Writing the Synthesis Paper: The Basics

Writing the Synthesis Paper: The Basics

What is a synthesis paper? "Synthesis" is the combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole. The synthesis essay is first and foremost a persuasive argument. You MUST use the facts and ideas presented in the provided sources.

Purpose of Synthesis Essay The synthesis essay has a triple purpose. 1. It examines your ability to consider and support a rational argument. 2. It also seeks to evaluate your ability to absorb, understand, and employ several sources on the same topic. 3. It tests your ability to correctly cite the sources you have quoted or paraphrased in your argument.

Scoring/Rubric To simplify the rubric, the graders are primarily looking for three elements: Did the student answer the question? Did the writer s point remain clear? Did the student use examples?

Did the student answer the question? Make sure to address the prompt. Just because your write an eloquent paper does not guarantee that you are staying on topic.

Did the writer s point remain clear? Develop your own original idea, or thesis, based on the sources provided. Use the sources to support or augment your OWN argument. There should be no confusion or uncertainty Your argument should be clear from the first point through the conclusion.

Did the student use examples? The AP Synthesis Essay requires you to use three sources. If you do not have specific examples, your essay will receive no more than a lower half score (1-4) DO NOT simply summarize the sources. You need to integrate the content of the sources for your OWN purposes and to back up YOUR reasoning.

Step 1: The First Page Read the initial question page carefully. There are three sections. 1. Direction: in this section you will find this crucial sentence: Your argument should be central; the sources should support this argument. Avoid merely summarizing sources. Your opinion is the most important aspect of this essay (therefore form one!) The sources you present in your argument are there to support and sustain your own ideas. 2. Introduction: its purpose is to get you thinking about the issue by making general statements about the topic. The introduction is not the prompt 3. Assignment: this is where you will find the prompt. The topic is hi-lighted in bold print. Additionally, the assignment (prompt) will state that you must synthesize at least three of the sources for support.

Your Turn Take a minute to look at the first page of your synthesis packet.

Defend, Challenge, or Qualify Some prompts may ask you to take a position that defends, challenges, or qualifies a claim. Defending argument: Agreeing with the claim Refuting argument: Disagreeing with the claim Qualifying argument: Agreeing with the statement, but only under certain circumstances or for a different reason this one is the most challenging

Steps 2 & 3: Read Prompt & Skim Materials Step 2: Read the prompt and consider the question. o Determine your opinion. (It is best to read for a purpose finding claims with which you agree and disagree). o It might be worth your time to consider possible ideas before reading. Step 3: Skim the materials and familiarize yourself with what others have written about the topic by reading the sources provided. Formulate your own thesis. You might be asked an agree/disagree question or perhaps to give a list of ideas, such as what is most important to consider in a given situation.

Your Turn Go through steps 2 & 3 - Read through the sources - Formulate your opinion

Step 4: Annotate the Readings & Create a Chart You should critically mark and annotate the passage (and possibly create a chart) by identifying three things: 1. What is the point of view, claim, or information offered? 2. Are there any quotables particularly succinct (short; concise) or stimulating phrases you can use? As you read, briefly list claims/information/facts in your chart that are deemed important. Place the sources of that information in parentheses. You are looking for three good ones. 3. Do you plan to use the piece or a portion of it to support your argument in some way? Look for points that you agree with as well as points with which you disagree. Some sources can contain multiple useful facts or claims ones that could be listed on either side of your chart. Remember, addressing the opposition is central to effective argumentation.

Step 5: Question the Sources What are the claims made by the writers? Do not just accept what the writer writes as truth. It is your job to evaluate the sources and the claims. Do you note any logical fallacies, unsupported claims, and/or bias? You can determine this by looking at the source itself an article from Christian Century will have some inherent biases. What position does the author hold? Determine if the author is for, against, or neutral about the topic. What does the writer assume to be true, and is it true? For what audience is the author writing? Identify the target audience for the piece: women, men, businesspeople, etc. Look at any charts and statistics. Do they represent any numerical changes? What is the presumed cause of any change? Might there be other causes? Does the source s date of publication have an effect on the relevance of the argument? A passage written in 1975 about advertising is likely to be out of date today.

Your Turn Go through steps 4 & 5 - Read through the sources again to find information to support your side and also the opposing side - Write down quotes (with citations afterwards) & figures - Evaluate sources and information as you create your chart

Step Six: Reviewing Information Review your chart. Select the ideas/concepts that you will use to support your opinion. If appropriate, plan to address the opposition. You can do this in one paragraph. This paragraph should address the opposition s views and explain why you ultimately disagree with his or her position.

Step Seven: Writing the Essay Introduction Open with an engaging hook. Identify/clarify the issue at hand. Present a clear, direct thesis statement.

Body paragraphs Topic sentence: Give one reason in support of your thesis. Explain as necessary Present specific supporting evidence (quotations from the provided sources but you may also bring in other evidence). The writer explains the significance of the specific supporting evidence (what does the evidence show or suggest as true?) Make sure all sources are documented.

Concluding paragraph Draw further significance from the reasons and evidence presented. Bring the paper to a thoughtful ending. (Be philosophical! Show your wisdom!)

Your Turn Outline your paper - Write down ideas for each paragraph & include the quotations that you have selected as your evidence.

In Summary Understand the prompt Consider your opinion of the topic. Read the source material. Annotate Chart your findings. Decipher the authors claims. Quote and cite interesting source material. Formulate your thesis. Begin writing Your thesis must be clear and direct! Your introduction should hook your reader. You should provide a paragraph (when appropriate) to address the opposition.

In Summary The Body paragraphs Create strong topic sentences. Give one reason in support of your thesis. Explain as necessary. Present supporting evidence. Be sure to DOCUMENT ALL SOURCES! Explain what the evidence shows or suggests as true. DO NOT interpret the source material. The Concluding Paragraph Bring the paper to a thoughtful ending. Your reader should be able to recall the important information you gave in your paper. Draw further significance from the reasons and evidence presented. Be philosophical & show your wisdom.

Common Problems Do not put in so many quotes that the grader cannot find your argument. Not taking a clear position or wavering between positions. Substituting a thesis-oriented expository essay for an argumentative essay. Being reluctant to engage in verbal combat because everyone s entitled to his or her own opinion, so there s nothing to argue about. Slipping out of focus, digressing into a tangential topic that does not aid the writer s argument. Misreading sources. Alluding to sources instead of citing them. Lacking development or organization. Providing a weak link between argument and sources. Displaying an immature control of writing, syntax, and mechanics. Offering vague generalizations. Simply summarizing the sources.

Common Problems Summarizing Explaining Arguing Your paper will sound very much like the three of four resources you ve chosen. You will be retelling what you learned from an article, excerpt, or a chart. Your reader will not be able to tell what you think. In a way, you are acting like a photocopier. Your paper will sound like you are trying to get your reader to understand the various resources. You are showing what you have learned, but you do not have a point of view. You may even cite parts of an article to show what you mean, but all you are doing is illuminating someone else s ideas. You are acting like a tutor or museum tour guide. Your thesis sets up your own position, one with which someone else might disagree. You have taken a stance. Your essay will have several (three or four) reasons why what you say is true. Your reader will be able to find these points easily. You are a critical thinker and persuasive writer. You are acting as an influential leader who hopes to change the minds of his or her readers.