![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)
![](http://charunivedita.online/777/templates/cheerup2/res/banner1.gif)
Choose Your Test
- Search Blogs By Category
- College Admissions
- AP and IB Exams
- GPA and Coursework
How to Write a Perfect Synthesis Essay for the AP Language Exam
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_ashley.png)
Advanced Placement (AP)
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang body-pencil-sharpen-notebook-1](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-pencil-sharpen-notebook-1.jpg?width=500&name=body-pencil-sharpen-notebook-1.jpg)
If you're planning to take the AP Language (or AP Lang) exam , you might already know that 55% of your overall exam score will be based on three essays. The first of the three essays you'll have to write on the AP Language exam is called the "synthesis essay." If you want to earn full points on this portion of the AP Lang Exam, you need to know what a synthesis essay is and what skills are assessed by the AP Lang synthesis essay.
In this article, we'll explain the different aspects of the AP Lang synthesis essay, including what skills you need to demonstrate in your synthesis essay response in order to achieve a good score. We'll also give you a full breakdown of a real AP Lang Synthesis Essay prompt, provide an analysis of an AP Lang synthesis essay example, and give you four tips for how to write a synthesis essay.
Let's get started by taking a closer look at how the AP Lang synthesis essay works!
Synthesis Essay AP Lang: What It Is and How It Works
The AP Lang synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the Free Response section of the AP Lang exam.
The AP Lang synthesis essay portion of the Free Response section lasts for one hour total . This hour consists of a recommended 15 minute reading period and a 40 minute writing period. Keep in mind that these time allotments are merely recommendations, and that exam takers can parse out the allotted 60 minutes to complete the synthesis essay however they choose.
Now, here's what the structure of the AP Lang synthesis essay looks like. 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 Lang 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? Has it made elections fairer and more accessible, or has it moved candidates from pursuing issues to pursuing image?
Read the following sources (including any introductory information) carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support, take a position that defends, challenges, or qualifies the claim that television has had a positive impact on presidential elections.
Refer to the sources as Source A, Source B, etc.; titles are included for your convenience.
Source A (Campbell) Source B (Hart and Triece) Source C (Menand) Source D (Chart) Source E (Ranney) Source F (Koppel)
Like we mentioned earlier, this prompt gives you a topic — which it briefly explains — then asks you to take a position. In this case, you'll have to choose a stance on whether television has positively or negatively affected U.S. elections. You're also given six sources to evaluate and use in your response. Now that you have everything you need, now your job is to write an amazing synthesis essay.
But what does "synthesize" mean, exactly? According to the CollegeBoard, when an essay prompt asks you to synthesize, it means that you should "combine different perspectives from sources to form a support of a coherent position" in writing. In other words, a synthesis essay asks you to state your claim on a topic, then highlight the relationships between several sources that support your claim on that topic. Additionally, you'll need to cite specific evidence from your sources to prove your point.
The synthesis essay counts for six of the total points on the AP Lang exam . Students can receive 0-1 points for writing a thesis statement in the essay, 0-4 based on incorporation of evidence and commentary, and 0-1 points based on sophistication of thought and demonstrated complex understanding of the topic.
You'll be evaluated based on how effectively you do the following in your AP Lang synthesis essay:
Write a thesis that responds to the exam prompt with a defensible position
Provide specific evidence that to support all claims in your line of reasoning from at least three of the sources provided, and clearly and consistently explain how the evidence you include supports your line of reasoning
Demonstrate sophistication of thought by either crafting a thoughtful argument, situating the argument in a broader context, explaining the limitations of an argument
Make rhetorical choices that strengthen your argument and/or employ a vivid and persuasive style throughout your essay.
If your synthesis essay meets the criteria above, then there's a good chance you'll score well on this portion of the AP Lang exam!
If you're looking for even more information on scoring, the College Board has posted the AP Lang Free Response grading rubric on its website. ( You can find it here. ) We recommend taking a close look at it since it includes additional details about the synthesis essay scoring.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang body-chisel-break-apart](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-chisel-break-apart.jpg?width=300&name=body-chisel-break-apart.jpg)
Don't be intimidated...we're going to teach you how to break down even the hardest AP synthesis essay prompt.
Full Breakdown of a Real AP Lang Synthesis Essay Prompt
In this section, we'll teach you how to analyze and respond to a synthesis essay prompt in five easy steps, including suggested time frames for each step of the process.
Step 1: Analyze the Prompt
The very first thing to do when the clock starts running is read and analyze the prompt. To demonstrate how to do this, we'll look at the sample AP Lang synthesis essay prompt below. This prompt comes straight from the 2018 AP Lang exam:
Eminent domain is the power governments have to acquire property from private owners for public use. The rationale behind eminent domain is that governments have greater legal authority over lands within their dominion than do private owners. Eminent domain has been instituted in one way or another throughout the world for hundreds of years.
Carefully read the following six sources, including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize material from at least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies the notion that eminent domain is productive and beneficial.
Your argument should be the focus of your essay. Use the sources to develop your argument and explain the reasoning for it. 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.
On first read, you might be nervous about how to answer this prompt...especially if you don't know what eminent domain is! But if you break the prompt down into chunks, you'll be able to figure out what the prompt is asking you to do in no time flat.
To get a full understanding of what this prompt wants you to do, you need to identify the most important details in this prompt, paragraph by paragraph. Here's what each paragraph is asking you to do:
- Paragraph 1: The prompt presents and briefly explains the topic that you'll be writing your synthesis essay about. That topic is the concept of eminent domain.
- Paragraph 2: The prompt presents a specific claim about the concept of eminent domain in this paragraph: Eminent domain is productive and beneficial. This paragraph instructs you to decide whether you want to defend, challenge, or qualify that claim in your synthesis essay , and use material from at least three of the sources provided in order to do so.
- Paragraph 3: In the last paragraph of the prompt, the exam gives you clear instructions about how to approach writing your synthesis essay . First, make your argument the focus of the essay. Second, use material from at least three of the sources to develop and explain your argument. Third, provide commentary on the material you include, and provide proper citations when you incorporate quotations, paraphrases, or summaries from the sources provided.
So basically, you'll have to agree with, disagree with, or qualify the claim stated in the prompt, then use at least three sources substantiate your answer. Since you probably don't know much about eminent domain, you'll probably decide on your position after you read the provided sources.
To make good use of your time on the exam, you should spend around 2 minutes reading the prompt and making note of what it's asking you to do. That will leave you plenty of time to read the sources provided, which is the next step to writing a synthesis essay.
Step 2: Read the Sources Carefully
After you closely read the prompt and make note of the most important details, you need to read all of the sources provided. It's tempting to skip one or two sources to save time--but we recommend you don't do this. That's because you'll need a thorough understanding of the topic before you can accurately address the prompt!
For the sample exam prompt included above, there are six sources provided. We're not going to include all of the sources in this article, but you can view the six sources from this question on the 2018 AP Lang exam here . The sources include five print-text sources and one visual source, which is a cartoon.
As you read the sources, it's important to read quickly and carefully. Don't rush! Keep your pencil in hand to quickly mark important passages that you might want to use as evidence in your synthesis. While you're reading the sources and marking passages, you want to think about how the information you're reading influences your stance on the issue (in this case, eminent domain).
When you finish reading, take a few seconds to summarize, in a phrase or sentence, whether the source defends, challenges, or qualifies whether eminent domain is beneficial (which is the claim in the prompt) . Though it might not feel like you have time for this, it's important to give yourself these notes about each source so you know how you can use each one as evidence in your essay.
Here's what we mean: say you want to challenge the idea that eminent domain is useful. If you've jotted down notes about each source and what it's saying, it will be easier for you to pull the relevant information into your outline and your essay.
So how much time should you spend reading the provided sources? The AP Lang exam recommends taking 15 minutes to read the sources . If you spend around two of those minutes reading and breaking down the essay prompt, it makes sense to spend the remaining 13 minutes reading and annotating the sources.
If you finish reading and annotating early, you can always move on to drafting your synthesis essay. But make sure you're taking your time and reading carefully! It's better to use a little extra time reading and understanding the sources now so that you don't have to go back and re-read the sources later.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang body-weightlifting-lift-strong](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-weightlifting-lift-strong.png?width=350&name=body-weightlifting-lift-strong.png)
A strong thesis will do a lot of heavy lifting in your essay. (See what we did there?)
Step 3: Write a Strong Thesis Statement
After you've analyzed the prompt and thoroughly read the sources, the next thing you need to do in order to write a good synthesis essay is write a strong thesis statement .
The great news about writing a thesis statement for this synthesis essay is that you have all the tools you need to do it at your fingertips. All you have to do in order to write your thesis statement is decide what your stance is in relationship to the topic provided.
In the example prompt provided earlier, you're essentially given three choices for how to frame your thesis statement: you can either defend, challenge, or qualify a claim that's been provided by the prompt, that eminent domain is productive and beneficial . Here's what that means for each option:
If you choose to defend the claim, your job will be to prove that the claim is correct . In this case, you'll have to show that eminent domain is a good thing.
If you choose to challenge the claim, you'll argue that the claim is incorrect. In other words, you'll argue that eminent domain isn't productive or beneficial.
If you choose to qualify, that means you'll agree with part of the claim, but disagree with another part of the claim. For instance, you may argue that eminent domain can be a productive tool for governments, but it's not beneficial for property owners. Or maybe you argue that eminent domain is useful in certain circumstances, but not in others.
When you decide whether you want your synthesis essay to defend, challenge, or qualify that claim, you need to convey that stance clearly in your thesis statement. You want to avoid simply restating the claim provided in the prompt, summarizing the issue without making a coherent claim, or writing a thesis that doesn't respond to the prompt.
Here's an example of a thesis statement that received full points on the eminent domain synthesis essay:
Although eminent domain can be misused to benefit private interests at the expense of citizens, it is a vital tool of any government that intends to have any influence on the land it governs beyond that of written law.
This thesis statement received full points because it states a defensible position and establishes a line of reasoning on the issue of eminent domain. It states the author's position (that some parts of eminent domain are good, but others are bad), then goes on to explain why the author thinks that (it's good because it allows the government to do its job, but it's bad because the government can misuse its power.)
Because this example thesis statement states a defensible position and establishes a line of reasoning, it can be elaborated upon in the body of the essay through sub-claims, supporting evidence, and commentary. And a solid argument is key to getting a six on your synthesis essay for AP Lang!
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang Looking for help studying for your AP exam? Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151904284501.png)
Step 4: Create a Bare-Bones Essay Outline
Once you've got your thesis statement drafted, you have the foundation you need to develop a bare bones outline for your synthesis essay. Developing an outline might seem like it's a waste of your precious time, but if you develop your outline well, it will actually save you time when you start writing your essay.
With that in mind, we recommend spending 5 to 10 minutes outlining your synthesis essay . If you use a bare-bones outline like the one below, labeling each piece of content that you need to include in your essay draft, you should be able to develop out the most important pieces of the synthesis before you even draft the actual essay.
To help you see how this can work on test day, we've created a sample outline for you. You can even memorize this outline to help you out on test day! In the outline below, you'll find places to fill in a thesis statement, body paragraph topic sentences, evidence from the sources provided, and commentary :
- Present the context surrounding the essay topic in a couple of sentences (this is a good place to use what you learned about the major opinions or controversies about the topic from reading your sources).
- Write a straightforward, clear, and concise thesis statement that presents your stance on the topic
- Topic sentence presenting first supporting point or claim
- Evidence #1
- Commentary on Evidence #1
- Evidence #2 (if needed)
- Commentary on Evidence #2 (if needed)
- Topic sentence presenting second supporting point or claim
- Topic sentence presenting three supporting point or claim
- Sums up the main line of reasoning that you developed and defended throughout the essay
- Reiterates the thesis statement
Taking the time to develop these crucial pieces of the synthesis in a bare-bones outline will give you a map for your final essay. Once you have a map, writing the essay will be much easier.
Step 5: Draft Your Essay Response
The great thing about taking a few minutes to develop an outline is that you can develop it out into your essay draft. After you take about 5 to 10 minutes to outline your synthesis essay, you can use the remaining 30 to 35 minutes to draft your essay and review it.
Since you'll outline your essay before you start drafting, writing the essay should be pretty straightforward. You'll already know how many paragraphs you're going to write, what the topic of each paragraph will be, and what quotations, paraphrases, or summaries you're going to include in each paragraph from the sources provided. You'll just have to fill in one of the most important parts of your synthesis—your commentary.
Commentaries are your explanation of why your evidence supports the argument you've outlined in your thesis. Your commentary is where you actually make your argument, which is why it's such a critical part of your synthesis essay.
When thinking about what to say in your commentary, remember one thing the AP Lang synthesis essay prompt specifies: don't just summarize the sources. Instead, as you provide commentary on the evidence you incorporate, you need to explain how that evidence supports or undermines your thesis statement . You should include commentary that offers a thoughtful or novel perspective on the evidence from your sources to develop your argument.
