1. AP Lang
Synthesis Test

2. Format 40 minutes – 15 minutes to read the documents.
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, Definition, Proposal
AP wants you to have a conversation with these sources… but keep your argument central.
Think about your argument – in an evaluation, which side will you take?

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, with simple labels (+ or -)
Decide which sources are best for you to use /Criteria:
- Something you are familiar with
- Sources that agree and disagree with each other

5. Start Writing…
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 ______________; ________________ (your evaluation).
For example, “In choosing whether or not to attend college, high school graduates should balance the opportunity to further their education along with post-grad benefits against the price-tag of admission; in the end, college is definitely worth it.
• This 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): Although some believe the literal cost of college outweighs its benefits, this turns out to be mostly untrue. For example, Source A, a high school teacher and community college promoter, argues that a four-year college is “ridiculously overpriced” and that “associates degrees” are enough for the students from her school (Jones). Meanwhile Source D, the Wal-Mart CEO and slave-wage provider, Sam Smith, agrees with Jones, “College costs too much.” He also indicated that Wal-Mart is ”always hiring.” (Smith). Clearly, college has its critics. No one denies college costs have skyrocketed or that minimum wage jobs are easy enough to get with just a high school diploma. However, the ‘too expensive’ argument has one great flaw: graduates from a four-year college make double what a high school graduate can make and significantly more than those with just an associates degree. The cost argument doesn’t hold water for other reasons. Recently, on a trip to Colorado University, friends soaked up the campus atmosphere and felt the vibe of learning. To suggest students should be denied the four-year cultural experience of immersed learning is to be an elitist. Notice how all of the people telling us not to go to college went to college themselves?
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.