What Is the Synthesis Essay on the Exam Like?
Basically, the student is presented with an introduction to and a description of an issue that has varying viewpoints associated with it. Accompanying this is a selection of sources that address the topic. These sources can be written texts that could include nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or even drama, as well as visual texts, such as photos, charts, artwork, cartoons, and so forth.
After carefully reading and annotating the sources, the student is required to respond to the given prompt with an essay that incorporates and synthesizes at least THREE of the sources in support of his position on the subject.
What Is the Purpose of the Synthesis Essay?
The College Board wants to determine how well the student can do the following:
- Read critically
- Understand texts
- Analyze texts
- Develop a position on a given topic
- Support a position on a given topic
- Support a position with appropriate evidence from outside sources
- Incorporate outside sources into the texts of the essay
- Cite sources used in the essay
The synthesis essay is a chance to demonstrate your ability to develop a "researched idea," using not only your personal viewpoint, but also the viewpoints of others. This essay is a reflection of your critical reading, thinking, and writing skills.
What Kinds of Synthesis Essays Can I Expect?
The synthesis essay has two primary approaches. The first kind of synthesis essay is one you're probably familiar with. This is the expository essay in which you develop your thesis and support it with specific examples from appropriate sources. You could develop this type of synthesis essay using any of the rhetorical strategies, such as:
- Compare and contrast
- Cause and effect
- Analysis
The second kind of synthesis essay presents an argument. Here, you take a position on a particular topic and support this position with appropriate outside sources, while indicating the weaknesses of other viewpoints. You should be ready to write either of these two types of synthesis essays. Given the nature of the AP Language exam, however, it is more likely that you will be presented with a synthesis essay prompt that requires a response in the form of an argument.
The important thing is to practice composing both types of synthesis essays. Practice. Practice. Being familiar and comfortable with the synthesis process is the crucial factor.
________________For this assignment, I would like you to develop an opinion on the future of education, and argue a particular stance. You will each be responsible for presenting one source of information to the class, using your blog as a stage. This information can be an article, video, or any source of media that sheds light on our issue. You have to include some points of opinion and share your impressions. We will discuss these in class, and have graded discussions.
For the essay, you will be required to synthesize appropriate info from eachother's blogs, using at least three sources.
As a start, consider the following two videos presenting the views of Sir Ken Robinson.
In the above speech, Sir Ken Robinson makes a case for reforming education to fit our changing times. On the TED website, you can activate subtitles, and even read the entire transcript in just about any language. You can cut and paste from it to use in your essay. Have fun watching this, as it's a very entertaining speech by a gifted orator.
For added fun here's an RSA Animate, where what he says is illustrated.
As Korean students, do you feel your creativity has been suitably enhanced and encouraged since when you were young? Does KMLA meet your creative needs? Is creativity overrated? Underrated? Suitably treated in Korea's progressing education system? Is it progressing? These are some questions to consider. The focus of this paper should be focused generally.
Even the video below could by synthesized to become a part of your argument.
This will be due in three weeks. For next week, please have your source of information prepared. You will be graded on it's value, so try to look around and find something credible, and worthy of discussion.
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