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 BASICS

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...” identifies the key issues associated with . . . and discusses their implications for . . . develops a position on the extent to which . . . evaluates the most important factors that should be considered when/for/if. . . evaluates the merits of . . . develops a position on what issues should be considered most important in making decisions about... argues the extent to which . . . takes a position on whether or not. . . PROMPT STEMS

2 PROMPT TYPES ARGUMENTATIVE synthesis Sources provide various perspectives on a controversial issue Students must develop position in response to competing claims EXPLANATORY synthesis *Note: these are still argumentative in that you as writer make a claim about what’s key/ most important/significant Sources provide information about different aspects of the topic but not necessarily competing claims Students must utilize the info to identify common themes or feature of the topic AND examine these in relation to one another 2 PROMPT TYPES

ARGUMENTATIVE vs. EXPLANATORY develops a position on the extent to which . . . argues the extent to which . . . takes a position on whether or not. . . identifies the key issues associated with . . . and discusses their implications for . . . evaluates the most important factors that should be considered when/for/if. . . evaluates the merits of . . . develops a position on what issues should be considered most important in making decisions about... PROMPT STEMS

DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS DBQ vs. Synthesis 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. DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS

DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS 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 DBQ vs. SYNTHESIS

SCORING

CLASSWORK SAMPLE ESSAY Read the sample synthesis essay on community service—it’s on the teacher page. Note its argument format, as indicated in margin notes. I’ve also made a few notes!  CLASSWORK

CLASSWORK EMBEDDING of EVIDENCE When you wrote your rhetorical analysis paper, I stressed the need to “snippet” your evidence. The same holds true for the synthesis essay. Look at the next three slides as reminders about how snippets can: Help the fluency of your work Emphasize analysis Save time CLASSWORK

Next step: Quote integration We too often incorporate lengthy quotes for lit analysis and rhetorical analysis and then follow them up with explanation. Let’s review the alternative that proves especially helpful for timed writing. Tip 1: excerpt evidence Tip2: embed the excerpted evidence within a sentence that addresses the significance at the same time CLASSWORK

SAMPLE-ARGUMENTATIVE Assume that the prompt is: Then, in a well-organized essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support, take a stance on whether or not the zombie craze is reflective of modern anxieties. Assume the thesis is: In the modern world, zombie media undoubtedly serves a function of mirroring people’s angst. Paragraph 1: Americans’ shattered sense of safety is clearly evident in the recent popularity of zombies. TRADITIONAL APPROACH Evidence Explanation As one author explains, “In the years since the 9/11 attacks, for example, national polls show that Americans feel less safe and secure. With a faded sense of safety and predictability, ‘more of us can identify with the anxieties conveyed by humans about zombies and the prospect of annihilation,’ [Delahoyde] said” (Source 4). Following the terrorism of 2001, America has come to recognize the illusion of its own security. With destruction a normative constant now, the impending threat that zombies pose serves to reflect our vulnerability for attack.

82 words SAMPLE CONT’D TRADITIONAL APPROACH Paragraph 1: Americans’ shattered sense of safety is clearly reflected in the recent popularity of zombies. TRADITIONAL APPROACH 82 words Evidence (47 words) Explanation (35 words) As one author explains, “In the years since the 9/11 attacks, for example, national polls show that Americans feel less safe and secure. With a faded sense of safety and predictability, ‘more of us can identify with the anxieties conveyed by humans about zombies and the prospect of annihilation,’ [Delahoyde] said” (Source 4). Following the terrorism of 2001, America has come to recognize the illusion of its own security. With destruction a normative constant now, the impending threat that zombies pose serve to reflect our vulnerability for attack. REVISED (43 words): Following the terrorism of 9/11, Americans have come to live with “a faded sense of safety and predictability” that makes the possibility of their own destruction a normative constant (Source 4). Recognizing this illusion now, Americans see reflected in zombies’ predation their own vulnerability to attack. 47 words

CLASSWORK Move into groups of 3-4. Read the work on the Philadelphia soda tax (to be given out by teacher), and begin to practice snippets/embedding evidence. Select one sheet to turn in for your group. Put everyone’s names on it, and turn it in to the teacher when done. You may then begin your homework on the locavore sources (or study). Note that you were given the sheet to fill in; the sources are on my teacher page. CLASSWORK

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. HOMEWORK

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Read the locavore sources on teacher webpage Complete the prep sheet/guide HOMEWORK