1. AP Lang
Synthesis Test

2. Format
40 minutes
Multiple Sources (Must use 3). I say 4, no more than 5.
Synthesis: 70% from Sources they give you / 30 % from your prior knowledge.
Both persuasive and expository

3. Where to Begin
15 minutes to Read the Prompt/Sources and Develop your view by annotating!
Look for Language to see what it asks you to do: Evaluation = Reasons For and Reasons Against
Bullet point them and consider each a “positive” or a “negative”
AP wants you to have a conversation with these sources… but keep your argument central.

4. While You Read
Reading the prompt: What are the asking?! It gets tricky when they ask for more than one thing. Define, Evaluate, Propose.
T Chart: Put sources into two column T Chart
Sources are + or – or Both for “it.”
Decide which sources are best to use /Criteria:
- Something you are familiar with
- Sources that agree and disagree with each other

5. What KIND of Essay: Definition, Evaluation, and/or Proposal
Argument of Evaluation: Take a position and ARGUE. Use the sources, combine, make distinctions, but make sure YOUR ARGUMENT is central. Sources cannot control your essay. You do. Rule of thumb = 2 to 3 body paragraphs
Argument of Definition: Easy, JUST make sure you come up with a definition. Rule of thumb = 1 paragraph
Argument of Proposal: Look for good ideas IN the sources, but ultimately, ANY argument. Rule of thumb = 1 paragraph

6. Introduction Introduction: - Hook that restates the assignment.
- Thesis Sentence Frame:
In choosing ______________, __________ should consider ___________, _______________, and ______________.
For example, “In choosing to eliminate the penny, Congress should balance its historical significance with its modern-day uselessness and cost of production saved.”
• Lends itself well to a five-paragraph essay.

7. Conversation With Sources
Your topic sentence should NEVER include a source but rather a claim. Introduce sources with material about each source that they provide you. Use both explicit and implicit data. Cite your sources. Link your sources with conversational transitions. Make sure your commentary dominates each body paragraph.
Example: (Claim, Data, Commentary): Some believe the penny honors President Lincoln, and therefore, should not be eliminated. In defense of the penny for it’s historical significance, historian and penny expert Jane Jones argues that Lincoln is our “greatest President” and that historically, you really cannot “honor” him enough (Source A). Meanwhile, President of the Abraham Lincoln-lover Club, Sam Smith, agrees with Jones, “President Lincoln’s historical significance cannot be overstated” (Source B). Clearly, Lincoln has fans. No one denies President Lincoln’s valued place in history, however, the ‘preserving history argument’ has one great flaw: Lincoln’s placement on the five-dollar bill assures proper Presidential reverence. The argument for history’s sake doesn’t hold water for other reasons. Recently, on a trip to Washington DC, we paid homage to our greatest President by visiting the Lincoln Memorial, a majestic monument. To suggest Lincoln will be forgotten just because we make a prudent financial decision is just wrong.
Notice how the sources are introduced TWICE each. The first time is to impress College Board with your close reading of the introductory information and the second is kind of like a College Board-world citation format – like MLA, but not.
Notice too, how the above paragraph mixes explicit quotes (between the quotations) and implicit paraphrasing… both of these methods are data.
Notice the transition above - by making it argumentative – your voice stands out among the other sources. Your arguments MUST remain central.

8. Conclusion Restate challenge, this time use a metaphor.
Restate issues, factors.
Restate your argument.