One very important thing to remember as you draft out your essay is to cite your sources. The AP Lang exam synthesis essay prompt indicates that you can use generic labels for the sources provided (e.g. "Source 1," "Source 2," "Source 3," etc.). The exam prompt will indicate which label corresponds with which source, so you'll need to make sure you pay attention and cite sources accurately. You can cite your sources in the sentence where you introduce a quote, summary, or paraphrase, or you can use a parenthetical citation. Citing your sources affects your score on the synthesis essay, so remembering to do this is important.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang body-green-arrow-down](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-green-arrow-down.png?width=250&name=body-green-arrow-down.png)
Keep reading for a real-life example of a great AP synthesis essay response!
Real-Life AP Synthesis Essay Example and Analysis
If you're still wondering how to write a synthesis essay, examples of real essays from past AP Lang exams can make things clearer. These real-life student AP synthesis essay responses can be great for helping you understand how to write a synthesis essay that will knock the graders' socks off .
While there are multiple essay examples online, we've chosen one to take a closer look at. We're going to give you a brief analysis of one of these example student synthesis essays from the 2019 AP Lang Exam below!
Example Synthesis Essay AP Lang Response
To get started, let's look at the official prompt for the 2019 synthesis essay:
In response to our society's increasing demand for energy, large-scale wind power has drawn attention from governments and consumers as a potential alternative to traditional materials that fuel our power grids, such as coal, oil, natural gas, water, or even newer sources such as nuclear or solar power. Yet the establishment of large-scale, commercial-grade wind farms is often the subject of controversy for a variety of reasons.
Carefully read the six sources, found on the AP English Language and Composition 2019 Exam (Question 1), including the introductory information for each source. Write an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources and develops your position on the most important factors that an individual or agency should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm.
Source A (photo) Source B (Layton) Source C (Seltenrich) Source D (Brown) Source E (Rule) Source F (Molla)
In your response you should do the following:
- Respond to the prompt with a thesis presents a defensible position.
- Select and use evidence from at least 3 of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses.
- Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
- Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
Now that you know exactly what the prompt asked students to do on the 2019 AP Lang synthesis essay, here's an AP Lang synthesis essay example, written by a real student on the AP Lang exam in 2019:
[1] The situation has been known for years, and still very little is being done: alternative power is the only way to reliably power the changing world. The draw of power coming from industry and private life is overwhelming current sources of non-renewable power, and with dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, it is merely a matter of time before coal and gas fuel plants are no longer in operation. So one viable alternative is wind power. But as with all things, there are pros and cons. The main factors for power companies to consider when building wind farms are environmental boon, aesthetic, and economic factors.
[2] The environmental benefits of using wind power are well-known and proven. Wind power is, as qualified by Source B, undeniably clean and renewable. From their production requiring very little in the way of dangerous materials to their lack of fuel, besides that which occurs naturally, wind power is by far one of the least environmentally impactful sources of power available. In addition, wind power by way of gearbox and advanced blade materials, has the highest percentage of energy retention. According to Source F, wind power retains 1,164% of the energy put into the system – meaning that it increases the energy converted from fuel (wind) to electricity 10 times! No other method of electricity production is even half that efficient. The efficiency and clean nature of wind power are important to consider, especially because they contribute back to power companies economically.
[3] Economically, wind power is both a boon and a bone to electric companies and other users. For consumers, wind power is very cheap, leading to lower bills than from any other source. Consumers also get an indirect reimbursement by way of taxes (Source D). In one Texan town, McCamey, tax revenue increased 30% from a wind farm being erected in the town. This helps to finance improvements to the town. But, there is no doubt that wind power is also hurting the power companies. Although, as renewable power goes, wind is incredibly cheap, it is still significantly more expensive than fossil fuels. So, while it is helping to cut down on emissions, it costs electric companies more than traditional fossil fuel plants. While the general economic trend is positive, there are some setbacks which must be overcome before wind power can take over as truly more effective than fossil fuels.
[4] Aesthetics may be the greatest setback for power companies. Although there may be significant economic and environmental benefit to wind power, people will always fight to preserve pure, unspoiled land. Unfortunately, not much can be done to improve the visual aesthetics of the turbines. White paint is the most common choice because it "[is] associated with cleanliness." (Source E). But, this can make it stand out like a sore thumb, and make the gargantuan machines seem more out of place. The site can also not be altered because it affects generating capacity. Sound is almost worse of a concern because it interrupts personal productivity by interrupting people's sleep patterns. One thing for power companies to consider is working with turbine manufacturing to make the machines less aesthetically impactful, so as to garner greater public support.
[5] As with most things, wind power has no easy answer. It is the responsibility of the companies building them to weigh the benefits and the consequences. But, by balancing economics, efficiency, and aesthetics, power companies can create a solution which balances human impact with environmental preservation.
And that's an entire AP Lang synthesis essay example, written in response to a real AP Lang exam prompt! It's important to remember AP Lang exam synthesis essay prompts are always similarly structured and worded, and students often respond in around the same number of paragraphs as what you see in the example essay response above.
Next, let's analyze this example essay and talk about what it does effectively, where it could be improved upon, and what score past exam scorers awarded it.
To get started on an analysis of the sample synthesis essay, let's look at the scoring commentary provided by the College Board:
- For development of thesis, the essay received 1 out of 1 possible points
- For evidence and commentary, the essay received 4 out of 4 possible points
- For sophistication of thought, the essay received 0 out of 1 possible points.
This means that the final score for this example essay was a 5 out of 6 possible points . Let's look more closely at the content of the example essay to figure out why it received this score breakdown.
Thesis Development
The thesis statement is one of the three main categories that is taken into consideration when you're awarded points on this portion of the exam. This sample essay received 1 out of 1 total points.
Now, here's why: the thesis statement clearly and concisely conveys a position on the topic presented in the prompt--alternative energy and wind power--and defines the most important factors that power companies should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm.
Evidence and Commentary
The second key category taken into consideration when synthesis exams are evaluated is incorporation of evidence and commentary. This sample received 4 out of 4 possible points for this portion of the synthesis essay. At bare minimum, this sample essay meets the requirement mentioned in the prompt that the writer incorporate evidence from at least three of the sources provided.
On top of that, the writer does a good job of connecting the incorporated evidence back to the claim made in the thesis statement through effective commentary. The commentary in this sample essay is effective because it goes beyond just summarizing what the provided sources say. Instead, it explains and analyzes the evidence presented in the selected sources and connects them back to supporting points the writer makes in each body paragraph.
Finally, the writer of the essay also received points for evidence and commentary because the writer developed and supported a consistent line of reasoning throughout the essay . This line of reasoning is summed up in the fourth paragraph in the following sentence: "One thing for power companies to consider is working with turbine manufacturing to make the machines less aesthetically impactful, so as to garner greater public support."
Because the writer did a good job consistently developing their argument and incorporating evidence, they received full marks in this category. So far, so good!
Sophistication of Thought
Now, we know that this essay received a score of 5 out of 6 total points, and the place where the writer lost a point was on the basis of sophistication of thought, for which the writer received 0 out of 1 points. That's because this sample essay makes several generalizations and vague claims where it could have instead made specific claims that support a more balanced argument.
For example, in the following sentence from the 5th paragraph of the sample essay, the writer misses the opportunity to state specific possibilities that power companies should consider for wind energy . Instead, the writer is ambiguous and non-committal, saying, "As with most things, wind power has no easy answer. It is the responsibility of the companies building them to weigh the benefits and consequences."
If the writer of this essay was interested in trying to get that 6th point on the synthesis essay response, they could consider making more specific claims. For instance, they could state the specific benefits and consequences power companies should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm. These could include things like environmental impacts, economic impacts, or even population density!
Despite losing one point in the last category, this example synthesis essay is a strong one. It's well-developed, thoughtfully written, and advances an argument on the exam topic using evidence and support throughout.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang body-number-four-post-it-note](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-number-four-post-it-note.jpg?width=217&name=body-number-four-post-it-note.jpg)
4 Tips for How to Write a Synthesis Essay
AP Lang is a timed exam, so you have to pick and choose what you want to focus on in the limited time you're given to write the synthesis essay. Keep reading to get our expert advice on what you should focus on during your exam.
Tip 1: Read the Prompt First
It may sound obvious, but when you're pressed for time, it's easy to get flustered. Just remember: when it comes time to write the synthesis essay, read the prompt first !
Why is it so important to read the prompt before you read the sources? Because when you're aware of what kind of question you're trying to answer, you'll be able to read the sources more strategically. The prompt will help give you a sense of what claims, points, facts, or opinions to be looking for as you read the sources.
Reading the sources without having read the prompt first is kind of like trying to drive while wearing a blindfold: you can probably do it, but it's likely not going to end well!
Tip 2: Make Notes While You Read
During the 15-minute reading period at the beginning of the synthesis essay, you'll be reading through the sources as quickly as you can. After all, you're probably anxious to start writing!
While it's definitely important to make good use of your time, it's also important to read closely enough that you understand your sources. Careful reading will allow you to identify parts of the sources that will help you support your thesis statement in your essay, too.
As you read the sources, consider marking helpful passages with a star or check mark in the margins of the exam so you know which parts of the text to quickly re-read as you form your synthesis essay. You might also consider summing up the key points or position of each source in a sentence or a few words when you finish reading each source during the reading period. Doing so will help you know where each source stands on the topic given and help you pick the three (or more!) that will bolster your synthesis argument.
Tip 3: Start With the Thesis Statement
If you don't start your synthesis essay with a strong thesis statement, it's going to be tough to write an effective synthesis essay. As soon as you finish reading and annotating the provided sources, the thing you want to do next is write a strong thesis statement.
According to the CollegeBoard grading guidelines for the AP Lang synthesis essay, a strong thesis statement will respond to the prompt— not restate or rephrase the prompt. A good thesis will take a clear, defensible position on the topic presented in the prompt and the sources.
In other words, to write a solid thesis statement to guide the rest of your synthesis essay, you need to think about your position on the topic at hand and then make a claim about the topic based on your position. This position will either be defending, challenging, or qualifying the claim made in the essay's prompt.
The defensible position that you establish in your thesis statement will guide your argument in the rest of the essay, so it's important to do this first. Once you have a strong thesis statement, you can begin outlining your essay.
Tip 4: Focus on Your Commentary
Writing thoughtful, original commentary that explains your argument and your sources is important. In fact, doing this well will earn you four points (out of a total of six)!
AP Lang provides six to seven sources for you on the exam, and you'll be expected to incorporate quotations, paraphrases, or summaries from at least three of those sources into your synthesis essay and interpret that evidence for the reader.
While incorporating evidence is very important, in order to get the extra point for "sophistication of thought" on the synthesis essay, it's important to spend more time thinking about your commentary on the evidence you choose to incorporate. The commentary is your chance to show original thinking, strong rhetorical skills, and clearly explain how the evidence you've included supports the stance you laid out in your thesis statement.
To earn the 6th possible point on the synthesis essay, make sure your commentary demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the source material, explains this nuanced understanding, and places the evidence incorporated from the sources in conversation with each other. To do this, make sure you're avoiding vague language. Be specific when you can, and always tie your commentary back to your thesis!
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang body-person-arrows-next](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/body-person-arrows-next.jpg?width=400&name=body-person-arrows-next.jpg)
What's Next?
There's a lot more to the AP Language exam than just the synthesis essay. Be sure to check out our expert guide to the entire exam , then learn more about the tricky multiple choice section .
Is the AP Lang exam hard...or is it easy? See how it stacks up to other AP tests on our list of the hardest AP exams .
Did you know there are technically two English AP exams? You can learn more about the second English AP test, the AP Literature exam, in this article . And if you're confused about whether you should take the AP Lang or AP Lit test , we can help you make that decision, too.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151856191907.png)
Trending Now
How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League
How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA
How to Write an Amazing College Essay
What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?
ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?
When should you take the SAT or ACT?
Get Your Free
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)
Find Your Target SAT Score
Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests
How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer
Score 800 on SAT Math
Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing
How to Improve Your Low SAT Score
Score 600 on SAT Math
Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing
Find Your Target ACT Score
Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests
How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer
Get a 36 on ACT English
Get a 36 on ACT Math
Get a 36 on ACT Reading
Get a 36 on ACT Science
How to Improve Your Low ACT Score
Get a 24 on ACT English
Get a 24 on ACT Math
Get a 24 on ACT Reading
Get a 24 on ACT Science
Stay Informed
Get the latest articles and test prep tips!
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)
Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.
Ask a Question Below
Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!
AP ® Lang teachers: looking to help your students improve their rhetorical analysis essays?
Coach Hall Writes
clear, concise rhetorical analysis instruction.
How to Write a Synthesis Essay Conclusion
November 2, 2022 by Beth Hall
If you’re taking the AP ® Lang exam, you might be wondering if a synthesis essay conclusion is even necessary. You also might be wondering how to write a synthesis essay conclusion. The answer to the first question is it depends. Keep reading to find out why.
