Writing the Synthesis Essay |
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![]() AP Language Synthesis Research Assignment (Sandy Jameson) -- Complete packet for students to develop their own synthesis essay prompts and sources as a group project and includes suggested topics. Then, within the group each individual develops an annotated bibliography and writes a sample response. As a group, students complete a synthesis essay assignment, pooling all the best resources. Finishes off with a reflection on the research process. Synthesis Essay Packet for Researched Argument (Margaret Lee) -- Assignment focuses on developing the prompt and preparing seven one-page sources. Synthesis Package Assignment -- My version of above assignments, adapted for pre-AP English sophomores. Synthesis Prompt Template (Eileen Bach) -- Already formatted like the College Board prompt in Word format.
Synthesis Prompt Template (Rolf Gunnar) -- Already formatted like the College Board prompt in Word format. Synthesis Prompt Template (Timm Freitas) -- Already formatted like the College Board prompt in Word format.
DBQ Template -- form for analyzing sources.
![]() Rubrics & Scoring Guides
![]() Publishers People’s Publishing has two titles focused specifically on the Synthesis prompt --Writing the Synthesis Essayand Analysis, Argument, and Synthesis Samplers. |
Prepared Essay Packets (41)* Generous teachers and their students have shared synthesis prompts they have developed. Quality and difficulty of the packets varies, but all follow the College Board format. When known, teachers are named on the materials. A special thanks to Jodi Rice and Eileen Bach for collecting and sharing many of these.
*Eight packets have been removed from this website at the request of the unattributed original developers, the Los Altos High School English Department (Animals in Captivity, Celebrity Role Models, Food We Eat, Freedom of Speech, Gun Control, NCAA Athletes, Teens and Technology, and Youth Violence and the Prison System). |
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DBQs: Data-Based Question
DBQ & Synthesis Matrix -- compares both formats.
Writing the DBQ handouts from several teachers. Similar but different enough to make each worth viewing. DBQ Questions and DBQ Main Page offer sample DBQ prompts. Revolution of 1989 in Germany cleverly sets up an online DBQ, rubric and all. |
Websites New York Times “Room for Debate” -- The Times invites four or five knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Promotes debate through writer selection. Excellent source for opposing opinions on current events, whether you or your students are the ones designing the prompt packet. I would suggest that only two of your sources should come from this reference. New York Times “300 Questions and Images to Inspire Argument Writing” -- excellent practice for the synthesis essay.
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College Board Special Focus Materials: Using Sources Articles from the College Board website --
PowerPoints & Prezis Writing the AP Synthesis Essay -- Prezi by Debra Kendall. Visual, Persuasive, and Rhetorical Analysis -- Prezi by Ingrid Rodriguez. An In-Depth Look at the Synthesis Essay Question -- PowerPoint by Randi Lundgren. Sample Synthesis Essay Question -- Television draft prompt from 2007 annotated. |
Videos OK, so I am a Matthew Singleton fan. Someone else talking...and talking well.
Other videographers -- “Introduction to the Synthesis Essay” from Educator.com. “The Synthesis Essay” by Ms. Boeckle. |
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New Zombie Apocalypse has a massive fourteen sources. You can pick and choose! Zombie Apocalypse Practice focuses on three sources and a de-briefing (Marla Delapenha). Zombie Apocalypse Alternative Sources introduces eight refreshingly different sources. Two Sample Student Essays shared because they are instructive of good synthesis and research writing.
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Just for Fun -- Google Zombie Apocalypse Infographic! |
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Updated 21 March 2022.