Introduction to the Synthesis Essay

1. Introduction to the Synthesis Essay AP Language & Composition

2. What is synthesis? • From a Greek root “to put together” • The process of bringing together information from various sources to form a new whole. • In the context of the AP English Language exam, it refers to engaging three or more sources (written or visual) to develop a position on a particular topic.

3. Two Types • Explanatory – Aims to inform, to make sure that readers understand the parts of a topic.

4. Explanatory Synthesis • While many people praise computer-mediated communication’s potential to bridge barriers and promote meaningful dialogue, others caution that it may have many dangers.

5. Two Types • Argumentative – Aims to persuade, to convince readers to adhere to a particular claim.

6. Argumentative Synthesis • Although many people praise the potential of computer-mediated communication to bridge barriers and promote meaningful dialogue, in practice computer mediated communication threatens to undermine human intimacy, connection and ultimately community.

7. One way of looking at synthesis… • The synthesis question is like the traditional argument question with sources. • On the traditional argument question, students might be asked to “develop a position” or “defend, challenge or qualify” a position on a particular subject and are typically asked to “use appropriate evidence” and are encouraged to draw on their “reading, observation or experience”

8. How to evaluate sources… • An evaluation is simply an analysis with the force of judgment • Authority • Accuracy • Objectivity • Currency • Coverage

9. Making Concessions • Although I grant that ____ I still maintain that____. • Proponents of X are right to argue that ______, but they exaggerate when they claim that _______. • While it is true that_____, it does not necessarily follow that______. • On the one hand, I agree with X that _______. But on the other hand, I still insist that _____.

10. A Synthesis Question Packet • “What’s the truth about memoir?” • Imagine the question were not one that included sources – how would you “take a position that defends, challenges or qualifies” the statement? • What “reading, observation or experience” could you draw on for this question?

11. Question without Sources Memoir remains a popular genre and form of nonfiction. Some memoirists, however, have been accused of misrepresenting certain events of their lives to suit their goals, be they aesthetic or commercial. To what extent, if at all, should a memoirist, in Russell Baker’s words, be able to “invent the truth”? How absolute a label is “nonfiction”? What constitutes the standard for “truth” in a text that is presented to its potential audience as a memoir?

12. Read the Packet • Read the sources, student responses and commentary carefully. • Take notes on what the responses do well, and where there are areas for improvement. • Be prepared to SCORE the student responses – and be able to defend – in class tomorrow using the standard 1-9 AP scale.