imagine that a community is considering organizing a locavore movement. Carefully read the following seven sources, including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize information from at least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that identifies the key issues associated with the locavore movement and examines their implications for the community.

Make sure that your argument is central; use the sources to illustrate and support your reasoning. 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 parentheses.

HO

MEW

OR

K

Sources Provided:

• Source A (Maiser) (blog)

• Source B (Smith and MacKinnon)

(book excerpt)

• Source C (McWilliams) (opinion)

• Source D (chart)

• Source E (Gogoi) (online article)

• Source F (Roberts) (book)

• Source G (cartoon)

HO

MEW

OR

K

ASSIGNMENT:

• Read the locavore sources on teacher webpage

• Complete the prep sheet/guide

HO

MEW

OR

K