Writing the
Synthesis
Essay on
the AP
English
Language
Test
15 Minute Reading Period
1)
2)
3)

Read the prompt
Determine your thesis
Annotate the sources
Yes, you get to keep the sources
during the writing of the essay.
Two Hours to Write Three Essays
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
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You will have two hours to write the
three kinds of essays: synthesis,
argument, and rhetorical analysis.
You decide how long to invest in
each essay.
You decide what order to write the
essays.
Two Hours to Write Three Essays


Many prefer to write the synthesis
essay first because the sources will
be fresh in their minds.
You must use at least three of the
sources to support your ideas in the
synthesis essay.
Two Hours to Write Three Essays



Accurate, source-based;
paraphrase/summarize sources
ideas
Organized so readers see where the
information from the sources
overlap
Helps reader understand sources in
greater depth.
The synthesis essay requires you to . . .
①
②
Analyze = break sources down into
their parts
Synthesize = put together parts
from at least three sources in a new
way to support your thesis,
argument, and counterargument


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You must make connections with
sources and personal observations
to support your stand on the issue.
You must understand how to use a
variety of sources including non-print
text (pictures, etc.)
You will use this “synthesis” to
support your thesis.
How is this done?
Writer
 Uses quotes or phrases to extract
key information.
 Demonstrates understanding in
using the quotes or phrases.
 Uses the quotes to support his/her
opinion/position.
 Cites sources because a writer
NEVER wants to plagiarize.
Remember!


Synthesis is not merely incorporating
sources.
Synthesis is combining information
from other sources with your opinion!
So, how do you do it?



Essay must be thesis driven, so form
a thesis based on the prompt.
Use your prewriting time to jot down
ideas that support your thesis.
Highlight information in the sources
that support your thesis so you can
find them later. (Remember
annotating text? Mark it up! Make
comments as you read!)
So, how do I do it?


Draw on 3 or more sources.
Use different phrases and sentences
to support a central idea - use these
as your quotes.
Only 1 text
-- baaad!
3 or more
texts -goood!
So, how do I do it?


Make connections
among the sources make sense of the
sources so the reader
has better
understanding.
Make further
connections through
personal observations
and/or theories that
relate to the
information from the
sources.
Think of your connections as branches
on a tree. Where do the ideas overlap?