SYNTHESIS
An Introduction
What is a synthesis?

Discuss with your group.
 Be
prepared to share your answers.
A Synthesis is…


A true synthesis = combining ideas from two
different texts
You can be asked to compare based on:
 Character
 Theme
 Tone
 Etc.
What makes a strong synthesis?

Discuss with your group.
 Be
prepared to share your answers.
The Hardest Part

The synthesis section is the hardest part of the exam

It is worth 47% of the entire exam!
 17
% -- multiple choice
 30% -- essay

You should devote 1hr and 25 min to the synthesis
section (multiple choice and essay)
Part B and C: The Synthesis



You will be asked to read two texts and answer
multiple choice questions about each (14 in total)
There will be 2 multiple choice questions (about both
texts together)
There will be one written response (synthesis essay)
 You
will need to discuss both texts
5 Types of Questions on the Exam





1. Compare/ Contrast
2. How would character X respond to character Y
3. Who is the better ….
4. Discuss similarities between X and Y
5. Assess (to what extent)
Compare/Contrast

Contrast the relationships that the father in
“Wordsmith” and Sam Sing in “The Gold Mountain
Coat” have with their children. You must refer to
both passages in your essay.
Character X vs. Character Y

Discuss the ways in which Hap, the dairy farmer in
“The Soul of Capitalism,” would likely respond to
Warhol’s art as described in “When Canada Met
Andy.” You must refer to both passages in your
essay.
Who is better…

Which character Erik Weihenmayer in “Blindly He
Goes…Up” or Uncle Jim in “Versabraille” is the
better explorer. You must refer to both passages in
your essay.
Discuss similarities …

Discuss the qualities that Erik Weihenmayer in
“Blindly He Goes…Up” and Uncle Jim in
“Versabraille” share in facing their challenges. You
must refer to both passages in your essay.
Assess

Assess the role that optimism plays in the lives of
Jenny in “Circus in Town” and Chris Gardner in “
‘Happyness’ for Sale.” You must refer to both
passages in your response.
Breaking down the question




Discuss irony in the stories “The Lottery” and “The Cask
of Amontillado.”
Discuss = key verb
Irony = key words
“Discuss” — the key verb tells you how to structure
your essay.

For example, discuss means to present various points of
view on the specified topic.
Practice Task

Practice identifying the key verbs and words in
each question
Method of comparison

Avoid block method of
comparison
 Ex.

A + B = AB
This is not a synthesis!

Use point by point
comparison
 Ex.
1AB, 2AB, 3AB
Method of Comparison

Block Method

Para 1 apples




Comparing both pears
and apples
Para 1


Everything about pears
Para 3 both

Point by Point Method
Everything about apples
Para 2 pears


Para 2


Apples and pears: texture
Apples and pears: taste
Para 3

Apples and pears: colour
Practice


Read “Falling Song” and “Returning”
Brainstorm how you would answer the prompt in a Tchart.