Week 2: Putting it all Together: The Synthesis Essay
Week Breakdown
Monday the 2nd
Take notes on the Synthesis essay, the first essay in the AP Lang exam.
Write down lexicon #14: Synthesis in your notebook.
Make sure to write down the five criteria that matter in this particular essay.
Unpack the practice prompt from the 2019 Ap Language and Composition exam.
Practice reading and annotating sources within two minutes or less time.
Identify strengths and weaknesses for this particular essay.
Tuesday the 3rd
Finish reading and annotating the sources.
Collaborative writing assignment (in pairs or groups of three).
Practice crafting a strong thesis statement and two compelling body paragraphs.
Wednesday the 4th
Take notes and familiarize yourself with the AP Synthesis rubric and how to score at least a 3/6.
Group grade our collaborative essays from Tuesday.
Thursday the 5th
Head to the library to take our practice synthesis essay!
Note, if you missed this day, this practice must be done in-person.
Friday the 6th
Write down lexicon #15: Paragraph unity.
Group grade Mr. Roberts' synthesis essay.
Self-assess your practice synthesis essay.
Peer grade and edit time.
Submit your essay on Google Classroom for feedback and grade. Alternatively, you can share it with Mr. Roberts at Droberts@Bostonpublicschools.org. Make sure you note that it is your final draft in the title!
Table of Contents (click a link!)
Monday the 2nd
The Synthesis Essay
Lexicon #14: Synthesis
Definition: In academic writing, synthesis refers to integrating evidence and perspectives from multiple sources to support a unified argument or analysis.
What matters in this essay?
Understand the Prompt Clearly
Identify the Task: What is the essay asking you to argue, explain, or evaluate?
Determine the Issue: Read the background provided to understand the context of the debate.
Craft a Strong Thesis
Your thesis should directly answer the prompt and provide a clear, arguable position.
Avoid vague statements. Be specific about what you're arguing and why.
Use At Least Three Sources
You’re required to use a minimum of three sources to support your argument.
Choose sources that represent a variety of perspectives to strengthen your argument.
Balance Your Own Ideas with Sources
Your voice is central to the essay. Use sources to support your ideas, not replace them.
Avoid simply summarizing sources. Instead, analyze them and explain how they contribute to your argument.
Analyze, Don’t Just Quote
When you use a quote, always explain why it matters and how it supports your thesis.
Example: If you quote a statistic, explain how it proves your point rather than just stating it.
Unpacking the prompt
2019 Synthesis Prompt (Wind farms)
Breakdown of the directions
First paragraph is context -- read it!
In the first paragraph of the synthesis prompt, it gives you a little information about the debate or topic of discussion. This short paragraph can give you insight into what you will encounter and give you something to look for in your sources. Be sure to read it and start formulating ideas about what sides may exist.
Second paragraph is prompt!
The beginning always tells you to read the sources carefully and gives you a handy reminder to use three sources to get a passing score for this essay. However, towards the end of this paragraph, you will always encounter the prompt, which in this case reads, "develop your position on the most important factors that an individual or agency should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm."
Third paragraph is mostly directions
Read it once and remember not to just summarize sources, but you don't need to spend too much time on this part of the directions.
Sifting through the Sources (2019 Wind farms)
AP English Language and Composition 2019 Synthesis Prompt and Readings.pdfTuesday the 3rd
Collaborative Synthesis Writing (in pairs or groups of three)
Objective:
Work collaboratively to compose two paragraphs in response to the AP Language and Composition 2019 Synthesis Prompt on wind farms. Your paragraphs should demonstrate the effective synthesis of evidence from at least three provided sources to support a clear and cohesive argument.
Steps:
Review the Prompt and Sources:
Begin by thoroughly reading the 2019 synthesis prompt about wind farms. Discuss with your partner the overarching task: what argument do you want to develop in response to the prompt? Skim through the provided sources and identify three that will best support your argument.Plan Your Argument:
Decide on the thesis statement (main argument) for your paragraphs.
Outline how each paragraph will contribute to supporting your thesis.
Determine which evidence from the sources you will incorporate and how you will use it (e.g., direct quotations, paraphrasing, or summarizing).
Assign roles for drafting, editing, and synthesizing evidence.
Compose One thesis and Two Cohesive Paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Introduce a key idea supporting your thesis. Use evidence from at least two sources to explain and support your point, integrating the evidence seamlessly.
Paragraph 2: Develop a related point that adds depth to your argument. Incorporate evidence from at least one new source and connect it to the ideas in the first paragraph.
Emphasize Synthesis:
Ensure that the evidence from the sources is synthesized, meaning you draw connections between them rather than simply listing or summarizing. Show how the sources interact (e.g., agree, complement, or contradict).Collaborate and Refine:
Review each other's contributions for clarity, coherence, and adherence to the AP Lang synthesis rubric. Revise to ensure smooth transitions, a consistent tone, and accurate use of evidence.
Two strategies
Work together
Work together on each paragraph, brainstorming and drafting sentences as a team. Share ideas, refine each other’s wording, and ensure your analysis flows cohesively. This approach fosters discussion and helps you learn from each other while creating a unified essay.
Divide and conquer
Each person writes one paragraph, focusing on their strengths or preferred arguments. After drafting, come together to link the paragraphs, ensuring smooth transitions and consistency in tone and style. This strategy allows for efficient use of time and a blend of perspectives.
Quick thesis stem
Since the prompt is asking us to take a position on wind farms and what the most important factors are when considering them, let's use this same language to create a quick, yet effective thesis.
Thesis stem: Wind farms are (take a position: beneficial, detrimental, or somewhere in between) and the most important factors to consider are (point 1) and (point 2) or (point 1), (point 2), and (point 3).
Note, if you have two points, you usually would make that two body paragraphs. If there are three, then you'd just add another body paragraph.
Quick topic sentence stems
Once we've written our thesis statement (or our main argument), now we need to prove it. To do so, we just take whatever points we said in our thesis and expand on why they are important.
Topic sentence stems:
An important factor to consider is (point 1) because...
It's crucial for us to recognize (point 2) as it...
One essential element that cannot be ignore is (point 3) due to...
You get the idea! Feel free to use these or to craft your own! Remember, evidence and quotations should not be in your first sentence of your paragraphs.
Wednesday the 4th
The Synthesis Rubric
Condensed Rubric for AP Synthesis Scoring.docxGroup grading our collaborative essays
Thursday the 5th
Practice Synthesis Essay (Sharenting)
Note, due to legal reasons, I cannot post the sources online for this prompt. If you'd like to retake it, we can arrange a make-up on an extra period or during vocational week.
Sharenting Prompt.pdfFriday the 6th
AP Synthesis Scoring Rubric
Condensed Rubric for AP Synthesis Scoring.docxBefore we score, let's briefly go over paragraph unity!
Lexicon #15: Paragraph unity
Definition: Paragraph unity means all sentences in a paragraph work together to support the main idea, introduced by the topic sentence, which guides the reader and sets the focus.
The topic sentence acts as a guidepost or a promise, letting the reader know what the paragraph is about. Topic sentences should directly relate back to your thesis statement. Your thesis is the central argument or idea of your essay, and each paragraph should play a role in proving or expanding on it. Think of your essay as a puzzle: each paragraph is one piece, and when all the pieces fit together, they clearly reveal your thesis.