Priorities When Writing a Synthesis Essay Conclusion
Before you even attempt to write a conclusion for synthesis essays, it is crucial to make sure you do other aspects first. This is because the conclusion is not necessary. Simply put, it is not part of the rubric. Think of your exam essay more as a rough draft, and sometimes we do not get time to write the conclusion at this point. That’s okay! You are under a lot of stress, so the priority needs to be on the aspects within the rubric, especially the evidence and commentary in your body paragraphs.
Before attempting the synthesis essay conclusion, be sure you’ve clearly cited 3 of the provided sources. This is the only way to score within the higher numbers for the evidence and commentary row. For more guidance on writing the body of the synthesis essay, be sure to read How to Write a Synthesis Essay. This blog post outlines the entire writing process to help you earn the best score possible.
Additionally, you want to be sure that you have well-developed body paragraphs. If you have to choose between writing more in your body paragraphs or writing a conclusion, typically, it will be helpful to focus on the body paragraphs. This is because your body paragraphs contain evidence and commentary, which are 4 of the possible 6 points on the rubric.
To Write or Not To Write a Synthesis Essay Conclusion?
After finishing the body paragraphs, you want to check the remaining time. Ask yourself: Do I have enough time to write a conclusion? If you have at least three sources and your body paragraphs are strong, it is time to begin the conclusion.
When writing a conclusion paragraph for synthesis essays, some students will restate the thesis. This is fine–just make sure you don’t copy it verbatim. Others might worry that the original thesis was not defensible and want to have a stronger conclusion. This means they come up with a stronger thesis as they conclude the essay.
Developing Your Synthesis Conclusion
When working on your synthesis essay conclusion, you may want to develop your conclusion beyond just restating your thesis. Here are some questions to consider to help you develop your synthesis essay conclusion paragraph:
- Who is helped or harmed by the issue? In other words, who benefits and who is at a disadvantage?
- What are the short-term and long-term societal implications of this issue?
- Why does this issue really matter?
- Why is this issue relevant on a local, national, or even international level? For this question, you do not have to answer all parts. Which level to focus on depends on the topic itself.
- Do you have any outside knowledge you could connect to the issue to show why it is essential?
- How does the issue connect to the future? For example, you can even include personal experience to help show why the topic matters. Then, you can include why this topic is important to the future.
Answering any of these questions within the conclusion of the synthesis essay helps you offer deeper insight, possibly situation the issue in a broader context.
Another possible way to end your synthesis essay conclusion is a call to action. This is when you challenge your audience to go and do something. You want to encourage people to act. This may be the reader, or it may be parents, educators, politicians, and businesses. However, it is important to remember this is not appropriate for every essay and prompt. It is a tool to have in your toolbox in case it works for the prompt on exam day. You want to use it sparingly and thoughtfully.
If applicable, you can also make note relevant personal experience or observations in your conclusion to help address why this issue or topic matters in the real-world, beyond what the provided sources say.
Writing the Conclusion
When learning how to write a synthesis essay conclusion, it is important to avoid the phrases “in conclusion,” “all in all,” or “to sum it up.” Those are a little bit too simple. When leading into the conclusion paragraph, I recommend something like “When considering…” and then going into the topic. After, incorporate something like “It becomes clear/apparent/evident that…” and re-elaborate on your stance. Then, wrap everything up with strong concluding words, such as “Therefore” or “Thus.” As you write, remember it is okay to use language from the prompt!
When it comes time to write the synthesis essay, focus on the body paragraphs and sources. You are graded against a rubric, so you want to give yourself the best chance at a high score. However, you also want to know how to write a synthesis essay conclusion. While this is not a requirement, it is a great way to create a solid ending to your essay should you have the time.
To hear more about how to write a synthesis essay conclusion, be sure to watch Synthesis Essay Conclusion Tips !
AP® Lang Teachers
Looking to help your students improve their rhetorical analysis essays?
[…] For more tips on the conclusion, check out How to Write a Synthesis Essay Conclusion. […]
Latest on Instagram
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://i0.wp.com/coachhallwrites.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?ssl=1)
Shop My TPT Store
How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e5d43546b94f97f39c228fa/664584fe87188723dd6f7a83_Adam%20Jason.webp)
AP Lang test is the logical conclusion to the introductory college English composition course. And its most important (and often difficult) part is the AP Lang synthesis essay. Despite it being the very basic layer of your future composition skills, it’s a very complicated challenge to approach unprepared. Besides, it's details may change year to year. So let’s have a look with our coursework writing services team at what your AP Lang exam 2022 might look like.
What is AP Lang?
AP Lang is a relatively lengthy test. There are several AP rubrics that a student must be well-versed in to hope to pass it. The first section includes reading and writing, while the second is slightly more freeform and includes three different types of essays.
Among those three, the most interesting and, coincidentally, oftentimes the hardest to deal with is the AP Lang synthesis essay rubric. Today will focus on it specifically to make sure you know exactly what you’re going to be facing during your test.
What Is a Synthesis Essay AP Lang?
At its core, the AP Lang synthesis essay is a pretty straightforward part of the AP Lang test. It might look pretty similar to the reading section of the exam. However, simply finding the right information isn’t enough. When writing a synthesis essay, you should not only gather the data but also distill it into your personal opinion.
This fine line may seem difficult to spot, but it is there. And it’s that small difference that can make or break your exam run. So try to follow the steps one by one and not lose focus. Writing a good synthesis essay is as easy as following the rules. If you feel this task is too difficult for you, you can leave us your ' write an essay for me ' request and we will do it for you.
AP Lang Synthesis Essay Outline
Looking through AP Lang essay examples, you might notice that the overall structure doesn’t really differ too much from your standard essay outline. You have your introduction, your body, and your conclusion. But the important thing to note is where your arguments are supposed to come from.
You’re not supposed to just go off on a rant. The task requires you to base your supporting evidence on at least three sources. And you will have to ensure your essay has solid roots. Here’s what a basic AP Lang exam synthesis essay outline should look like:
- Introduction
Provide sufficient context for the topic you are about to cover. You can do a quick overview of prevailing opinions you have grasped while browsing through your source materials.
Write a short and compelling thesis statement. This will be your ground zero for the rest of the essay. So make sure it reflects your opinion. What is a thesis statement you can read in our special article.
- Body Paragraphs
Dedicate at least one paragraph to every source you’re using. Start with presenting the evidence you have gathered from that source and go on to explain how it formed your opinion on the topic and why it should be considered.
Quickly go through your line of reasoning and reinforce what you have already covered. Finish up with restating your thesis as you’re supposed to logically arrive at it after all the evidence you have presented. That’s how you write a conclusion properly.
Different Forms and Types of Synthesis Essay: Explanatory vs. Argumentative Synthesis Essays
When it comes to writing a synthesis essay AP Lang, there are several types of essays you should consider. The most common ones are the AP Lang argument essay and explanatory essay. The clues as to how each of them should look are hidden within their names but let’s go over them to clear any confusion.
An explanatory essay’s goal is to go over a certain topic, discuss it in detail, and ultimately show a high level of understanding of the said topic. You don’t necessarily have to get into a heated argument with the reader trying to convince them of something. All you need to do is create an impartial overview.
On the other hand, an argumentative essay has to do with personal opinions. And while there is a time and a place for bias, it still has to be as impartial and factual as possible. When proving your point, try not to devolve into emotional arguments but stick to logic and cold truths. This will make your argument way more solid.
Synthesis Essay Structure
In the general case, you don’t really need to look for a synthesis essay AP Lang example to get a solid grasp on how its structure should look like. You can safely fall back on your high school essay writing knowledge, and you’ll be mostly safe.
What you should pay attention to is your writing style and content. A synthesis essay is identified less by its structure and more by the way you form and present your arguments to the reader. It’s when you get a specific essay type (like an argumentative essay) that you should pay attention to slight changes in format.
Argument Essay Structure
The best way to understand argumentative essay structure is to study any well-written AP Lang argument essay example. Standard AP Lang essays have very distinctive features that are very easy to spot and emulate. They follow a very rigid form and employ specific rhetorical devices that you’ll be able to pick up after you analyze them once or twice quickly.
How Many Paragraphs Should an AP Lang Synthesis Essay Be?
The number of paragraphs in an AP Lang synthesis essay can indeed make a difference. Your arguments should be concise and pointed. Spreading them out throughout many paragraphs may seem like a good idea to fill in the space. But it’s actually detrimental to your final score. You can get a basic understanding of what your score is going to be using an AP Lang score calculator.
The same goes for too few paragraphs. Don’t even try to squeeze your entire line of thought into a single body paragraph. Generally, the minimum number of sources you should address is three. Any less, and you are getting a lower score. So try to keep it somewhere in the middle. Three to five body paragraphs is an optimal number. Don’t forget to add an intro and a conclusion to it and you’re all set. A well-written essay has a clear and easily identifiable structure.
How to Write AP Lang Synthesis Essay: Guide
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e5d43546b94f97f39c228fa/6512dd8a1f15318495242763_How%20to%20Write%20the%20AP%20Lang%20Synthesis%20Essay%20%2B%20Essay%20Template%202022.webp)
In order to write a decent essay, all you have to do is follow these simple steps. Performing a rhetorical analysis essay example, AP Lang won’t give you insight into how it was built from the ground up. But looking at this list might.
Step 1. Read the Prompt
It may sound like a no-brainer. But it’s actually more important than you can imagine. Don’t skip right past this step. It’s very easy to misunderstand the task under stress. And if you do slip up in the beginning - the entirety of your work after that is wasted.
Step 2. Analyze the Sources Carefully
The same goes for your sources. Take your time reading them. Try to spot every smallest detail, as even a single one can help you better incorporate your evidence into the body of your essay. You can begin outlining the general points of your essay in your head at this point.
Step 3. Come Up with a Strong Thesis Statement
Your thesis statement is the baseline of your writing. Make it short and clear. Try not to overthink it too much.
Step 4. Fill in Your Essay Outline
Start filling out your outline step by step. You don’t have to go from top to bottom. If you feel like you’re struggling - skip to the next part and return to the problem paragraph later. The use of rhetorical devices AP Lang is also pretty important. So once you flesh out your essay a bit, spend some time trying to come up with the perfect wording.
Step 5. Finalize
The first finished version of your essay is a draft. Don’t be hasty to turn it in. Read over it a couple of times. Make sure everything is in order. You can switch some of the parts around or rewrite some sections if you have the time. Ideally, at this stage you should have enough time to eliminate all grammatical errors that may still be present in your essay. Polish it to perfection.
Useful Tips
Here are some useful tips that might make the writing process a bit easier for you:
- Use either APA or Chicago style to cite your sources
- Have a schedule to understand how much time you have for each section
- Leave as much time as you can for editing and proofreading
- You can never over study the source material. Spend as much time as you can reading into it
- Don’t linger on the surface of your essay subject. Dive in and show your complex understanding of the material
- Avoid using private life anecdotes to support your case unless the essay type specifically allows it. These don’t make for a convincing argument.
- Use as many supporting arguments as you can but make sure they are actually solid and relevant to your thesis
- Check with your thesis from time to time. The entirety of your text should align with it
Need help with academic deadlines?
Falling back on your deadlines? Use our term paper writing services to relieve you while you get back on your feet.
AP Lang Essay Prompts
Here are some interesting prompts. Some of them could be found in the previous iterations of the test; you may have spotted them in some of the AP Lang essay examples. Others are there to help you practice for the AP Lang exam 2022.
- The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, dedicated in 1979, was founded in memory of the president and contained archives pertaining to his administration. On June 24, 1985, then President Ronald Reagan joined members of the Kennedy family at a fundraising event to help the Kennedy Library Foundation create an endowment to fund and support the presidential library. The following is an excerpt from the speech Reagan gave at that event. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Reagan makes to achieve his purpose of paying tribute to John F. Kennedy.
- On August 29, 2009, then-President Barack Obama delivered a eulogy at the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy in Boston, Massachusetts. Kennedy served in the United States Senate from 1962 until his death. Obama served with him in the Senate from 2005 until Obama was elected president in 2008. The following is an excerpt from Obama’s speech. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Obama makes to achieve his purpose of praising and memorializing Kennedy.
- On April 9, 1964, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, who was at the time the First Lady of the United States, gave the following speech at the first-anniversary luncheon of the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit division of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library dedicated to the works of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who passed away in 1962. Read the passage carefully. Write an essay that analyzes the rhetorical choices Johnson makes to achieve her purpose of paying tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt.
In your response, you should do the following:
• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that analyzes the writer’s rhetorical choices.
• Select and use evidence to support your line of reasoning.
• Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
AP Lang Essay Example
Here is a decent if a bit shortened, AP Lang rhetorical analysis essay example you can use for reference.
Literature to Prepare for AP Lang
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e5d43546b94f97f39c228fa/6512ddaa3337a5f5f53a4f17_How%20to%20Write%20the%20AP%20Lang%20Synthesis%20Essay%20%2B%20Essay%20Template%202023.webp)
And here is a list of some great AP Lang books that will help you prepare for the exam. Not all of them are immediately useful, but most will help you enhance your writing and analytical abilities to get a better score in the end.
