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CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

Draw further significance from the

reasons and evidence presented.

STEP THREE:

QUESTION! QUESTION! QUESTION!

Review your chart. Select the ideas/concepts that you will use to support your opinion.

Bring the paper to a thoughtful ending. (Be philosophical! Show your wisdom!)

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.

Sample prompt 2011

Question! Question! Question!

WRITING THE ESSAY

Do not just accept what the writer writes as truth. It is your job to evaluate the sources and the claims!

Introduction:

Open with an engaging hook.

Identify/clarify the issue at hand.

Background:Locavores are people who have decided to eat locally grown or produced products as much as possible. With an eye to nutrition as well as sustainability (resource use that preserves the environment), the locavore movement has become widespread over the past decade.

Prompt: Imagine that a community is considering organizing a locavore movement. Carefully read the following seven sources including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize information from at least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that identifies the key issues associated with the locavore movement and examines their implications for the community.

Make sure that your argument is central; use the sources to illustrate and support your reasoning. Avoid merely summarizing the sources. Indicate clearly which sources you are drawing from, whether through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary.

You may cite the sources as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the descriptions in parentheses.

Source A (Maiser)

SourceB (SmithandMacKinnon)

Source C (McWilliams)

Source D (chart)

Source E (Gogoi)

Source F (Roberts)

Source G (cartoon)

Present a clear, direct thesis statement.

Definition:

“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.

Step One:

Read the prompt.

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Consider the question.

Topic sentence:

Give one reason in support of your thesis.

Determine your opinion.

(It is best to read for a purpose—finding claims with which you agree and disagree.)

It might be worth your time to consider

possible ideas before reading.

Explain as necessary.

Process of synthesis writing:

Present specific supporting evidence

(quotations from the provided sources—but

you may also bring in other evidence).

Develop your own original idea, or thesis, based on the sources provided.

Assemble ideas from the various sources. AP usually requires that you use THREE sources.

The writer explains the significance of the specific

supporting evidence (e.g., what does the evidence

show or suggest as true?)

The AP Synthesis Essay requires you to use three sources. You will lose points if you use less, but will not earn points for using more.

Make sure all sources are documented.

Use the sources to support or augment your OWN argument. DO NOT summarize the sources and allow those writers to speak for themselves—you are using what they say for your OWN purposes.

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.

What you need to know...

Create an organization chart, such as a T-Chart or the chart that we practiced in class

As you read, briefly list claims/information/facts

in your chart that are deemed important. Place the sources of that information in parentheses.

Remember, some sources can contain multiple useful facts or claims—ones that could be listed on either side of your chart.

Step Two: Before Writing

As you read, add ideas to your chart.

Annotate the Readings

Underline or circle key lines or ideas.

Look for quotable claims.

IN SUMMARY

Look for points that you agree with as well as points with which you disagree. *Remember, addressing the opposition is central to effective argumentation.

In general, mark the texts in such a way that you can easily return to them and find exactly what you need.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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!

What are the claims made by the writers?

Do you note any logical fallacies or unsupported claims?

What does the writer assume to be true, and is it true?

Look at any charts and statistics. Are there any numerical changes? What is the presumed cause of any change? Might there be other causes?

Read the materials:

  • Familiarize yourself with what others have written about the topic by reading the sources provided.
  • Formulate your own thesis.
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