Mastering the AP Language Synthesis Essay: What You Need to Know and Do

How To Write An Ap Language Essay

How to Write an AP Language Essay

Have you ever wondered what it takes to write a perfect synthesis essay for the AP language exam? If you're planning to take this challenging test, you might already know that 55% of your overall exam score will be based on three essays. The first of these essays is called the \"synthesis essay,\" and it requires you to integrate a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written argument. But how do you do that? And what is the value of striving for perfection in your writing?

In this article, we'll explain the different aspects of the AP language synthesis essay, including what skills you need to demonstrate in your response, how to organize your essay, and how to use sources effectively. We'll also give you some tips and tricks to help you ace this portion of the AP language exam. By the end of this article, you'll be ready to write a synthesis essay that showcases your best writing skills and earns you a high score.

What is a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay is a type of essay that asks you to analyze a topic from multiple perspectives and synthesize information from various sources into a coherent argument. The AP language synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the free response section of the AP language exam. The exam presents six to seven sources that are organized around a specific topic (like alternative energy or eminent domain, which are both past synthesis exam topics). Of these six to seven sources, at least two are visual, including at least one quantitative source (like a graph or pie chart, for example). The remaining four to five sources are print text-based, and each one contains approximately 500 words.

In addition to six to seven sources, the AP language exam provides a written prompt that consists of three paragraphs. The prompt will briefly explain the essay topic, then present a claim that students will respond to in an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources provided. Here's an example prompt provided by the College Board:

Directions: The following prompt is based on the accompanying six sources.

This question requires you to integrate a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written essay.

Refer to the sources to support your position; avoid mere paraphrase or summary.

Your argument should be central; the sources should support this argument.

Remember to attribute both direct and indirect citations.

Introduction

Television has been influential in United States presidential elections since the 1960's. But just what is this influence, and how has it affected who is elected?

Your task is to write an essay that argues your position on the value of striving for perfection in your writing. In your response, you should do the following:

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.

• Provide evidence from at least three sources to support your line of reasoning.

• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.

• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Synthesis Essay

The thesis statement is the most important part of your synthesis essay. It tells the reader what your main argument is and how you will support it. A good thesis statement should be clear, concise, and debatable. It should also respond to the prompt and take a position on the value of striving for perfection in your writing.

To write a thesis statement for a synthesis essay, you need to consider the following questions:

• What is the main idea or claim that you want to make in your essay?

• What are the reasons or evidence that support your claim?

• How do the sources relate to your claim and your reasons?

Based on these questions, you can formulate a thesis statement that summarizes your argument and indicates how you will use the sources to support it. For example, here is a possible thesis statement for the prompt above:

Striving for perfection in writing is a valuable goal that can improve one's communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and academic performance. By analyzing how television has influenced presidential elections in the United States, this essay will demonstrate how perfectionism can help writers craft effective arguments, evaluate different perspectives, and present credible evidence.

This thesis statement responds to the prompt by taking a position on the value of striving for perfection in writing. It also provides three reasons or evidence that support this position, and indicates how the sources will be used to illustrate these points.

How to Organize a Synthesis Essay

Once you have a thesis statement, you need to organize your essay into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Here is a suggested outline for a synthesis essay:

Introduction ------------ - Hook the reader with a rhetorical question or a quote - Provide some background information on the AP language exam and the synthesis essay - State the thesis that presents a defensible position on the value of striving for perfection Body paragraphs --------------- - Topic sentence that introduces the main idea of each paragraph - Evidence from at least three sources to support the line of reasoning - Explanation of how the evidence supports the line of reasoning - Transition to the next paragraph Conclusion ---------- - Restate the thesis and summarize the main points - Provide some implications or recommendations for further research or action - End with a memorable statement or a call to action Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay, and it should capture the attention of your reader and introduce your topic and thesis. Here are some tips for writing an effective introduction:

• Start with a hook that engages the reader's interest and curiosity. You can use a rhetorical question, a quote, a statistic, or an anecdote that relates to your topic. For example, you could start with a question like \"What does it mean to be perfect?\" or a quote like \"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence\" by Vince Lombardi.