- The Odyssey
- Don Quixote
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Pride and Prejudice
- Wuthering Heights
- Oliver Twist
- Crime and Punishment
- Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
If you have thoughts of "who could do my paper for me," do not forget that you can contact us. Or, if you have a finished paper and you need to make edits to it, leave us a ' rewrite my essay ' request and we will do it as soon as possible.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang Daniel Parker](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e5d43546b94f97f39c228fa/664585124776bc0664a74017_Daniel%20Parker.webp)
Daniel Parker
is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e5d43546b94f97f39c228fa/664584fe87188723dd6f7a83_Adam%20Jason.webp)
is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang How to Write a Music Essay: Topics and Examples](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e5d43546b94f97f39c228fa/65d49719fcd953275b106bce_A%20Music%20Essay.webp)
![logo-type-white logo-type-white](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/logo-type-white-ojgxgkbcmfce62xfaqbrnrdaj3g030q1rosan6102y.png)
AP® English Language
How to ace the ap® english language and composition synthesis essay.
- The Albert Team
- Last Updated On: March 1, 2022
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang how_to_ace_the_ap_english english language synthesis essay](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/how_to_ace_the_ap_english-english-language-synthesis-essay-1024x585.png)
The newest section of the AP® English Language and Composition Exam, the synthesis essay, is one of three essays you will be completing during the examination’s 2-hour free-response period. However, you’ll also have a 15-minute reading and planning period just for this essay, and if you use this time to plan effectively, you can’t go wrong.
Before we get into specific advice on how to handle the AP® English Language and Composition synthesis essay, you need to know what this part of the test really is. It is very similar to the argumentative essay you will also write as part of this exam, except that you are provided with a wealth of source material from which to draw some support for your ideas.
While this in some ways makes the AP® English Language and Composition synthesis essay easier than the argument essay (because you can use quotations, point to authoritative sources for support, etc.), there is an extra element of complexity, and the AP® readers want to see how well you can sort through your source material and put it to good use – which makes planning all that much more important. This brings us to our first tip…
1. Use Your 15-Minute Planning Period Wisely.
The main purpose of this 15-minute period is to give you time to read the source materials. This essay will present you with several sources providing different information about or opinions on a certain topic. Make sure you don’t just skim them, but read them closely – make notes, underline key sections you may want to quote later, etc.
You should also begin outlining your essay and considering your opinion on the subject; have this opinion in mind before you start writing the essay, as you will use it to construct your thesis.
You’ve already learned how to structure persuasive essays in this class and in other classes you have taken; put that knowledge to good use now, and have your main points set out before you start writing. Try to have a thesis statement written by the time you start the essay – your thesis should establish your opinion and the general reasons you feel this way; the rest of your essay will go on to justify and exemplify these reasons. Also write down some of the main points upon which you will base subsequent paragraphs and mark quotes or sections of the sources you can use in each of these paragraphs.
2. Evaluate Your Sources.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang ap exams score](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ap-exams-score-819x1024.jpg)
Every source you can use for the AP® Language and Composition synthesis essay will have a small box above it explaining where it comes from and who said it – to see exactly what this looks like, check out the free synthesis essay sample questions at AP® Central. There are also public sample questions available there for the rest of the AP® English and Composition Exam .
Keep all information about your sources in mind when you’re quoting them or using them to support your arguments. What journal an article appeared in can say a great deal about its potential biases. For example, consider a question on the environmental impacts of corporate practices – an environmental journal is obviously going to be biased in favor of more environmental regulation, while a report from a company spokesperson will probably gloss over some of the negative impacts of his company. Think critically.
3. Keep Your Tone Consistent.
There is no hard-and-fast advice about what tone you should take – some students try to inject a little humor into their essays while others prefer to be as serious as possible, some are extremely critical and others more accepting. However, the one thing you really have to do while writing the AP® Language and Composition synthesis essay (or any other essay) is keep your tone consistent. Jot some tone-related ideas down as you outline during the 15-minute reading period, and keep in mind everything you’ve learned about tone and other aspects of rhetoric so far this year.
4. Use Rhetorical Technique to Your Advantage!
The various rhetorical practices you’ve been learning about all year can be put to good use here. This class and this test aren’t just about recognizing and analyzing these techniques when others use them, but about preparing you for college and your career by teaching you how to use them effectively yourself. However, this isn’t just about writing a beautiful essay, so read on to Tip # 5!
5. Your Argument Must be Well-Crafted.
The AP® English Language and Composition Exam synthesis essay does not have right or wrong answers; rather, it asks you for your opinion. The AP® Examiner cannot take points off because she disagrees with you. However, you must show logical basis for your opinion, drawing on both the sources AND your own knowledge and experience.
To do this, make sure you have a clear and complete thesis. Make sure the ideas expressed in the beginning of each paragraph or section support the thesis, and that you in turn show how those ideas are supported by a source or through your own knowledge and experience. Don’t generalize or write anything down that you can’t support.
Looking for AP® English Language practice?
Kickstart your AP® English Language prep with Albert. Start your AP® exam prep today .
Interested in a school license?
Popular posts.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang AP® Physics I score calculator](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AP-Physics-I-score-calculator.png)
AP® Score Calculators
Simulate how different MCQ and FRQ scores translate into AP® scores
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screen-Shot-2022-01-21-at-12.42.21-PM-1024x984.png)
AP® Review Guides
The ultimate review guides for AP® subjects to help you plan and structure your prep.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot-2023-03-17-at-10.52.20-AM-1024x548.png)
Core Subject Review Guides
Review the most important topics in Physics and Algebra 1 .
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screen-Shot-2022-01-21-at-12.09.59-PM-1024x936.png)
SAT® Score Calculator
See how scores on each section impacts your overall SAT® score
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screen-Shot-2022-01-21-at-12.10.16-PM-1024x908.png)
ACT® Score Calculator
See how scores on each section impacts your overall ACT® score
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screen-Shot-2022-01-21-at-12.49.09-PM-1024x998.png)
Grammar Review Hub
Comprehensive review of grammar skills
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://www.albert.io/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AP-Posters-1-1024x853.png)
AP® Posters
Download updated posters summarizing the main topics and structure for each AP® exam.
All Subjects
Synthesis Overview
10 min read • june 18, 2024
Justin Nazario
Overview of the Synthesis Question
Section II of the AP English Language and Composition exam includes three free-response questions that you must answer in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
This guide will focus on Question 1 of Section II of the exam, the Synthesis question . As with all AP exams with free-response questions, the Synthesis question has its own rubric and scoring that we will detail later in this guide.
To summarize, however, your essay should include/ demonstrate the following:
- An easy to identify thesis
- Use of three or more of the provided sources
- Explain how the sources used defend the claim in a complex manner
- Writing that is sophisticated and collegiate In the sections that follow, we will go over exactly what each part means. One thing to keep in mind is that the sources you choose should only strengthen your claim-- not step in and be the claim. Avoid overly citing from the sources to the point that your voice takes the backseat.
Luckily, the same skills of sophistication and complexity translate into the other essays you’ll write for this exam. Once you have developed your own voice, the rest is a matter of organization.
As stated before, you have 2 hours and 15 minutes to answer all three of your free-response questions. It seems like a lot, but it flies. To prevent getting behind schedule, it’s important to manage your time wisely.
A good breakdown to consider when pacing yourself is the following:
- 10 min. (to read sources) + 5 min. (planning) + 35 min. (writing) = 50 min.
How to Rock the Synthesis Question: The Rubric
The synthesis question is scored on a six-point rubric, and each point can be earned individually. This means that you can get points in one category, but not in others. It all depends on how well you accomplish each level on the rubric.
The Synthesis Question Rubric
| Criteria | Things to know... | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Thesis/ Claim | 1 | Responds to the prompt with a defensible position that establishes a line of reasoning . | Can occur anywhere in the essay. Answer the Prompt! | | Evidence and Commentary | 4 | Response uses at LEAST 3 of the sources AND provides consistent, complete commentary on the sources | Use the topics to support your thesis! Explain how the sources relate and what they prove! The line of reasoning must be complex and envelope the essay as a whole. Don’t be strong in one area and weak in another! All of the sources should be used with regard to their perspective and claims. | | Sophistication | 1 | The writing in response to the prompt must be complex as well as demonstrate a complete understanding of the rhetorical processes at play. | Craft a complete argument. Nuance is important! Be sure that your writing style is vivid and descriptive, as if you’re persuading the reader to agree with you. |
Your thesis is the statement of your essay that introduces your claim to the reader. This is where you come forward and explicitly say: here is my position on the argument, and here are my reasons for feeling this way. 💭Above all else, you must respond to the prompt in its entirety.
As in most essays, the introduction is recommended to be in the opening paragraph of your essay. ☝If it’s not in the introduction, you run the risk of confusing your reader, but your thesis can be anywhere in your essay. It can be as long as you’d like, so long as you present your main ideas in the order you will be discussing them in.
In order to receive the point, you need to both answer the prompt and present your own argument and claim to said prompt. A simple way to do so is to use words from the prompt to drive your thesis forward, but avoid just restating the thesis without adding your claim . You’ll lose out on the point if you forget to weave your argument into the thesis.
Your thesis and introductory paragraph are really where you introduce your style and voice as a writer. You have the opportunity to speak to your reader-- say something. Answer the prompt in complex, rich sentences that convey your use the sources to their highest potential. 👏
A great thesis does not have to be a paragraph long: as long as it answers the prompt, you’ll be alright!
Evidence and Commentary
This section on the rubric is split up into two categories: use of sources and commentary on the sources.
The College Board requires that you use at least three of the sources in order to earn the maximum amount of points. To “use” a source, you must cite text from the source or paraphrase an idea expressed by the author of the source, and then must explain its significance to the overall claim. (More on that in a moment.)
You must also establish a line of reasoning that the sources answer and/or incorporate into your elaboration. To make it a bit simpler, you need to explain how the source proves or challenges your claim. This can be accomplished in one sentence or several-- regardless, you need to explain why you chose to use that source to prove that claim.
The second part of this category is the commentary section. Here, you must consistently establish the line of reasoning for each of the sources you introduce and do so with complexity. In all reality, this is just making sure that you are using each source for a reason, and not just fact-dropping information to earn the point.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Fdownload-24.png?alt=media&token=22532fea-589c-4e86-aac9-8831dfe52dbb)
An easy way to do this is by prefacing your citation with how the source relates to your argument, and then elaborating afterward. Consider this example:
“The indoctrination of immigrants into American society is representative of a divide in American politics and culture, a line created by the two party system. (Source 2) Through the conditioning of immigrants to the ways of American society, there is a systematic erasing of native culture and ways in order to push American agendas onto people of other backgrounds and identities...”
The example drops the citation right in the middle of the paragraph in order to introduce the paraphrased idea, but divide it from the elaboration that follows:
Quote/paraphrase ➝ Citation ➝ 2-3 sentences of elaboration
Sophistication
The final row in the rubric is sophistication, or the level and complexity of your writing. This point is earned over the course of your essay and must be consistent in order for you to get the point.
This one is a little more complex to earn than some of the other points on the rubric. Contrary to the other rows, this is not something you need to directly set out to do, but something that needs to be developed over the course of your essay-- when you read a well-crafted sentence, you can tell. When you don’t read a well-crafted sentence, you can tell.
College Board has 4 notes on responses that typically earn this point:
- Typically notice variations and conflicts within the sources , and explore said variations and conflicts
- Express the restrictions of a source’s argument and does so within a larger scope and context
- Demonstrate specific and powerful use of language so as to express professionalism and maturity
- Use voice that is consistently lively yet coherent Let’s break down each bullet.
The first bullet states is asking that your response acknowledges the difference between sources. Let’s say Source A is about how peanut butter is good for dogs but Source B says that peanut butter is actually harmful for dogs-- by expressing the counterpoints of the two sources, and discussing the broader context of the source and arguments presented in the two, you are demonstrating sophistication and can earn the point. The ‘explore’ part of the bullet is what makes or breaks it.
Make sure you don’t just drop things without explaining their significance or value!
The second bullet is relating the sources and information presented in them to both one another and the overall prompt. Ask yourself: What does this source talk about that this one doesn’t? How is the scope of this source relating to the prompt? What does this source say that this one builds off of? It’s about finding relationships between the sources and how, together, they make a set and rely on one another for validation or dejection. 👪
The third and fourth bullets are notes on your writing. The College Board wants to read essays and responses that are high quality and complex, not ones that lack development or are lackluster. They are really looking for responses that feel whole and complete, expressing entire thoughts rather than fragments of ideas that can get scattered and lost in translation.
This mainly comes with practice and reading your peers’ work. Look for things such as sentence structure, diction, and punctuation. Do most of their sentences follow the same order and flow? Do they use the same three words to describe one thing or are they using a wide array of vocabulary? Think of how you can apply these things to your own writing, as well.
How to Rock the Synthesis Question - Process
Before you start writing....
Take time to plan your essays. If you just jump into writing without jotting down some ideas or a battle plan, you’re going to find yourself lost in the middle of your body paragraphs .
