1. Synthesis
Part B and C

2. What is a synthesis? Discuss with your group.
Be prepared to share your answers.

3. Weight on Exam
The synthesis section is perhaps the largest portion of your exam
It is worth 21% of the entire exam!
2 -- multiple choice questions linking both passages
One written response
You should devote about 1 hour to the synthesis section (multiple choice and essay)

4. Part B and C: The Synthesis
You will be asked to read two texts and answer multiple choice questions about each (14 in total)
There will be 2 multiple choice questions (about both texts together)
There will be one written response (synthesis essay)
You will need to discuss both texts

5. What is the marker looking for?
Discuss in your group.
What is the marking looking for in a synthesis essay?
Be prepared to share out.

6. A Synthesis is…
A true synthesis = combining ideas from two different texts
You will be given a prompt and you must find a way to talk about both texts in relation to the prompt.

7. Hints for success Before reading
Before starting section B or C, read the prompt for the synthesis
Write the prompt at the top of the page you are reading
This way you can refer back to it when reading and read with the prompt in mind
Circle or underline any quotes that relate to the prompt

8. Hints for success Before you start writing
Read the prompt carefully – make sure you understand what it is asking
Plan out your essay
Take 5 min to plan – it will pay off.
Exam day is not the time to finish early!
Find quotes that will support your points

9. Hints for success Introduction Address the prompt
Include the titles and authors of the texts
Write a strong thesis – directly answers the question and has your three points in the sentence

10. Hints for success Body paragraphs Be specific with your examples
Give lots of examples (one or two examples is not enough!)
Don’t fence sit – it looks like you didn’t understand the text.
Be obvious and make the link for the reader
Use character names

11. Conclusion
Make sure you have a strong conclusion, which ties back to your introduction
Don’t just restate your intro – you want to say something that makes an impact!

12. Style Focus on proper quote integration and citation.
This is very important!
Use transition words.
Avoid contractions and personal pronouns.

13. Method of comparison Avoid block method of comparison
Ex. A + B = AB
This is not a synthesis!
Use point by point comparison
Ex. 1AB, 2AB, 3AB

14. Method of Comparison Block Method Point by Point Method Para 1 apples
Everything about apples
Para 2 pears
Everything about pears
Para 3 both
Comparing both pears and apples
Point by Point Method
Para 1
Apples and pears: texture
Para 2
Apples and pears: taste
Para 3
Apples and pears: colour

15. 5 Types of Questions 1. Compare/ Contrast
2. How would character X respond to character Y
3. Who is the better ….
4. Discuss similarities between X and Y
5. Assess (to what extent)

16. Compare/Contrast
Contrast the relationships that the father in “Wordsmith” and Sam Sing in “The Gold Mountain Coat” have with their children. You must refer to both passages in your essay.

17. Character X vs. Character Y
Discuss the ways in which Hap, the dairy farmer in “The Soul of Capitalism,” would likely respond to Warhol’s art as described in “When Canada Met Andy.” You must refer to both passages in your essay.

18. Who is better…
Which character Erik Weihenmayer in “Blindly He Goes…Up” or Uncle Jim in “Versabraille” is the better explorer. You must refer to both passages in your essay.

19. Discuss similarities …
Discuss the qualities that Erik Weihenmayer in “Blindly He Goes…Up” and Uncle Jim in “Versabraille” share in facing their challenges. You must refer to both passages in your essay.

20. Assess
Assess the role that optimism plays in the lives of Jenny in “Circus in Town” and Chris Gardner in “ ‘Happyness’ for Sale.” You must refer to both passages in your response.

21. The Question
Read the question with care and identify the (1) key verb and (2) key words.
Keep in mind that the exam marker only marks the responses to the key words in the question!

22. Breaking down the question
Assess the role that optimism plays in the lives of Jenny in “Circus in Town” and Chris Gardner in “Happyness for Sale.”
Assess = key verb
Role/Optimism = key words
Lives of Jenny and Chris Gardner = key words
“Assess” — the key verb tells you how to structure your essay.
For example, assess means to estimate the value of something based on some criteria and present a well informed judgment.

23. Practice Task
Practice identifying the key verbs and words in each question