What is a Synthesis Essay 
                and why should I care?
     •  The synthesis essay is the biggest fish to fry 
        on the AP English exam.  It is the rough 
        equivalent of an APUSH DBQ, and can 
        make or break your AP score.
     •  Time alotted: 60 minutes. (15 reading and 45 
        writing recommended)
      
      What is synthesis?
  • Per the College Board: “The synthesis 
   question asks students to synthesize 
   information from a variety of sources to 
   inform their own discussion of a topic.”
  • “The combining of separate elements or 
   substances to form a coherent whole.”
                         What is synthesis?
I think this is the best way to think 
about the synthesis prompt.
combines essay w/ known schema •
of conversationentering a conversation about a topic.
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       •
        supporting your own ideas with outside 
       sources.
       •
        noticing how sources connect to one another 
       and to your own ideas.
       •
        grouping sources in meaningful ways based 
       on these connections
           What Synthesis prompts to expect
       •  defend/challenge/qualify or develop a position about 
          some claim (involves weighing pros and cons and often, 
          cost-benefits analysis of a particular 
          perspective/solution)
       •  evaluate considerations (still an argument, but an 
          argument about which are the most important 
          considerations)
                 MEET OUR TWO 
                 CONTENDERS…
    DBQ                           SYNTHESIS ESSAY
    •2004 French and Indian       •2005 Television and 
    War                           Political Elections