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Fdownload-25.png?alt=media&token=cc8dafca-19cf-410e-814c-75084b98d8f1)
A very simple idea for planning your essay is by using a template:
Main Idea #1
- Evidence #1
- Evidence #2
- Elaboration (2-3 Sentences)
- Elaboration (2-3 Sentences) By organizing your ideas into an umbrella shape, you can get an idea of how your essay is going to read by the progression of your ideas. Remember that the order you present your ideas in must be the order you discuss them!
Another tip is to be 100% of what it is the prompt is asking of you. If the prompt is asking you to develop an argument or position on an event or idea, do exactly that. The sources tend to lend themselves towards one side of the argument, so be sure that whatever side you pick is well-supported with evidence from the sources. You can’t use any outside knowledge or anything that is not directly stated or implied by the sources.
As mentioned before, it is extremely useful to use words in the prompt to formulate your thesis.
For example, if the prompt asks you what a country needs to consider before it engages in war with another country, you could formulate your thesis by saying “prior to engaging in war with another country, one must consider…” in order to directly respond to the question. This avoids confusion and allows you to easily pinpoint, for yourself, your thesis.
Think of all of Section 2 as a speech– this is the only section of the exam where you get to speak to the scorers. They are reading your handwriting, seeing your words and erase marks: make an impression! They are scored by a rubric, but they are also looking for voice and sophistication. Don’t brush off these essays and give minimal effort, they want you to pass.
Writing the Essay
Your introductory paragraph should realistically comprise of your thesis and introduce your response to the prompt. Your introduction can be just one sentence with your thesis, or you can build context by prefacing your argument or claim with things you learned from the sources. Avoid using “I”.
Your body paragraphs should be where you spend most of your time writing. Remember what the rubric says about relationships and connections between the sources. Look for key similarities and differences that may lend you to choose a main idea from the set. They all have something in common!
After you have an idea of your main points, start with a topic sentence that is essentially a thesis for the paragraph. Explain what you’re going to discuss and how it relates back to the prompt (or broader context, if applicable).
After introducing your topic sentence, begin using your evidence and elaborating in complete, complex sentences. If you planned your essay well enough, you may even be able to just copy what you have written down and just spend time elaborating on the sources. This maximizes your time and gives you some space to develop an even more complex argument . 2-3 sentences of elaboration is the sweet spot if you cover all your bases.
After you’ve done the steps above, do the same for the next body paragraph.
Once you reach your conclusion , state for the final time your thesis and the points you mentioned in your body paragraphs. Someone should be able to read your conclusion and get a good idea of what it is you discussed in your response, so make it informative and a good representation of your work!
And once you’ve reached this point, you’re all done! Give your essay a read and fix any mechanical or grammatical issues that you may stumble upon. After that, move on to the next essay and keep your head high-- you’re one step closer to finishing the exam! ✋
Key Terms to Review ( 20 )
© 2024 fiveable inc. all rights reserved., ap® and sat® are trademarks registered by the college board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website..
- Arizona State University (ASU)
- Boston University
- Dartmouth College
- Georgetown University
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Our Contacts
- Our Gallery
- Our Pricing
- Our Services
- Purdue University Indianapolis (PU Indy)
- Sample Page
- universities
- University of Florida
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay with Example
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay with Example](https://yocket.com/us/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AP-Lang-Synthesis-Essay.png)
Are you a high school student preparing for the AP Language and Composition exam? Or perhaps you are a teacher looking to help your students with the skills to ace the synthesis essay? Either way, you’ve landed in the right place. This blog will serve as your comprehensive guide to mastering this challenging yet rewarding component of the AP Language exam.
We’ll dig into what a synthesis essay entails and its structure, and we’ll furnish you with actionable strategies to approach the task with confidence. We’ll also provide insights into selecting and integrating sources effectively, constructing a compelling argument, and polishing your writing to perfection.
Table of Contents
Overview of AP Language and Composition
AP English Language and Composition , widely known as AP Lang, is a popular and engaging Advanced Placement course taken by over half a million high school students each year. The course is designed to hone essential skills such as analyzing written works, synthesizing information, constructing rhetorical essays, and writing compelling arguments. While the course presents a rigorous challenge, with just over 60% of students achieving a passing score of three or higher on the AP exam, the rewards of mastering these skills are significant.
The AP Lang exam is a comprehensive assessment consisting of two distinct sections. The first section, a one-hour multiple-choice segment, assesses your ability to analyze written passages and answer questions based solely on the provided text. This section comprises approximately 45% of the total exam score. The second section is a two-hour and fifteen-minute free-response segment. It evaluates your writing skills through three distinct essays. This section accounts for the remaining 55% of the exam score.
The three essays within the free-response section target specific writing skills. The synthesis essay challenges you to develop an argument by incorporating information from multiple provided sources. The rhetorical analysis essay requires you to dissect how an author uses language to convey meaning and achieve specific effects. Finally, the argumentative essay prompts you to take a stance on a debatable issue and construct a persuasive argument based on evidence.
What is the AP Lang Synthesis Essay?
The AP Language and Composition exam’s first free-response task is the synthesis essay. It is a one-hour exercise during which you read six to seven sources on a specific topic and compose a well-developed essay. These sources include a mix of print texts, approximately 500 words each, and visual elements like graphs or charts. You are advised to allocate 15 minutes to reading and analyzing these sources, followed by 40 minutes for writing and 5 minutes for review, but the time distribution can be adjusted as needed.
The synthesis essay prompt comprises three paragraphs: a brief introduction to the topic, a claim about the topic, and instructions for the essay. The claim is often broad and open to interpretation, requiring you to take a stance—either agreeing or disagreeing—and support your position by synthesizing information from at least three of the provided sources.
According to the College Board, a successful synthesis essay should “ combine different perspectives from sources to form a support of a coherent position. ” This means you must clearly state your claim, establish connections between sources to reinforce your argument, and provide specific evidence to validate your points.
The synthesis essay contributes six points to the overall AP Lang exam score. A holistic rubric evaluates the essay based on the thesis statement (0–1 point), evidence and commentary (0–4 points), and sophistication of thought and complexity of understanding (0–1 point).
Here’s an example prompt and essay provided by the College Board :
Urban rewilding is an effort to restore natural ecological processes and habitats in city environments. Many cities around the world have embraced rewilding as part of larger movements to promote ecological conservation and environmentally friendly design. Now, a movement to promote urban rewilding is beginning to take shape in the United States as well. Refer to the sources as Source A, Source B, etc.; titles are included for your convenience. Source A (infographic from Fastnacht) Source B (Jepson and Schepers policy brief) Source C (NRPA article) Source D (Garland article) Source E (graph from McDonald et al.) Source F (Chatterton book excerpt) In your response, you should do the following: 1. Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position. 2. Select and use evidence from at least three of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. 3. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses. 4. Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning. 5. Use appropriate grammar and punctuation when communicating your argument. |
Rewilding is a term that not many people have heard of or even pay attention to. That doesn’t mean it’s not important, either. Rewilding is a good thing for the planet; it’s good for plants and the environment. The world needs to start caring, and children, especially, are the future. Rewilding is good for our environment and for the future of preserving our world. In source C, “If people don’t spend any time outside, why are they going to care about their local places, let alone the national parks in the distance?” Going outside isn’t just good for the planet; it is also good for yourself. Nature isn’t really welcome in big cities, but reintroducing new plants can make it feel like it is welcome. Kids need to start caring about nature and not just about phones and video games. It gives you a different way to see our planet and care about what happens to it. In addition, rewilding is valuable for our society to learn as a whole. In source B, “Rewilding is exciting, engaging, and challenging; it is promoting debate and deliberation on what is natural and the natures we collectively wish to conserve and shape.” It’s important for kids to understand, and a challenge can be what a lot of children need. Also in source A, “More than 70% of projected extinctions of plants and animals would be counteracted by restoring only 30% of priority areas.” That can be such a good thing, and that’s why rewilding, especially for our country, is important. If we don’t, we could lose 70% of plants and animals, which would send the ecosystem into whack. Overall, rewilding should be focused on more; we have a lot to lose. Putting in the time and effort in our cities and urban settings is what we need to do. If you don’t care now, start caring. Kids especially need to focus. |
Read also: Write an ap lang argument essay
![](http://charunivedita.online/777/templates/cheerup2/res/banner1.gif)
How to Write a Synthesis Essay for the AP Language Exam
Step 1: analyze the prompt.
Begin by carefully reading and analyzing the prompt. Underline or highlight key terms to identify the central question and your task. Remember that you don’t need to decide your stance immediately; understanding the prompt is the priority here.
Step 2: Read and annotate the sources
Although you’ll only use three sources in your essay, read them all. This provides a broader understanding of the topic and helps you choose the most relevant evidence. As you read, actively annotate by highlighting key points, noting connections, and jotting down potential arguments.
After each source, briefly assess whether it supports, opposes, or nuances your emerging thesis. If you finish reading early, use the remaining time to start outlining your essay.
Step 3: Write a strong thesis statement
Your thesis statement should clearly state your position on the prompt’s claim. You can choose to defend the claim (argue it’s correct), challenge it (argue it’s incorrect), or qualify it (agree with some aspects and disagree with others). A strong thesis avoids summarizing the issue or restating the prompt; it establishes a clear line of reasoning.
Step 4: Outline your essay
Though it may seem counter intuitive when time is limited, outlining is essential. Your outline should include your thesis statement, three main points (one for each body paragraph), and the supporting evidence you’ll use from the sources. Briefly note how this evidence connects back to your thesis.
Step 5: Write your essay
With your annotated sources and outline in hand, writing your essay should be smoother. Begin with a focus on providing insightful commentary that explains how your evidence supports or refutes the prompt’s claim.
When referencing sources, use simple in-text citations like “Source 1,” “Source 2,” etc. Be sure to double-check your citations for accuracy. Before moving on, quickly proofread your essay for any errors.
Read also: How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
AP Lang Synthesis Essay Score Evaluation
The AP Language Synthesis Essay accounts for six points of the total exam score. Your essay will be evaluated on several key components. Primarily, a clear and defensible thesis statement that directly responds to the exam prompt can earn you up to one point. The majority of your score (up to four points) depends on how well you incorporate evidence from at least three sources and explain how that evidence supports your reasoning. Each piece of evidence should be explicitly linked to your argument, demonstrating a clear and consistent line of thought.
To earn the final point, your essay must show sophistication of thought. This can be achieved by writing a nuanced argument that acknowledges the complexities and tensions within the sources, situating your argument within a broader context to reveal its implications, or explaining the limitations of your or others’ arguments. Additionally, employing effective rhetorical devices and maintaining a vivid and persuasive writing style can further strengthen your essay.
Read also: Personal Statement Essay Examples
5 Tips to Ace the Synthesis Essay for the AP Language Exam
1. understand the prompt.
Begin by meticulously analyzing the prompt. Identify the central issue being discussed and the specific task you’re asked to perform (argue, evaluate, analyze, etc.). Underline key terms and phrases to ensure you fully grasp the expectations.
2. Engage actively with the sources
Don’t just skim through the sources; actively read and annotate the provided sources. Identify the main idea and supporting evidence in each. Note the source’s perspective and any potential biases. Highlight quotes or data you might use in your essay. Aim to understand how the sources relate to each other and the prompt.
3. Write a nuanced thesis
Your thesis should be a clear, concise statement of your position on the issue presented in the prompt. It should be specific and incorporate the nuances you’ve gleaned from the sources. Avoid merely restating the prompt; instead, offer an insightful perspective that you’ll support with evidence throughout your essay.
4. Construct a cohesive argument
Your essay should be a well-structured argument, not a mere summary of the sources. Each body paragraph should focus on a single point that supports your thesis. Use evidence from the sources to back up your claims, and provide your analysis and interpretation of that evidence. Connect your paragraphs with clear transitions to create a logical flow.
5. Leave time for revision
After writing your essay, take a few minutes to review it carefully. Check for grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and clarity issues. Ensure that your argument is well-developed and your evidence is effectively integrated. A polished essay shows your command of language and strengthens your overall argument.
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://yocket.com/us/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Web-10-1536x360-25-1024x240-2.webp)
From the Desk of Yocket
Writing a good AP Language synthesis essay requires a balanced approach of critical thinking, careful analysis, and persuasive writing. You should begin by thoroughly understanding the prompt and identifying the central issue and the required task. Then, dig into the provided sources, extracting key points, perspectives, and evidence that relate to your developing stance.
A strong thesis is the backbone of your essay. It should clearly state your position on the issue and provide a roadmap for the reader, outlining the key points you’ll explore. As you bring together evidence from multiple sources, remember to provide insightful commentary, explaining how each piece of evidence bolsters your argument. Try to avoid simply dropping quotes or paraphrasing; instead, analyze the significance of each piece, showing a nuanced understanding of the issue and the sources.
You should conclude your essay by revisiting your thesis and summarizing your key arguments. You can also offer a thoughtful extension, such as suggesting implications for your argument, addressing potential counterarguments, or proposing future directions for research. Throughout your essay, prioritize clarity, coherence, and sophistication in your language and structure. This will show your ability to analyze complex texts and synthesize information into a compelling argument. Remember to maintain a strong connection with your audience, ensuring your writing on Yocket remains engaging and relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synthesis essay on the ap language exam.