• Provide some background information on the AP language exam and the synthesis essay. You can briefly explain what the exam is, what skills it assesses, and what the synthesis essay requires. You can also mention some of the past synthesis exam topics and how they relate to your topic. For example, you could say something like \"The AP language exam is designed to test students' ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate information from various sources. One of the essays on this exam is the synthesis essay, which asks students to integrate material from six to seven sources into a coherent argument. Some of the past synthesis exam topics include alternative energy, eminent domain, locavores, monuments, and television.\"

• State your thesis statement that presents a defensible position on the value of striving for perfection in your writing. You can use the thesis statement that you formulated earlier or revise it based on your research. Make sure that your thesis statement is clear, concise, and debatable. For example, you could use the same thesis statement as before or change it slightly: \"Striving for perfection in writing is a valuable goal that can improve one's communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and academic performance. This essay will analyze how television has influenced presidential elections in the United States and show how perfectionism can help writers craft effective arguments, evaluate different perspectives, and present credible evidence.\"

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you develop your argument and provide evidence from at least three sources to support your line of reasoning. Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea that relates to your thesis statement. Here are some tips for writing effective body paragraphs:

statement and how you will use the sources to support it. For example, you could say something like \"One of the benefits of striving for perfection in writing is that it can improve one's communication skills, especially when dealing with complex and controversial topics like television and politics.\"

• Provide evidence from at least three sources to support your line of reasoning. You can use direct quotes, paraphrases, summaries, or data from the sources to illustrate your point. Make sure that you cite the sources correctly using MLA or APA format. You can also use signal phrases to introduce the sources and indicate their credibility and relevance. For example, you could say something like \"According to a study by the Pew Research Center, television remains the most common source of news for Americans, with 75% of adults saying they often get news from TV (Source A). However, television can also have a negative impact on how people perceive political candidates and issues. As Source B argues, television can create a 'pseudo-environment' that distorts reality and manipulates public opinion.\"

• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning. You need to show how the evidence relates to your topic sentence and your thesis statement. You can also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the sources and how they compare or contrast with each other. For example, you could say something like \"This evidence shows that television plays a significant role in shaping how people view and participate in presidential elections. Therefore, writers who strive for perfection in their writing need to be aware of how television can influence their audience and their argument. They need to use clear and precise language, logical and ethical appeals, and reliable and relevant sources to communicate their message effectively.\"

• Use transitions to connect your paragraphs and create a smooth flow of ideas. You can use words or phrases that indicate the relationship between your paragraphs, such as \"in addition,\" \"however,\" \"for example,\" or \"as a result.\" You can also use transitions within your paragraphs to link your sentences and evidence. For example, you could say something like \"In addition to improving one's communication skills, striving for perfection in writing can also enhance one's critical thinking abilities.\"

Conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay, and it should restate your thesis and summarize your main points. It should also provide some implications or recommendations for further research or action. Here are some tips for writing an effective conclusion:

• Restate your thesis statement using different words. You can also restate your main points briefly to remind the reader of your argument. For example, you could say something like \"Striving for perfection in writing is a valuable goal that can help writers improve their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and academic performance.\"

• Provide some implications or recommendations for further research or action. You can explain why your argument matters and what consequences or benefits it has for yourself, your audience, or society. You can also suggest some ways to apply your argument or some questions for future research. For example, you could say something like \"By striving for perfection in writing, writers can not only achieve higher scores on the AP language exam, but also become more informed and engaged citizens who can contribute to democratic debates and decisions. Therefore, writers should continue to practice their writing skills and seek feedback from others. They should also explore different sources and perspectives on various topics and issues, especially those related to television and politics.\"

• End with a memorable statement or a call to action. You can use a rhetorical question, a quote, a statistic, or an anecdote that relates to your topic and reinforces your argument. You can also invite the reader to take some action or change their attitude based on your argument. For example, you could end with a quote like \"The true perfection of man lies not in what man has, but in what man is\" by Oscar Wilde.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about writing an AP language essay:

QuestionAnswer

How long should an AP language essay be?There is no set length for an AP language essay, but most high-scoring essays are at least two full pages of writing.

How many sources should I use in my synthesis essay?You should use at least three sources in your synthesis essay, but you can use more if you want.

How do I cite the sources in my synthesis essay?You can use either MLA or APA format to cite the sources in your synthesis essay. You should also use signal phrases and parenthetical citations to attribute both direct and indirect quotes.

How do I avoid plagiarism in my synthesis essay?You can avoid plagiarism by using your own words and ideas, citing the sources correctly, and using quotation marks for direct quotes.

How do I prepare for the AP language exam?You can prepare for the AP language exam by reading and analyzing different types of texts, practicing your writing skills, and taking practice tests.