How to approach the How to approach the synthesis examsynthesis exam

(Think of it as a research (Think of it as a research essay with all of the research essay with all of the research

done)done)

Entering a “conversation”Entering a “conversation”

►To be successful on the synthesis To be successful on the synthesis portion of the AP Language exam you portion of the AP Language exam you will need to “enter a conversation” with will need to “enter a conversation” with the author’s of the documents and the author’s of the documents and sources. sources.

► In other words, you must acknowledge In other words, you must acknowledge that a debate exists and you must then that a debate exists and you must then become a part of the exchange.become a part of the exchange.

►(Remember what we observed in class (Remember what we observed in class today)today)

#1 – Read the sources #1 – Read the sources CAREFULLY!CAREFULLY!

► Just as we do in analysis, read and Just as we do in analysis, read and annotate the sources carefully.annotate the sources carefully.

►There is an extra 15 minutes on the There is an extra 15 minutes on the exam for you to do this. Take exam for you to do this. Take advantage of it.advantage of it.

► If you misinterpret the document you If you misinterpret the document you may cite incorrect evidence.may cite incorrect evidence.

►Your goal is to understand the claim Your goal is to understand the claim each author/source makes.each author/source makes.

#2 – Analyze each source#2 – Analyze each source

► Here’s some questions to ask as you annotate:Here’s some questions to ask as you annotate: What claim is the source making about the issue?What claim is the source making about the issue? What data or evidence does the source offer in What data or evidence does the source offer in

support of that claim?support of that claim? What are the assumptions/beliefs (explicit or What are the assumptions/beliefs (explicit or

unspoken) that warrant using this type of evidence unspoken) that warrant using this type of evidence or data to support the claim?or data to support the claim?

Don’t forget to look at where the source came from, Don’t forget to look at where the source came from, the date of publication, and where it was published the date of publication, and where it was published (what medium too)(what medium too)

#3 – Finding and establishing a #3 – Finding and establishing a positionposition

►Begin by generalizing in your mind (or Begin by generalizing in your mind (or on paper) your stand on the issue.on paper) your stand on the issue.

►Ask yourself, Ask yourself, ““What are two or three possible positions What are two or three possible positions

on this issue that I could take?” on this issue that I could take?” ““Which of those positions do I really want Which of those positions do I really want

to take?”to take?” ““Why?”Why?”

Keep an open mindKeep an open mind

►Now that you have “entertained” a few Now that you have “entertained” a few questions you MUST keep an open questions you MUST keep an open mind.mind.

► Jumping to quick conclusions could Jumping to quick conclusions could result in oversimplification of the topic.result in oversimplification of the topic.

►All of the synthesis prompts will be All of the synthesis prompts will be based on issues that require careful and based on issues that require careful and critical thinking. They will be nuanced critical thinking. They will be nuanced in nature – not black or white but grey.in nature – not black or white but grey.

►The issues will be complex!The issues will be complex!

#4 – You need to ARGUE! (sort #4 – You need to ARGUE! (sort of)of)

►Create an imaginary conversation Create an imaginary conversation between yourself and each of the between yourself and each of the writers/authors of the sources.writers/authors of the sources.

►““Would the writer agree with your Would the writer agree with your position/claim? Disagree? Why? Would position/claim? Disagree? Why? Would he/she want to qualify it in some way?”he/she want to qualify it in some way?”

►This may sound silly but it is the most This may sound silly but it is the most important step – it is the important step – it is the heartheart of of synthesis.synthesis.

#5 – Now #5 – Now DODO something with something with that conversation!that conversation!

►Based on this imagined conversation Based on this imagined conversation you (the writer) should refine your you (the writer) should refine your thesis statement and sub-claims.thesis statement and sub-claims.

►Your thesis/claim is what will guide Your thesis/claim is what will guide your whole paper. It must be strong your whole paper. It must be strong and central and should appear and central and should appear relatively quickly in your paper. Don’t relatively quickly in your paper. Don’t beat around the bush - make a BOLD beat around the bush - make a BOLD statement.statement.

#6 – The final step#6 – The final step

► It’s time to prove your claim. It’s time to prove your claim. ► Now is the time to incorporate within your own Now is the time to incorporate within your own

argument the conversations you had with each of argument the conversations you had with each of the sources.the sources.

► Try saying things likeTry saying things like ““Source ASource A takes a position similar to mine…” takes a position similar to mine…” ““Source CSource C would refute my ideas but here’s why I maintain would refute my ideas but here’s why I maintain

that they are valid…”that they are valid…” ““Source BSource B offers a slightly different perspective, one that I offers a slightly different perspective, one that I

would alter (qualify) a bit…”would alter (qualify) a bit…”Actually, using the name of the writer/author is better than Actually, using the name of the writer/author is better than

saying “saying “Source ASource A.” Try, “.” Try, “Michaelson Michaelson takes a position takes a position similar to mine when he states…”similar to mine when he states…”

Synthesis is similar to a DBQ but Synthesis is similar to a DBQ but not the samenot the same

►Much like a DBQ you will be analyzing Much like a DBQ you will be analyzing different sources to qualify/argue a different sources to qualify/argue a certain statement.certain statement.

►Reading comprehension is essential on Reading comprehension is essential on both exams.both exams.

►You MUST cite sources in support of a You MUST cite sources in support of a thesis in each exam.thesis in each exam.

SimilaritiesSimilaritiesSynthesisSynthesis DBQDBQ

Use sources to support a Use sources to support a thesisthesis

Uses documents to support a Uses documents to support a thesisthesis

Must cite sourcesMust cite sources Must cite sourcesMust cite sources

Do not simplify argument – no Do not simplify argument – no “laundry list.”“laundry list.”

Do not simplify argument – no Do not simplify argument – no “laundry list.”“laundry list.”

Must enter into a Must enter into a “conversation.”“conversation.”

Must understand the Must understand the complexity of historical issues complexity of historical issues to enter into the to enter into the “conversation.”“conversation.”

Develop a clear, organized Develop a clear, organized argument.argument.

Develop a clear, organized Develop a clear, organized argument.argument.

DifferencesDifferences

SynthesisSynthesis DBQDBQ

Sources provided (primary Sources provided (primary and secondary sources)and secondary sources)

Documents provided (primary Documents provided (primary documents only)documents only)

Outside information not Outside information not required (although it can show required (although it can show insight and voice)insight and voice)

Outside information required.Outside information required.

Must use a minimum of three Must use a minimum of three sourcessources

Must use more than half of the Must use more than half of the documents.documents.

Prompt has three parts: Prompt has three parts: directions, introduction and directions, introduction and assignment.assignment.

Directions with a statement or Directions with a statement or question.question.

The cow is in front of you – it’s The cow is in front of you – it’s just in a different form!just in a different form!