A synthesis essay requires you to develop a position on a given topic by incorporating and citing evidence from multiple sources. You’ll need to evaluate, select, and synthesize information from these sources to create a cohesive argument.
How many sources are typically provided for the synthesis essay?
The AP Language exam usually provides 6–7 sources for the synthesis essay, including texts and visual elements like graphs or charts.
What is the time allotted for writing the synthesis essay?
The entire free-response section of the AP Language exam, which includes the synthesis essay, rhetorical analysis, and argumentative essay, is 2 hours and 15 minutes. You may budget roughly 40 minutes to read the sources and plan your essay, leaving 40 minutes to write.
How is the synthesis essay scored?
The synthesis essay is scored on a 0–9 scale, with 9 being the highest. Points are awarded for a clear thesis, effective use of evidence and commentary, sophisticated analysis, and overall coherence.
Do I have to agree with the sources to use in my synthesis essay?
No, you can use sources to support a counterargument or provide alternative perspectives. The key is to engage with the sources critically and use them to build your argument.
How should I cite sources in my synthesis essay?
You can use parenthetical citations (author’s last name or source letter) to indicate where you’ve used information from the sources. It’s essential to avoid plagiarism by accurately attributing all borrowed ideas and language.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in the synthesis essay?
Try to avoid merely summarizing the sources without adding your analysis. Ensure your thesis clearly states your position and is supported by evidence throughout the essay. You should refrain from relying too heavily on one source and aim for a balanced incorporation of multiple perspectives.
- No Comments
- July 15, 2024
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Tackling the AP English Language and Composition Essays: Part 3
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang Statistical Mediation & Moderation in Psychological Research (1)-3](https://blog.cambridgecoaching.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Statistical%20Mediation%20%26%20Moderation%20in%20Psychological%20Research%20(1)-3.png?width=1080&name=Statistical%20Mediation%20%26%20Moderation%20in%20Psychological%20Research%20(1)-3.png)
As you may recall from Part 1 , the Synthesis and Argument essays require that you take an argumentative position on a topic. In the Synthesis Essay, you are given a topic or question (e.g., is the death penalty just?) and six sources addressing that topic or question. You will then be asked to take an argumentative position, citing at least three of the sources. In the Argument Essay, you are given a topic or idea typically in the form of an author’s quote: for example, a quote from a famous writer saying that, in modern society, it’s necessary to be a little bit unethical to succeed. You are then asked to take an argumentative position on this topic or idea. This time, though, there will be no sources for you to cite. All of your thinking about the topic must come from your own head.
We’ve already discussed the Rhetoric Essay, and how to go through the process of writing a good one. Much of the same advice still applies to these two essays! Here are the things that, when it comes the Synthesis and Argument Essay, remain the same:
- The grading rubric for the Synthesis and Argument Essays is the same as that for the Rhetoric Essay, awarding one point for thesis, four for evidence and analysis, and one for “sophistication.”
- For all three essays, you must make a clear argument, supply sufficient evidence, and explain that evidence well.
- The six step process will also be the same for all three essays. Remember that the six steps are: (1) Organizing Your Time, (2) Reading and Annotating, (3) Outlining the thesis (4) Outlining the structure (5) Writing [paragraphs, evidence, analysis] (6) Writing [sentences].
But, lots of things are different, too. So, you need to go through the six steps of the process in a slightly different way for each essay...
The Synthesis Essay: Six Steps
1. organizing your time.
As discussed in Part 1 , the first 45 minutes of the essay section (including both the “reading” and “writing” periods) should be devoted to the Synthesis Essay. During the first 15 minutes, which are the designated “reading period,” you should read the question and six sources, and begin to brainstorm and outline your essay. As the “writing period” opens—the first thirty minutes of which you will now devote to the Synthesis Essay—you should be finishing your outline, and beginning to write. You should then write for about 25, reserving 5 minutes to proofread.
2. Reading and Annotating
As you read the six sources, keep a running list of the pro or con arguments that you encounter, and the corresponding evidence. I suggest you take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns, pro and con. As you read through the sources, you can use the columns to keep track of arguments and evidence. At the same time, you should underline particularly compelling pieces of evidence supplied for the arguments you’re recording, like statistics or particularly persuasive turns of phrase.
As you proceed, you may start to feel like you know which side you want to defend. Great! At that point, I would start paying closer attention to the evidence supplied for arguments for that side, carefully noting which quotes or details you might cite. That being said, I would not stop recording the arguments for the other side. These are going to be the types of counter-positions you will need to answer in your essay.
By the time you’re done taking notes, you should have a good list of the arguments available for defending each side, as well as some evidence for those arguments. Now, you can use that material to make an outline.
3. Outlining Part 1: Thesis
Go look at the AP Lang test grading rubric (printed at the very end of this guide ), and look at the sample excellent theses that graders are given as models for earning the 1 thesis point. They all clearly take a stance on one side or another of the issue. This isn’t the time to be wishy-washy or even-handed. It’s a time to be decisive, and clearly take a side. Your thesis may address both sides of the issue, but only in the process of clearly deciding on one of those sides. It may for example, read something like: “Though use of public libraries will, in the digital age, no doubt dwindle, they remain essential to the future of our nation, and should be maintained.” It should not read like this: “Use of public libraries will start to dwindle in the digital age, but they do still seem in many ways essential.” In the first case, you acknowledge both sides, but it’s clear which side you stand on: this is the best strategy to use for this essay.
4. Outlining Part 2: Structure
Many different types of structures have earned perfect scores for the Synthesis Essay. That being said, there are a few guidelines to follow.
First, you need to have multiple body paragraphs (aim for three, though two can be ok if they are robust). Each of those paragraphs needs to make one clear point, and each of those paragraphs’ points needs to be stated clearly and completely in an initial topic sentence.
There are also some new rules to follow here. You must give at least two strong reasons for why your side is correct. And you must, in some way, address counterarguments: likely rebuttals of your points, or strong arguments for the other side.
There are many different structures you might use to do both of these things, and which structure you choose will depend on the arguments you want to make, as well as the strongest arguments the other side might marshal. Here are some possible structures that have all worked in perfectly scored essays:
- Provide three different reasons why your side is right, each with its own paragraph. Address any potential counterarguments or concerns about these reasons, where necessary, within the paragraphs.
- Provide two reasons why your side is right, in two paragraphs. In a third paragraph, address and answer the strongest argument or case for the other side.
5. Writing Part 1: Paragraphs, Evidence, Analysis
When you go to write, make sure:
- Each paragraph has a topic sentence.
- Each paragraph supplies evidence to support that topic sentence’s argument.
- The evidence is analyzed. For more information on any of these points, see Part 2 of this series.
There is one extra thing, though: you have to cite your sources. There are two ways to cite. First, you can simply make a point that one of the readings made, without quoting. Or, you can quote! I suggest that you quote directly at least once. It ensures that you are citing in detail, and you want to be citing and engaging with the arguments in detail. Be sure to put “Source #” or the author name in parentheses after your paraphrase or quote in order to cite the source.
6. Writing Part 2: Sentence by Sentence
Proofread your sentences, in the last few minutes. All the same principles apply ( see Part 2 for details ).
The Argument Essay: Six Steps
1-2. managing your time + brainstorming.
You have 45 minutes. But this essay should take you a bit less time than the other two, since it gives you no passages to read. Spend 5-7 minutes reading the question and then brainstorming/outlining. Then, spend the rest of the time writing, with some time at the end for proofreading. If you finish this essay before your 45 minutes are up, use your extra time to proofread everything you’ve written (all three essays).
3-4. Outlining: Thesis and Structure
The same rules for thesis and structure from the Synthesis Essay apply to the Argument Essay. You need to take a clear position on the topic, even if you acknowledge the other side. And you need to provide multiple reasons for that position, while also addressing counterarguments.
The difference, here, comes in the types of reasons you are going to give for your argument. In the Synthesis Essay, you were giving reasons largely supplied from the sources you read. Here, you have to come up with your own reasons and examples for them. In general, your reasons and examples are going to come from a few sources:
- Your personal life and experience: you might tell a story from your own life to show why the principle you’re defending is true.
- Your knowledge of history, literature, or other nonfiction or school subjects: you might use an example of an event from a novel to support the point, or an anecdote from Renaissance history that you learned in school, or a tidbit from the biography of some inspiring person, like MLK or Marie Curie.
- Your knowledge of current events: you might be able to supply a reason for your point that refers to some major, hot button issue of current events, like climate change, or Black Lives Matter, or the benefits and downsides of social media.
- Your knowledge of other things: Know a lot about music? Or gardening? Or religion? Use examples from those domains.
What you might be gathering is that, in order to answer this essay question well, supplying arguments for general principles like “Money can’t buy happiness” or “quitters never win,” you need to know about…things. And as a teenager, you’ve only had so much time to get to know things. So, here’s what I advise: in preparation of the exam, make a list of 20 things that you are going to know about. Yes, you can choose common school topics like “The American Revolution” or The Scarlet Letter. But supplement those topics with the academic or political topics that you are actually interested in or passionate about, like the 1980s AIDS epidemic and struggle for LGBQT rights, or ancient Greek military history, or novels by Jane Austen or Toni Morrison, or the biography of an Olympic athlete. Passion speaks! Also, include some important or pivotal anecdotes from your life, especially times when you learned lessons. Once you have your list, make sure you actually know about these things. Know some details: dates, names, precise events, anecdotes, etc. Though you can’t predict what your Argument Essay question will be, having detailed knowledge of various topics will certainly help you out.
5. Writing: Paragraphs (Evidence, Analysis)
As with the other essays, you still need topic sentences summarizing each paragraph’s argument (a reason for why your position is correct, drawing on some major example from history, culture, or personal life). You still need evidence for your argument (coming from your store of knowledge about…things). And you still need to analyze that evidence and explain why it proves your points, addressing counterarguments where possible.
Only one more tip: when you supply your support, be detailed. Don’t refer to some event in your life in vague terms (“at first I found math hard, but then I practiced and got better”). Supply the details (“At first I found math hard, and in the first weeks of the term, I failed a test. Soon, however, I started to practice, drilling problems at my kitchen table every night, and asking my older brother to check over my work. By the end of the semester, I had greatly improved, and earned a B+ on the final exam.”). The same goes for historical or literary anecdotes: cite specific dates, names, events. In reading and writing, we call this “the reality effect”: an argument or story feels more real and more persuasive, when it includes little, hyper-specific details. “I ate some food,” doesn’t feel as real as, “Sitting on a bench in a park in West Palm Beach, I ate a banana and seven almonds.”
6. Writing: Sentence by Sentence
Proofread, at the end! The same tips from Part 2 apply.
Well, that just about covers the three AP Lang Essays! I have just two parting tips. First, practice, practice, practice. It will not feel easy writing three good essays at this pace the first time you do it (or the second, or the third). It will start to feel ok after many iterations, and that’s where you want to be. You don’t want your first, or even second time trying this out to be on test day. Second, try to have fun with it. Don’t go crazy, but psych yourself into getting into your essays. The readers can feel your enthusiasm. And they like it. Best of luck!
The AP Exams are an opportunity for you to deepen your academic engagement, demonstrate your readiness for college learning, and earn college credit . Our team of PhD candidates, composed of expert tutors like Tess, loves teaching AP material and helping students hone test taking strategies. Looking for customized AP support?
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang Contact us!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/174241/80cb5e58-6cbe-4a0b-bec4-a3cdd6f96b76.png)
Related Content
Calculate for all schools
Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, perfecting the synthesis essay for ap lang.
Hi there! I'm preparing for the AP Lang exam, specifically working on synthesis essays. Are there any sample essays or best practices to construct an effective argument while incorporating various viewpoints?
Hi! It's great that you're working on improving your synthesis essay skills for the AP Lang exam. Here are some tips and best practices to construct an effective argument while incorporating various viewpoints:
1. Understand the prompt: Make sure to read the prompt carefully and understand what is being asked. It might help to rephrase it in your own words to ensure you've fully grasped the concept.
2. Develop a clear thesis: Your thesis statement should present a clear and concise argument that addresses the prompt. It should be disputable and take a definitive stance - the key is to show that you have a clear opinion on the issue.
3. Create an outline: Before you start writing, creating an outline can be helpful for organizing your thoughts and planning your essay. This will help you structure your essay and ensure that you address all aspects of the prompt, as well as prevent you from losing your train of thought halfway through.
4. Use your sources effectively: Make sure to incorporate at least three of the provided sources in your essay, and use them to support your argument. Integrate your sources by quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing, but make sure to cite them properly, whether it's through in-text citations or footnotes.
5. Acknowledge counterarguments: By acknowledging and addressing counterarguments, you strengthen your own argument, as considering multiple perspectives helps underscore that yours is in fact the best one out there. Be respectful and fair when addressing opposing viewpoints, and use your sources to refute them effectively.
