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.
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. . .
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.
In much of the world, the time that regulates our lives is altered
by daylight saving time. Each year, we set our clocks back an
hour in the fall and then move them forward an hour in the
spring. This annual shift is thought to have been invented by
Benjamin Franklin, who in 1784 wrote a letter to a French
journal suggesting that Parisians
could economize on candles if they simply woke up earlier
during the summer. Daylight saving time was adopted by the
United States in the twentieth century and is regulated by the
federal government. Even though daylight saving time has been
widely adopted, it still has detractors.
Read the following sources (including the introductory
information) carefully. Then synthesize at least three of the
sources into an essay that evaluates daylight saving time
and offers a recommendation about its continued use.
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)
• 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
Prompt about cont’d use of daylight saving time
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 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.
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)