Lesson 4 Synthesis Overview & Peer Evaluation I can evaluate my own and my peer’s writing for textual understanding, organization and development, syntax, word choice, and grammar.

Agenda Bell Ringer: Sentence Types Overview of Synthesis Breakdown the Synthesis Prompt and Sources Suggestions for the Synthesis Prompt Class Discussion Self Evaluation Peer Evaluation

Overview: Synthesis Essay The prompt will ask you to take a position on an issue and support it by synthesizing information from several sources. You will be provided at least 5 sources that you can use as evidence to support your position. You must synthesize at least 3 of the sources provided and you must cite any information used. You may use ideas from your own experiences and reading. However, all information used must be synthesized into a coherent, unified argument. Purpose: Tests your capability to analyze information and synthesize a variety of given sources in order to construct an argument. Assesses how well you manipulate language to communicate your written argument of a specific topic to a mature audience. AP is looking for connections between your argument and the sources.

Deconstructing the prompt Read the prompt carefully, including all introductory information. Consider what you think about the topic. Circle or underline the essential points and key words in the prompt. These are things that you will need to look for as you read sources. Identify the claim made in the prompt and decide if you want to defend, challenge, or qualify the claim. Keep this decision in mind as you read the sources. Reading the sources may change your mind about how to approach the claim, so keep an open mind! Restate the question to yourself – paraphrase it – to be sure you understand what you are being asked to write about.

Tips for reading sources You will have 15 minutes to read and analyze the sources at the beginning of the AP Exam, Section II. 1st Read – Skim the source to determine the gist of the text and whether it is PRO, CON, or Neutral. 2nd Read – Close reading Determine the rhetorical situation, especially purpose, as well as any rhetorical devices used and/or bias Watch out for satirical sources, especially if it is a cartoon Annotate significant information provided and be sure to mark any quotes or statistics you might use. Take notes about your ideas. Plan out your argument how you will use each source. Be sure that you are truly synthesizing ideas and that your own argument is the focus of the essay, not the sources.

Final Reminders for Synthesis Use at least 3 sources (or whatever the minimum requirement is). It WILL LOWER your score if you don’t follow instructions. Incorporate sources into your argument so that they support your thesis and your own ideas are the central focus of the essay. Do not simply summarize or restate the information provided in the sources. Show an understanding of the sources and successfully develop your position. You must address counterclaims and refute them in order to write a convincing argument. Don’t leave out a conclusion – it weakens your argument.

Suggestions for the Synthesis Essay

The Prompt What is the topic/issue presented in the prompt? Voting in an election What did this prompt ask you to do? Support, qualify, or dispute the argument that people do not vote because they do not feel a sense of political efficacy It doesn’t matter which position you chose to take as long as you provided adequate support for your argument and used at least 3 sources that were provided. You could have also included information from your own experiences in addition to the sources to fully develop your argument.

Introduction and Thesis Clearly define the issue The lack of voter participation in the United States You have to give the audience some awareness of the problem before your present your opinion about it. Clear statement of your position on the issue Why you agree or disagree with the statement that people do not vote because they do not feel their vote will make a difference

Supporting Details Support is based on your own opinions about the position you take and the information in the sources should be used as evidence to support these opinions. Show a clear connection between the sources you choose to cite Sources as seamlessly integrated with appropriate transitions At least 3 of the 6 sources are used Explain the logic of how you arrived at the conclusion you did, based on the information provided in the sources Acknowledge opposing arguments and refute them Attribute both direct (quotes) and indirect (paraphrasing and summary) citations For Example: According to Sources A, “…..”

Conclusion Include a restatement of your thesis tied into the supporting evidence you used For Example: “In sum, there can be no other conclusion drawn from the evidence except to say that people do not vote because they feel a lack of political efficacy.” Conclusions neatly sums up your argument

Class Discussion What position did you take? What reasoning did you use to support your position? Which sources were valuable for each position? Did you have any problems you want to discuss with the class?

Self Evaluation Complete the self evaluation over your synthesis essay

Peer Evaluation Trade papers with a peer. Read each other’s papers and then score it using the peer evaluation rubric. Give the essay an overall score and explain it in the rationale section. Make sure to give your partner at least one thing to work on before their next essay!