6. Organize your essay: Use clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas to guide the reader through your argument. Arrange your paragraphs logically, making sure each one presents a distinct point or example that supports your thesis.
7. Strong conclusion: The conclusion should summarize your argument, restate your thesis, and leave the reader with a memorable impression of your essay.
To find sample essays, you can refer to the College Board's official AP Lang exam resources, which include released student sample responses from past exams. Additionally, practicing writing synthesis essays yourself using past exam prompts is an effective way to prepare for the AP Lang exam. As you practice, try to address different perspectives, incorporate sources effectively, and maintain a clear and logical organization in your essay.
Good luck with your studying!
About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.
How to Write a Synthesis Essay AP Lang | Guide to Getting a Perfect Score
The AP Language and Composition exam is notoriously difficult. Even top, A+ language arts students have found it exceptionally challenging.
![book the ap language and composition exam is notoriously difficult](https://studypreplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/book.png)
Beyond diligently studying with a top-rated AP Lang review book , you should also carefully review our comprehensive guide on how to write a synthesis essay for AP Lang featured in this article.
Once you complete the supremely humbling hour-long multiple-choice section, making up only 45% of your score, the trial has only just begun. Now, already fatigued from the first section, you must begin the grueling, two-hour free response section of the exam, which accounts for a whopping 55% of your final exam score. This section requires you to compose three essays of distinct types: an argumentative essay, a rhetorical analysis essay ( you also need to learn how to use AP Lang rhetorical devices ) and, the most dreaded of all, the synthesis essay.
Luckily, there are some great options to help you prepare to nail your synthesis essay. So, read on for everything you need to know to knock your synthesis essay out of the park!
How to Write Synthesis Essays AP Lang
One of the most challenging aspects of the AP synthesis essay is figuring out what the prompt is asking you to do. After all, what does it mean to “synthesize” something anyway? And what’s the difference between a synthesis essay and an evidence-based argumentative essay?
In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and a lot more. We’ll help you establish a solid understanding of what synthesis is, how to do it, and how to use it to write a high-scoring essay, according to College Board’s AP Language and Composition scoring guidelines . Lastly, we’ll leave you with some advice about things to be sure and attend to in your essay, as well as the most important things to avoid.
Introduction to Syntheses
Before we get into all the details and advice on how to write a quality synthesis essay, we first need to answer a critical question: what is a synthesis essay?
Simply put, a synthesis essay is a piece of writing that brings together information and ideas from two or more sources.
![introduction to syntheses The synthesis part comes in as you begin to develop connections between the sources](https://studypreplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/essay-pen.png)
The synthesis part comes in as you begin to develop connections between the sources, whether they are in agreement, disagreement, approach the same topic from different angles, or simply provide ideas on different topics that can in some way contribute some other discourse.
This, of course, is just a very basic introduction to what a synthesis essay is.
Throughout this article, the concept will surely become clearer to you.
Two Types of Syntheses
There are essentially two types of synthesis essay that you will run into: argumentative syntheses and explanatory syntheses. Luckily, you really only need to master one of them, the argumentative synthesis, as this is the most common expectation on AP exams.
Explanatory Synthesis
An explanatory synthesis essay is exactly what it sounds like. It the type of writing in which you will be asked to explain the arguments and information presented in your sources. You should also seek out connections and contrasting elements between the sources in order to give your essay a certain level of nuance and to display your deeper understanding and reasoning skills.
Most of the time, AP Language and Composition exams won’t focus on explanatory synthesis essays. However, it would be wise to use some explanatory techniques even within your argumentative synthesis essay.
Argumentative Synthesis
When someone asks, “what is a synthesis in writing?” they’re typically referring to argumentative synthesis, and this is especially the case for the AP exam.
At its most basic, an argumentative synthesis essay is on in which you must present your own opinions and support them with appropriate ideas and information from your sources. Most importantly, the thesis for your argumentative synthesis essay must be a proposition that can be debated. That is, there must be another potential argument against your own.
Standards for Synthesis Essays
![topic standards unfortunately, these prompt-specific rubrics are not available to the public until after the exams](https://studypreplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/topic.png)
The people who will be scoring your AP Lang synthesis essay use a very clearly defined rubric to determine your score according to various criteria. Unfortunately, these prompt-specific rubrics are not available to the public until after the exams.
That said, we can still gain a wealth of useful information from past scoring guidelines.
Here are some of the elements of high-scoring essays that seem to be fairly constant from exam to exam, regardless of the essay prompt topic:
Supply useful context on the topic
Give a sense of why the topic is important
Engage with the complexity of the subject
Foreground your opinion on the topic
Offer thorough and thoughtful analysis of quotations, paraphrases, etc.
Synthesize source material by finding connections with your own ideas and opinions
Properly attributes ideas to sources
Conclude with more than just a summary by answering the “so what?” question
Techniques for Developing Synthesis Essays
Before you can start writing a quality synthesis essay, you need to spend some time developing your ideas and seeing how they do or do not relate to your source materials.
The following is a list of steps that you should always take before you start writing the bulk of your actual essay. These guidelines will be enormously helpful when it comes time to figure out what you want to say in your essay. If you read this carefully and take seriously these suggestions, you’ll have no trouble coming up with interesting and complex ideas for your essay.
What’s your purpose? Before you do anything, you need to determine what the prompt is asking you to do. Obviously, it’s going to ask you to synthesize some stuff, but keep an eye out for these helpful guide words:
Compare/Contrast
Read the source material; then, read it again to annotate. Once you’ve read through the sources once, go back and reach each one again, this time with a pencil to underline and add notes as you go.
Formulate your thesis statement. After reading and taking notes on your sources, you’re ready to brainstorm your thesis statement. As you do this, try to keep track of potential aspects of each source that you can use to support your claim.
Sketch an outline. When you have a thesis statement down (at least a tentative one—you should always be open to revising it as you go), you should sketch a simple outline that includes your thesis statement, supporting points that you can use for topic sentences, and a rough idea of how you will incorporate your sources.
If you follow these steps closely, there’s no doubt that you’ll be ready to start writing what is sure to be a clever, thoughtful, and nuanced synthesis essay.
How to Write a Good Synthesis Essay?
![boy writing as you go about the work of composing your essay, there are several approaches and strategies to can implement at different points in the essay](https://studypreplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/boy-writing.png)
Now that we know what a synthesis essay is, what AP exam scorers will be looking for in your essay, and what techniques you can use to develop your essay topic, it’s time to look at some different strategies for how to actually write a synthesis essay in AP Lang.
As you go about the work of composing your essay, there are several approaches and strategies to can implement at different points in the essay.
None of these elements will be particularly effective in isolation, so be sure to use a variety of these strategies to enhance the complexity and depth of your argument.
Summarize. Summarizing ideas and source material is easy, and for that reason it is not going to do a whole lot in the way of getting you a great score. It is, however, an incredibly useful tool that, when used in conjunction with other strategies on this list, can be quite effective.
Compare and Contrast. This is typically the level of synthesis that most people start at after summarizing the content they are considering. It’s not exactly “high-order” analysis, but it can be very useful in establishing the positions of your sources and creating a foundation on which you can present your own ideas and opinions.
Give an Example. A great way to show you understand a certain concept is to apply your understanding through an example. You can think of examples that illustrate the concepts you’re dealing with as a way to clarify your topic and also to support your own arguments.
“They Say, I Say.” This is the classic, and possibly most effective, synthesis move. After you’ve presented a quotation or paraphrase of one or more sources’ ideas, move on to explain your own position as it relates to theirs. It becomes much easier to state your own ideas and opinions when you do it within the context of the larger discussion of the topic.
Synthesis Essay Structure
One of the most sure-fire ways to earn a passing score on your synthesis essay is to ensure you structure it effectively. To do this well, it’s a smart idea, prior to writing your essay, to sketch out a quick outline of the essay’s structure. Your outline doesn’t need to be especially detailed, but it will be tremendously helpful for you to have a general plan to work from.
Another good idea that will help you learn how to structure your essay is by looking at a synthesis example.
Helpfully, the College Board’s AP Language and Composition exam site supplies several samp le essays for you to get an idea of what good, average, and poor synthesis essays look like.
![structure if you take some time to read these examples, you’ll have a much better vision of what the scorers are looking for in terms of a well-structured synthesis essay](https://studypreplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pen.png)
If you take some time to read these examples, you’ll have a much better vision of what the scorers are looking for in terms of a well-structured synthesis essay.
That said, there is a very basic structure for synthesis essays that, if followed carefully, will guarantee that your essay is, at the very least, structured logically. This format is essentially the standard format for any basic five-paragraph essay. Take a look.
Basic Essay Structure
Introduction Paragraph
Give some BACKGROUND information and CONTEXT on the general topic of your essay.
Briefly introduce the SOURCES that you will be using.
Present your THESIS STATEMENT (this is usually the very last sentence of the paragraph).
Body Paragraph
Start with a TOPIC SENTENCE that supports your thesis statement.
Cite one or more SOURCES that support your topic sentence.
Provide COMMENTARY and ANALYSIS on the ideas you have just cited from your sources.
Use a TRANSITION WORD or PHRASE to guide the reader logically toward the ideas you will present in the topic sentence of the next paragraph.
Body Paragraphs 2-?
Repeat the steps in the previous section with different topic sentences and source references, all of which must support your thesis statement.
Include as many body paragraphs as you have points and topic sentences to justify. Typically, a good AP Lang synthesis essay will have around 3-4 well-constructed and reasoned body paragraphs, but this is just a general guideline.
Conclusion Paragraph
Restate your THESIS statement in a new and interesting way (that is, do not simply repeat your thesis word-for-word as it appears in the introduction!).
Tie it all together by briefly summarizing your main points.
Answer the “SO WHAT?” QUESTION by explaining why your argument matters and what the implications of it might be. Try to broaden your scope in order to show the reader how it fits in with the “big picture.”
Synthesis Writing Dos and Don’ts
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://studypreplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pros-and-cons.png)
Finally, we want to leave you with a quick list of things to strive for and things to avoid at all costs.
DO Develop a Strong, Clear Thesis Statement
DO Use Topic Sentences
DO Cite Your Sources Accurately and Appropriately
DO Sketch a Basic Outline
DO Pace Yourself
DO Proofread and Revise Your Essay Carefully
DON’T Overdo It with Summaries
DON’T Start Paragraphs with Quotations
DON’T Get Overwhelmed by the Sources
DON’T Use Other People’s Ideas without Citing Your Sources
DON’T Use Overly Lengthy Quotations or Paraphrases
Leonard Haggin
I created this site to help students like you learn from the experiences my team had learned during our extensive academic careers. I am now studying Law at Stanford, but I also make time to write articles here in order to help all you fellow students advance in your academic careers and beyond. I hope our efforts on Study Prep Lounge will arm you with the knowledge you need to overcome whatever trial or test you find in front of you.
Leave a Reply:
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance
Get the Reddit app
No matter what course you are taking, we are a community that helps students earn college credit!
Guide for AP Lang Synthesis Essay
I have seen a few posts with ppl struggling to write the essay, so here's how I did it.
I'm not an English person, but this is how I would write question 1:
An intro (Skip this if you're running out of time).
Thesis statement including two of your sub-claims. I like a counterargument thesis, but a straightforward thesis gets the job done easier and you don't have to think too much about it.
Your topic sentence #1 which you should pull from your first sub-claim that you made in your thesis.
Now use a quote from a source which you should have already annotated and make sure you cite like this: (Source A). This would serve as one of your evidence.
Add commentary (at least 3 sentences minimum). Remember your commentary is your why that piece evidence proves your claim. Don't just summarize the source! Make sure you connect back to your thesis or sub-claim in your commentary.
Then add a transition that can help your flow on your essay it can be very simple. After that, add your second piece of quote from a source to serve as evidence. (similarly and in addition are great transitions).
Add commentary (at least 3 sentences).
Repeat steps 3-6 for your second body paragraph. Add a conclusion if you have time.
I highly recommend adding transitions after every evidence and commentary because this is really the only way to strengthen your line of reasoning. If you can't think of anything for your commentary I recommend adding a concession and refutation. This not only expands your argument, but makes your essay stand out more. Remember your readers are scoring this as a rough draft, so errors are ok.
By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .
Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app
You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.
Enter a 6-digit backup code
Create your username and password.
Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.
Reset your password
Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password
Check your inbox
An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account
Choose a Reddit account to continue
Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.
How to Write the AP Lang Argument Essay (With Example)
December 14, 2023
We’d like to let you in on a little secret: no one, including us, enjoys writing timed essays. But a little practice goes a long way. If you want to head into your AP English Exam with a cool head, you’ll want to know what you’re getting into ahead of time. We can’t promise the AP Lang Argument Essay will ever feel like an island vacation, but we do have tons of hand tips and tricks (plus a sample essay!) below to help you do your best. This article will cover: 1) What is the AP Lang Argumentative Essay? 2) AP Lang Argument Rubric 3) AP Lang Argument Sample Prompt 4) AP Lang Argument Essay Example 5) AP Lang Argument Essay Example: Answer Breakdown.
