Guide to Writing: AP English Synthesis 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. Relationship to the Argument Essay

#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 four sources Be sure to note the minimum requirement for sources. Usually, you will be asked to cite at least three sources. Push yourself to cite four. The fourth will give you some padding in case you rush through one citation. If you cite more than four sources, you will likely overburden yourself. Work smarter, not harder.

#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 take text out of 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. Remember the principles of Say, Mean, Matter. Integrate Evidence (Say + Mean): 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 (Matter): Provide an answer to the questions “So what?” and/or “Who Cares?” that relates back to the argument you are making. DON’T FORGET THE PROMPT!

#3: How to Cite Evidence 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.