SYNTHESIS ESSAY
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SYNTHESIS ESSAY
See Chapter 3 in
The Language of Composition
for more info.
BASICS
BASICS
15 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 tag
Ex: (Jones) or (Source B)
•
Avoid mere summarizing/paraphrasing
your evaluator knows the gist of
the sources
BASICS
BASICS
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. . .
PROMPT STEMS
PROMPT STEMS
•
ARGUMENTATIVE synthesis
Sources provide various perspectives on a
controversial issue
Students 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 another
2 PROMPT TYPES
2 PROMPT 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. . .
PROMPT STEMS
PROMPT STEMS
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
examine the factors a
group or agency should consider in memorializing an
group or agency should consider in memorializing an
event or person
event or person
and
and
in creating a monument.
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
essay
that argues a clear position on whether the USPS
that argues a clear position on whether the USPS
should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing
should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing
world, and if so, how.
world, and if so, how.
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
examine the factors a group
or agency should consider in memorializing an event or
or agency should consider in memorializing an event or
person
person
and
and
in creating a monument.
in creating a monument.
EXPLANATORY
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
essay that argues a clear position on whether the USPS
should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing
should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing
world, and if so, how.
world, and if so, how.
ARGUMENTATIVE
ARGUMENTATIVE
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.
SOURCE READING
SOURCE READING
Factor 1:Feasibility for Completion
Factor 2:Appropriateness?
Factor 3: Public rxn
Prompt about considerations for monuments/memorials
Prompt about considerations for monuments/memorials
Prompt about cont’d use of daylight saving time
Prompt about cont’d use of daylight saving time
SCORING
SCORING
AP Central does acknowledge that the synthesis essay is similar to the
DBQ.
2003 AP U.S. History DBQ prompt:
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):
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. SYNTHESIS
DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS
But how are they different?
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
DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS
DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS
SAMPLE: 2011 Synthesis Question
Locavores 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.
HOMEWORK
HOMEWORK
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)
HOMEWORK
HOMEWORK
ASSIGNMENT:
•
Read the locavore sources on teacher
webpage
•
Complete the prep sheet/guide
HOMEWORK
HOMEWORK
Learn the essentials of writing a synthesis essay based on Chapter 3 of The Language of Composition. Understand the requirements, sources needed, and key prompts for argumentative and explanatory synthesis. Dive into the nuances of synthesizing information from various sources to develop a coherent essay expressing your perspective.
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Presentation Transcript
See Chapter 3 in The Language of Composition for more info. SYNTHESIS ESSAY
BASICS 15 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. BASICS 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 tag Ex: (Jones) or (Source B) Avoid mere summarizing/paraphrasing your evaluator knows the gist of the sources
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. . . PROMPT STEMS
ARGUMENTATIVE synthesis Sources provide various perspectives on a controversial issue Students 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 another 2 PROMPT 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. . . PROMPT STEMS
SAMPLE PROMPTS Argumentative Or 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. 2013 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. 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 2013 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 2012
Ive ided the prompt type as explanatory or argumentative what next? SOURCE READING 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: Factorsthat 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.
Prompt about considerations for monuments/memorials Factor 1:Feasibility for Completion Factor 2:Appropriateness? Factor 3: Public rxn
DBQ vs. Synthesis DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS 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.
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 vs. SYNTHESIS 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
SAMPLE: 2011 Synthesis Question Locavores 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. HOMEWORK
Sources Provided: Source A (Maiser) (blog) HOMEWORK 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)
ASSIGNMENT: Read the locavore sources on teacher webpage HOMEWORK Complete the prep sheet/guide
