Learning how to write a synthesis essay is a crucial skill for students, as it teaches the basics of writing a research paper.
Approaching the Synthesis Essay Prompt
In the AP® Lang synthesis essay prompt, you will be given some context to work with, so it’s important that you carefully read the context to figure out the different perspectives on the issue. This can be especially helpful if the prompt is about a topic you have not previously considered.
The prompt is usually written as a statement that includes “write an essay that synthesizes material from at least 3 sources and develops your position on…” Topics will vary, but the rest of the statement could include phrases such as “the role, if any,” “the extent to which” or “the factors one should consider.” It usually helps if you turn the prompt statement into a question.
Next, you will see six to eight sources, with at least one being a visual text. Take a look at the sources, making sure to note the citation information (located in a box at the top of the page) and the brief source information sentence (which is an italicized sentence above the source.) As you examine each source, try to identify the position or argument of each source. If you feel a source is unusable or you don’t understand it, just skip it.
As you are looking at sources, don’t forget to annotate and write down quotes that you find. This can be really useful later when composing your synthesis essay. Additionally, you may want to write down commentary as you are reading the source. This can help you plan how this source can be used in your essay.
For more information about analyzing a visual text, check out this video.
Creating an Outline
Before you begin writing, I highly suggest that you draft a quick outline. This doesn’t need to be very detailed. The goal of the outline is to make sure your essay has a logical argument, that your ideas progress well, and you know where you will be inserting your sources.
When writing your outline, you want to clearly determine your argument or position. If it helps, make a quick note about what your thesis will be. Next, determine how many body paragraphs you will have and create a map of those paragraphs. Within that map, include which sources you will use – you need to cite at least three sources in your essay.
Lastly, determine if you need a counterclaim and rebuttal or concession and refutation. If so, decide where you will include that in your essay.
Writing a Thesis Statement
In a synthesis essay, you will be developing a position, so it is important that you have a defensible thesis. Within your thesis, be sure to assert your position. Some students also like to include a counterclaim in their thesis. That is completely fine, but be sure you aren’t trying to argue both sides equally.
Once written, the thesis statement will go in your introduction. Don’t spend too much time creating an introduction because the bulk of your score comes from the body paragraphs. As long as you have a defensible thesis, you will be okay. If you have time, you can definitely add a hook and appropriate context to your intro.
Selecting Sources
Synthesis means a combination of sources, so a synthesis essay can be thought of as a “conservation of sources”. The key word here is conversation – you want the sources to support your argument. You don’t want your essay to be a summary of sources.
AP® Lang requires that you include at least three sources. A common mistake students make is using the same source twice and thinking that counts as two citations. Because it’s the same source, it only counts as one.
I often recommend to students that you choose two sources that support your argument, and one that can be used with your rebuttal and counterclaim.
When learning how to write a synthesis essay, avoid inserting large quotes into your body paragraphs You want the bulk of your essay to be your original thoughts and commentary, so your sources should complement what you have to say – not replace it.
Citing Your Sources
During the AP® Lang exam, you will get two booklets. One will have all of your essay prompts, including the sources for your synthesis essay. The other booklet will be where you actually write your essay.
There are two ways that you can cite your sources. You want to pick one method and use that throughout your synthesis essay. One method is by simply referring to the sources as (Source A) or (Source C). You can also cite by using the author’s name, such as (Dickinson). Make sure you use parenthetical citations. These parenthetical citations should always come at the very end of the sentence, not the end of your quote.
Citation tip: The period goes after the second parenthesis.
Remember, evidence can be in the form of a direct quote or paraphrase. Either way, you must include a citation.
For more information about citing sources in a synthesis essay, check out this blog post.
Developing Commentary
One major components of knowing how to write a synthesis essay is knowing how to develop commentary.
Developing commentary is always the hardest part of any essay. Commentary is analysis. It’s your original thoughts and interpretations. Your synthesis essay will be composed of more commentary than evidence because commentary is what explains the significance of the evidence and makes connections to your thesis.
When developing commentary, think about some of the following questions:
- Do you have any relevant personal experience with the topic?
- Who benefits from this situation/circumstance/solution? Who experiences a disadvantage?
- What will happen if this issue continues? What will happen if it ceases?
- How will this benefit or hurt society?
- What are the real-world or current implications of this issue?
Pacing Tips
Training for the AP® Lang exam is a lot like training for a marathon. You can’t expect yourself to start out running 26 miles in a day. The pacing of the essay is often intimidating for students. It seems like you don’t have a lot of time. The College Board recommends you take 15 minutes to read the prompt and sources and 40 minutes to write the essay.
In order to feel comfortable with that time frame, you are going to need to practice.
For more tips regarding how to write a synthesis essay, check out this video!
