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Synthesis Essays

Synthesis Essays. The 3 rd (and final!) type of AP Essay. Synthesis. The combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole. Synthesis Essay Basics. Think of this essay as a cross between an Argument essay and the history DBQ

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Synthesis Essays

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  1. Synthesis Essays The 3rd (and final!) type of AP Essay

  2. Synthesis • The combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole

  3. Synthesis Essay Basics • Think of this essay as a cross between an Argument essay and the history DBQ • You are given 6 – 7 sources on a given topic: at least one source will be a visual (photograph, cartoon, chart, graph, art, etc.) • The introduction guides you toward the topic with a series of questions / prompts, but you do not necessarily have to explicitly answer those questions

  4. Synthesis Essay Basics • The assignment section will tell you how many sources you must use and what you should write about – pay close attention to what position you are defending, challenging, or qualifying • Use the recommended number of sources as further support for YOUR OWN OPINION • Reading time added to this question – allows for full and complete consideration of all sources

  5. Synthesis Essay Basics • No extra credit or special consideration is given based on which of the sources you use (you do not have to use the visual) • You will still need to bring in your own examples to support your opinion; however, you may bounce your opinions off the sources you choose. • Any information contained in a source must be cited (even if you had prior knowledge of that information)

  6. Synthesis Essay Basics • You may use sources that either refute or substantiate your opinion. • You must cite the sources – you can earn no higher than a 2 if you plagiarize. Plagiarism is any intentional or unintentional misrepresentation of knowledge. Be clear in your attribution. • Merely summarizing the sources and writing a report on the topic will result in a low scoring essay • You muse present an ARGUMENT on the topic

  7. Citing Sources in the Synthesis Essay • You may cite parenthetically • Those in favor of amending the Constitution to prohibit flag desecration argue that desecration of the flag is “a dishonor to Americans who died fighting tyranny” (source A). • You may cite within the sentence itself • Chris Babington claims in his Washington Post article that “most Americans want flag desecration outlawed.”

  8. Format of the Prompt • One page of introductory material • Assignment – prompt in BOLD print • List of sources • Each source follows on its own page

  9. Sample Synthesis Essay - 2009 Assignment Read the following sources (including the introductory information) carefully. Then in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources, develop a position about what issues should be considered most important in making decisions about space exploration.

  10. Key Information from Prompt • Use at least three sources • Develop a position • Expository argument

  11. Looking at the Sources • Variety: • Source A: personal web page • Source B: NASA photo • Source C: Pie Chart from The Tax Foundation and Table from the US Government • Source D: National Institute of Health online description • Source E: Excerpt from a university web page on ethics • Source F: Online magazine article • Source G: Book excerpt • Source H: Transcript of a radio broadcast

  12. Approaching the Topic • Read through the sources – you will have 15 minutes to do this • Jot a quick note on each source indicating what it is arguing / adding to the debate • Indicate whether you anticipate being able to use the source • The sources you use should • Be easily understood by you • Either agree or disagree with your position • Sources which agree with your position add substantiation to your examples • Sources which disagree with your position can be used for rebuttal

  13. Student Sample - 2009 • Read the student sample. • What makes it an upper-level response?

  14. Introductory Paragraph • Broad, general statement on the issue • Example: Space is beautiful and mysterious; not many have had the opportunity to venture out there, and much is left undiscovered. • The occasion which is prompting you to write • Example: As curious creatures, many humans naturally promote space exploration; we figure we can learn a lot about our Earth and the rest of the universe in space as well as discover potential resources or extraterrestrial life. • Thesis statement • Yet before we fully commit to the exploration of space, cost, potential human impact, and danger should be considered.

  15. Body Paragraphs • You MUST have clear and specific reasons for your position independent of the sources • Use the sources to help support the examples / evidence you bring forward • Avoid lengthy quotations and / or over-reliance on the sources • Example: • McLean points out that “we do not have a very good track record in protecting our planet home,” so we should think carefully before continuing “the expansion of human presence” (Source E)…. Pollution and exploitation of resources are examples of ways in which we harm our surroundings, so we must evaluate our ability to refrain from such destruction in space.

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