Guide to Writing:
AP English Synthesis Essay
Relationship to the Argument Essay
 In the argument essay, you make a claim, then
support it with evidence stored in your head.
 In the synthesis essay, you make a claim, then
support it with evidence stored in the sources.
#1: Your essay needs a clear thesis
 In your first paragraph, you need a strong, clear
thesis.
 Everything which follows must relate back to
this thesis. The thesis is the boss. Anything not
working for the thesis should be fired.
 If you aren’t proving your thesis, what are you doing?
#2: Cite at least 3 sources
 The synthesis essay requires that you cite at least
three DIFFERENT sources (not the same source
three times).
 You may certainly still incorporate your own
personal knowledge and experiences as evidence in
this essay. This does not, however, count as one of
the three required sources.
 Work smarter, not harder. You are not required to
use more than 3 sources.
#3: How to Cite Evidence
 This essay is evaluating your ability to construct an
argument using sources.
 If you use information from the sources, you have to
cite it. If you copy it from a source, you have to put it
in quotation marks.
#3: How to Cite Evidence
 Only include direct quotes from the sources where the
quotes are especially juicy or if they come from an expert
that illustrates a point you are making.
 When you use a quotation, keep it brief. If you quote
extensively, your own argument will not be central.
 Work with small quotations, not long excerpts. Try to
work with snippets and phrases, not full sentences.
 When you quote the text, don’t allow the quotation to
disrupt the flow or grammar of your sentence.
#3: How to Cite Evidence
 Don’t just drop in quotations or information without your
own analysis.
 Integrate Evidence: Provide context and an
introduction before presenting supporting evidence
and explaining its meaning (you can repeat this as many
times as necessary).
 Explain the significance: Provide an answer to the
questions “So what?” and/or “Who Cares?” that
relates back to the argument you are making. DON’T
FORGET TO CONSISTENTLY ANSWER THE
PROMPT!
#3: How to Cite Evidence
 You can also use information from sources without
quoting! Cite pertinent information in your own words
and then give credit to the source.
 Example from Source: Research found that 77% of
American sixteen year olds want to vote, while only 32% of
British sixteen year olds are enthusiastic about voting. – Emily
Smith
 In your essay: American sixteen year olds are more than
twice as likely to want to vote than their British counterparts
(Smith).
#4: Don’t summarize the sources
 If you are merely summarizing the content of the
sources, then you have substituted a simpler task for
a more complex one.
 Summary of the sources is not argument.
#5: Be original
 Don’t just summarize the arguments presented in several
different sources and call that your own argument. You
are “synthesizing” your view of the issue with the
evidence in the sources.
 You have to be original, like this unicorn cat.
#6: Don’t equivocate.
Qualification is OK. Equivocation is not OK.
 Qualification: You take a side, but you do so with
reservations, concerns, or exceptions.
 Equivocation: You don’t take a side. You discuss both
sides and decide that they’re equal.
#7: Ensure you’re reading the sources correctly
 This is a writing and reading test. You have to
understand the sources.
 If you cite a source, make sure you understand what
it is arguing. That’s where our close reading
strategies come in handy!
Definition of “Synthesis”
“For the purposes of
scoring, synthesis refers to
combining the sources and
the writer’s position to
form a cohesive, supported
argument and accurately
citing all sources.”
In other words, you
generate your own,
original thesis, but you
use the sources to
support it.