Transcript How to Write Synthesis Essays

Writing the Synthesis Essay for
the AP Language Exam
A synthesis essay combines
three or more sources in support
of a writer’s central argument.
Mr. Metaphor describes it as a stew.
The “cook” combines meat,
vegetables and broth to create
something new, a tasty essay.
You must incorporate at least three
of the provided sources and give
credit to the author of each source.
Mr. Metaphor
Don’t attempt to use all of the
sources.
Three sources well used
can earn the writer a high score.
Five sources poorly used will
result in a low score.
Read the Introduction and
Assignment first. Understand
what you’re being asked to do.
You may be asked to evaluate a
situation, form an opinion on it
and support your argument with
ideas from the sources.
The Introduction provides
context and defines the issue.
You may want to use some of its
ideas, but avoid using any of it
word-for-word. Paraphrasing is
the way to go.
After reading the assignment,
you’ll probably have a rough
idea of the position you’ve
decided to take on the issue.
Often a qualified thesis works
well because it’s easier to
prove.
Use your 15 minutes of reading time
wisely. Be sure to mark the prompt
and sources as you read.
Read each source carefully,
underlining key ideas. Do you
agree or disagree with the
speaker’s position?
As you read, think about the
position you might take and how
you might support that position
with an idea from a particular
source.
Remember that your argument
is central, the framework of the
essay. The sources are
secondary, in that they support
your claims and inform your
argument.
To keep your argument central,
state your thesis clearly and
early. Begin your body
paragraphs with claims of your
own making whenever possible.
Avoid simply “tacking on” a source.
Instead, weave it into the fabric of
the essay like a silver thread among
the gold.
Consider using a source that
opposes your position.
Acknowledging the opposition is
a sign of sophisticated writing
and adds complexity.
Be aware of possible
connections between sources.
Revealing those connections
can show a depth of thought
that will impress your reader.
As you read each source, try to
determine its main idea and where
that speaker stands on the issue
you’re writing about.
Another source will likely be a chart
or graph of some sort. It, too, is
open to interpretation.
Some of the sources may seem
only indirectly related to the prompt,
but they’re not. The connection,
however, may be tangential.
After examining and marking the
sources, make a final decision
about what your thesis will be.
State it simply and directly in your
own words.
A qualified thesis often works
well by limiting the scope of the
claim. For example, an
absolute thesis (e.g. All handguns
should be illegal) can be made
more reasonable by qualifying it
(e.g. Most handguns should be
illegal).
Write a few lines of context to
introduce your thesis. Often a
generalization of some sort works
well, tapering down to your
awesome thesis statement.
Flip back through the sources and
identify the ones you’ll probably
use. You can refer to them in
various ways:
“Blah, blah, blah,” (Source A).
 Source E maintains that…
 Klinghoffer contends that eating berries…
 “Blah, blah, blah,” according to Figley.

Your argument must be central: a
pillar of effective argumentation
supported by specific, convincing
evidence.
To paraphrase means to restate
someone else’s words and to give
them credit. Usually a
paraphrasing is about the same
length as the original.
Paraphrasing source material
generally is more impressive than
simply quoting it.
A summary reduces a passage to
its essential meaning and is always
shorter than its source. Be sure to
give credit to the source.
Don’t merely summarize
sources. It doesn’t earn you
any points, and it wastes time.
The reader already knows the
sources by heart.
Quotations need to be “set up” or
introduced, rather than simply
“dropped” in like a pair of dirty
socks in a laundry hamper
Readers will be looking for “depth of
thought,” so don’t shortchange
them. Consider the complexity of
the topic, and do it justice.
If a brief outline would help you,
scratch one out during the
reading time, summarizing your
thesis and the evidence you will
use to support it.
Write unified paragraphs that begin
with a claim, followed by support
and explanation. Avoid digression
and unnecessary repetition.
Be aware of the time. Allow about
40 minutes for the writing of the
essay. The administrator will alert
you when that time has passed by
saying: “You are advised to move
on to Question 2.” You can,
however, use your writing time as
you see fit.