Synthesis FRQ

Steps for writing a synthesis essay

100

List and explain three steps that are important for writing a synthesis essay.

1. Closely read all the source materials- make sure to read through all materials and briefly summarize 2. Analyze the source materials- analyze the arguement each source is making 3. Generalize the potential stands you could take on the issue- which position you want to take and why, keep an open mind 4. Imagine presenting each of your positions on the issue to each of the authors of the provided sources- create an imaginary conversation b/t you and the authors, think if the author would agree/disagree/qualify 5. Take a stand- consider the position you will take on the topic; the position should be 'for' or 'against' or 'qualified' 6. Pick a tone- tone helps to guide your readers to hear your voice and position on the topic 7. Select quotations- select quotations for and against your position from at least 3 different sources 8. Decide on your evidence- List three pieces of evidence you will be bringing to the essay 9. Outline your essay- Use your position, selected quotes, and personal evidence to outline your essay. 10. Write your essay- Use as many paragraphs as necessary to persuade your audience. You still need an intro and conclusion.

200

All of the following can be effective when writing your synthesis essay except... A. Using clear and concise evidence B. Paraphrasing the information of the sources C. Using a thesis statement correctly D. To use numerous quotes from a few sources

D. Using (brief) quotes from at least three different sources demonstrates that one utilized the sources, and is something that AP graders like to see.

300

Use at least ___ brief quotations (__ against your position and __ for your position) from at least three/four different sources.

4, 1, 3

400

Explain what it means to be 'for', 'against', or 'qualified' in your position. Give an example for each position.

For- to be in agreement with the prompt; to defend Against- to be in disagreement with the prompt; to argue against Qualify- modify, limit, or restrict your agreement or disagreement by presenting exceptions. You might limit your agreement by supporting some of the writer’s ideas but asserting some opposing ideas as well. Or, you might limit your disagreement by refuting some of the writer’s ideas but supporting some aspects of the writer’s position.

Tone in a synthesis essay

100

Why is tone important in a synthesis essay?

Tone is important because intentional tone is evidence of a mature writer, and helps the audience hear the speaker's voice on the claim/position that they take.

200

Name 3 examples of different tyes of tone.

ex: humorous, objective, subjective, alarmist, folksy, enthusiastic, satiric, balanced, nostalgic, playful, critical, appreciative, serious, partriotic, urgent, disdainful, skeptical, respectful, etc.

300

Describe the type of tone in the following sentences: 1. And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I don’t know why they died, they just died. Something wrong with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the nursery wasn’t the best. We complained about it. So we’ve got thirty kids there, each kid had his or her own little tree to plant and we’ve got these thirty dead trees. All these kids looking at these little brown sticks, it was depressing.- The School (Donald Barthelme) 2. There was a steaming mist in all the hollows, and it had roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none. A clammy and intensely cold mist, it made its slow way through the air in ripples that visibly followed and overspread one another, as the waves of an unwholesome sea might do. It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps but these its own workings, and a few yards of road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into it, as if they had made it all.- A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens) 3. The way I look at it, someone needs to start doing something about disease. What’s the big deal? People are dying. But the average person doesn’t think twice about it until it affects them. Or someone they know.

1. negative, unhappy 2. mysterious, secretive, ominous, or evil 3. casual (as opposed to formal tone)

400

Decide if the sentece uses an informal or formal tone: 1. He checked up on accountant. 1. He investigated his accountant. 2. She understood very quickly. 2. She caught on very quickly. 3. The cost of living went up 3. The cost of living increased/rose.

1. informal 1. formal 2. formal 2. informal 3. informal 3. formal

Practice synthesis essay

100

Explain where a thesis should be in a synthesis essay and why it is important.

ex: A thesis should be in the intro paragraph, and it is important because it is your claim and position in the essay.

200

Which of the following is not a step that is followed when writing a sythesis essay? A. To write a rebuttal B. To categorize the sources C. To develop an arguement D. To find sources that support your arguement

A. To write a rebuttal

300

When creating a counter-argument, which of the following help make your essay more effective? A. To use a counter-argument that does not overpower your position on the subject matter B. To think about why the sources opposes your position on the topic C. All of the above D. None of the above

C. All of the above

400

Brainstorm a thesis that is for, against, and qualifies the following statement: Students that are homeschooled succeed more so than students in public/private schools.

For: Against: Qualifies:

Synthesis Essay Tips/Miscellaneous

100

What is a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay is a written work that takes a unique viewpoint about a central idea, theme, or topic, and backs it up with a combination of multiple sources.

200

To begin writing a synthesis essay, one should always ______ ___ _______.

analyze the prompt- make sure you know what the prompt is saying and the position it is taking.

300

When developing a synthesis essay, at least how many different sources must be referenced to get full credit?

Three (3)

400

Which of the following is the most effective way to reference a source in your synthesis essay? A. ' ...' (author's last name). B. According to source A... C. There needs to be no reference, since the sources are also given to the person who grades the essay.

Answer: B