What is the AP Lang Argument Essay?
The AP Lang Argument Essay is one of three essays included in the written portion of the AP English Exam. The full AP English Exam is 3 hours and 15 minutes long, with the first 60 minutes dedicated to multiple-choice questions. Once you complete the multiple-choice section, you move on to three equally weighted essays that ask you to synthesize, analyze, and interpret texts and develop well-reasoned arguments. The three essays include:
Synthesis essay: You’ll review various pieces of evidence and then write an essay that synthesizes (aka combines and interprets) the evidence and presents a clear argument. Read our write-up on How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay here.
Argumentative essay: You’ll take a stance on a specific topic and argue your case.
Rhetorical essay: You’ll read a provided passage, then analyze the author’s rhetorical choices and develop an argument that explains why the author made those rhetorical choices. Read our write-up on How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Essay here.
AP Lang Argument Essay Rubric
The AP Lang Argument Essay is graded on 3 rubric categories : Thesis, Evidence and Commentary, and Sophistication . How can you make sure you cover all three bases in your essay? We’ll break down each rubric category with dos and don’ts below:
- Thesis (0-1 point)
When it comes to grading your thesis, AP Exam graders are checking off a box: you either have a clear thesis or you don’t. So, what crucial components of a thesis will get you your check mark?
- Make sure your thesis argues something . To satisfy your graders, your thesis needs to take a clear stance on the issue at hand.
- Include your thesis statement in your intro paragraph. The AP Lang Argumentative essay is just that: an essay that makes an argument, so make sure you present your argument right away at the end of your first paragraph.
- A good test to see if you have a thesis that makes an argument for your AP Lang Argumentative Essay: In your head, add the phrase “I agree/disagree that…” to the beginning of your thesis. If what follows doesn’t logically flow after that phrase (aka if what follows isn’t an agreement or disagreement), it’s likely you’re not making an argument.
- In your thesis, outline the evidence you’ll cover in your body paragraphs.
AP Lang Argument Essay Rubric (Continued)
- Avoid a thesis that merely restates the prompt.
- Avoid a thesis that summarizes the text but does not make an argument.
- Avoid a thesis that weighs the pros and cons of an issue. Your job in your thesis is to pick a side and stick with it.
- Evidence and Commentary (0-4 points)
This rubric category is graded on a scale of 0-4 where 4 is the highest grade. Unlike the rhetorical and synthesis essays, the evidence you need to write your AP Lang Argument Essay is not provided to you. Rather, you’ll need to generate your own evidence and comment upon it.
What counts as evidence?
Typically, the AP Lang Argument Essay prompt asks you to reflect on a broad cultural, moral, or social issue that is open to debate. For evidence, you won’t be asked to memorize and cite statistics or facts. Rather, you’ll want to bring in real-world examples of:
- Historical events
- Current-day events from the news
- Personal anecdotes
For this essay, your graders know that you’re not able to do research to find the perfect evidence. What’s most important is that you find evidence that logically supports your argument.
What is commentary?
In this essay, it’s important to do more than just provide examples relevant evidence. After each piece of evidence you include, you’ll need to explain why it’s significant and how it connects to your main argument. The analysis you include after your evidence is commentary .
- Take a minute to brainstorm evidence that logically supports your argument. If you have to go out of your way to find the connection, it’s better to think of different evidence.
- Include multiple pieces of evidence. There is no magic number, but do make sure you incorporate more than a couple pieces of evidence that support your argument.
- Make sure you include more than one example of evidence, too. Let’s say you’re working on an essay that argues that people are always stronger together than apart. You’ve already included an example from history: during the civil rights era, protestors staged group sit-ins as a powerful form of peaceful protest. That’s just one example, and it’s hard to make a credible argument with just one piece of evidence. To fix that issue, think of additional examples from history, current events, or personal experience that are not related to the civil rights era.
- After you include each piece of evidence, explain why it’s significant and how it connects to your main argument.
- Don’t summarize or speak generally about the topic. Everything you write must be backed up with specific and relevant evidence and examples.
- Don’t let quotes speak for themselves. After every piece of evidence you include, make sure to explain and connect the evidence to your overarching argument.
AP Lang Argument Essay (Continued)
- Sophistication (0-1 point)
According to the College Board , one point can be awarded to AP Lang Argument essays that achieve a high level of sophistication. You can accomplish that in four ways:
- Crafting a nuanced argument by consistently identifying and exploring complexities or tensions.
- Articulating the implications or limitations of an argument by situating it within a broader context.
- Making effective rhetorical choices that consistently strengthen the force and impact of the student’s argument.
- Employing a style that is consistently vivid and persuasive.
In sum, this means you can earn an additional point for going above and beyond in depth, complexity of thought, or by writing an especially persuasive, clear, and well-structured essay. In order to earn this point, you’ll first need to do a good job with the fundamentals: your thesis, evidence, and commentary. Then, to earn your sophistication point, follow these tips:
- Outline your essay before you begin to ensure it flows in a clear and cohesive way.
- Include well-rounded evidence. Don’t rely entirely on personal anecdotes, for example. Incorporate examples from current events or history, as well.
- Thoroughly explain how each piece of evidence connects to your thesis in order to fully develop your argument.
- Explore broader implications. If what you’re arguing is true, what does that mean to us today? Who is impacted by this issue? What real-world issues are relevant to this core issue?
- Briefly explore the other side of the issue. Are the instances where your argument might not be true? Acknowledge the other side, then return to proving your original argument.
- Steer clear of generalizations (avoid words like “always” and “everyone”).
- Don’t choose an argument you can’t back up with relevant examples.
- Avoid complex sentences and fancy vocabulary words unless you use them often. Long, clunky sentences with imprecisely used words are hard to follow.
AP Lang Argument Sample Prompt
The sample prompt below is published online by the College Board and is a real example from the 2021 AP English Exam. The prompt provides background context, essay instructions, and the text you need to analyze.
Suggested time—40 minutes.
Many people spend long hours trying to achieve perfection in their personal or professional lives. Similarly, people often demand perfection from others, creating expectations that may be challenging to live up to. In contrast, some people think perfection is not attainable or desirable.
Write an essay that argues your position on the value of striving for perfection.
In your response you should do the following:
- Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
- Provide evidence to support your line of reasoning.
- Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
- Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
AP Lang Argument Essay Example
As the old phrase says, “Practice makes perfect.” But is perfection something that is actually attainable? Sometimes, pushing for perfection helps us achieve great things, but most often, perfectionism puts too much pressure on us and prevents us from knowing when we have done the best we can. Striving for perfection can only lead us to shortchange ourselves. Instead, we should value learning, growth, and creativity and not worry whether we are first or fifth best.
Students often feel the need to be perfect in their classes, and this can cause students to struggle or stop making an effort in class. In elementary and middle school, for example, I was very nervous about public speaking. When I had to give a speech, my voice would shake, and I would turn very red. My teachers always told me “relax!” and I got Bs on Cs on my speeches. As a result, I put more pressure on myself to do well, spending extra time making my speeches perfect and rehearsing late at night at home. But this pressure only made me more nervous, and I started getting stomach aches before speaking in public.
Once I got to high school, however, I started doing YouTube make-up tutorials with a friend. We made videos just for fun, and laughed when we made mistakes or said something silly. Only then, when I wasn’t striving to be perfect, did I get more comfortable with public speaking.
AP Lang Argumentative Essay Example (Continued)
In the world of art and business and science, perfectionism can also limit what we are able to achieve. Artists, for example, have to take risks and leave room for creativity. If artists strive for perfection, then they won’t be willing to fail at new experiments and their work will be less innovative and interesting. In business and science, many products, like penicillin for example, were discovered by accident. If the scientist who discovered penicillin mold growing on his petri dishes had gotten angry at his mistake and thrown the dishes away, he would never have discovered a medicine that is vital to us today.
Some fields do need to value perfection. We wouldn’t like it, for example, if our surgeon wasn’t striving for perfection during our operation. However, for most of us, perfectionism can limit our potential for learning and growth. Instead of trying to be perfect, we should strive to learn, innovate, and do our personal best.
AP Lang Argument Essay Example: Answer Breakdown
The sample AP Lang Argumentative Essay above has some strengths and some weaknesses. Overall, we would give this essay a 3 or a 4. Let’s break down what’s working and what could be improved:
- The essay offers a thesis that makes a clear argument that is relevant to the prompt: “Striving for perfection can only lead us to shortchange ourselves. Instead, we should value learning, growth, and creativity and not worry whether we are first or fifth best.”
- The first body paragraph provides evidence that supports the essay’s thesis. This student’s personal anecdote offers an example of a time when perfectionism led them to shortchange themselves.
- The second body paragraph provides additional evidence that supports the essay’s thesis. The example describing the discovery of penicillin offers another example of a situation in which perfectionism might have limited scientific progress.
- The writer offers commentary explaining how her examples of public speaking and penicillin illustrate that we should “value learning, growth, and creativity” over perfectionism.
- The essay follows one line of reasoning and does not stray into tangents.
- The essay is organized well with intro, body, and concluding paragraphs. Overall, it is easy to read and is free of grammar errors.
What could be improved:
- Although the second body paragraph provides one good specific example about the discovery of penicillin, the other examples it offers about art and business are only discussed generally and aren’t backed up with evidence. This paragraph would be stronger if it provided more examples. Or, if this writer couldn’t think of examples, they could have left out mentions of art and business altogether and included alternate evidence instead.
- This writer would more thoroughly support their argument if they were able to offer one more example of evidence. They could provide another personal anecdote, an example from history, or an example from current events.
- The writer briefly mentions the other side of the argument in their concluding paragraph: “Some fields do need to value perfection. We wouldn’t like it, for example, if our surgeon wasn’t striving for perfection during our operation.” Since it’s so brief a mention of the other side, it undermines the writer’s overall argument. This writer should either dedicate more time to reflecting on why even surgeons should “value learning, growth, and creativity” over perfectionism, or they should leave these sentences out.
AP Lang Argument Essay Example—More Resources
Looking for more tips to help you master your AP Lang Argumentative Essay? Brush up on 20 Rhetorical Devices High School Students Should Know and read our Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension .
If you’re ready to start studying for another part of the AP English Exam, find more expert tips in our How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis and How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Essay blog posts.
- High School Success
Christina Wood
Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.
- 2-Year Colleges
- ADHD/LD/Autism/Executive Functioning
- Application Strategies
- Best Colleges by Major
- Best Colleges by State
- Big Picture
- Career & Personality Assessment
- College Essay
- College Search/Knowledge
- College Success
- Costs & Financial Aid
- Data Visualizations
- Dental School Admissions
- Extracurricular Activities
- Graduate School Admissions
- High Schools
- Homeschool Resources
- Law School Admissions
- Medical School Admissions
- Navigating the Admissions Process
- Online Learning
- Outdoor Adventure
- Private High School Spotlight
- Research Programs
- Summer Program Spotlight
- Summer Programs
- Teacher Tools
- Test Prep Provider Spotlight
“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”
— Lynn O'Shaughnessy
Nationally Recognized College Expert
College Planning in Your Inbox
Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.
What are your chances of acceptance?
Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.
Your chancing factors
Extracurriculars.
How to Write the AP Lang Argument Essay + Examples
What’s covered:, what is the ap language argument essay, tips for writing the ap language argument essay, ap english language argument essay examples, how will ap scores impact my college chances.
In 2023, over 550,148 students across the U.S. took the AP English Language and Composition Exam, and 65.2% scored higher than a 3. The AP English Language Exam tests your ability to analyze a piece of writing, synthesize information, write a rhetorical essay, and create a cohesive argument. In this post, we’ll be discussing the best way to approach the argumentative essay section of the test, and we’ll give you tips and tricks so you can write a great essay.
The AP English Language Exam as of 2023 is structured as follows:
Section 1: 45 multiple choice questions to be completed in an hour. This portion counts for 45% of your score. This section requires students to analyze a piece of literature. The questions ask about its content and/or what could be edited within the passage.
Section 2: Three free response questions to be completed in the remaining two hours and 15 minutes. This section counts for 55% of your score. These essay questions include the synthesis essay, the rhetorical essay, and the argumentative essay.
- Synthesis essay: Read 6-7 sources and create an argument using at least three of the sources.
- Rhetorical analysis essay: Describe how a piece of writing evokes meaning and symbolism.
- Argumentative essay: Pick a side of a debate and create an argument based on evidence. In this essay, you should develop a logical argument in support of or against the given statement and provide ample evidence that supports your conclusion. Typically, a five paragraph format is great for this type of writing. This essay is scored holistically from 1 to 9 points.
Do you want more information on the structure of the full exam? Take a look at our in-depth overview of the AP Language and Composition Exam .
Although the AP Language Argument may seem daunting at first, once you understand how the essay should be structured, it will be a lot easier to create cohesive arguments.
Below are some tips to help you as you write the essay.
1. Organize your essay before writing
Instead of jumping right into your essay, plan out what you will say beforehand. It’s easiest to make a list of your arguments and write out what facts or evidence you will use to support each argument. In your outline, you can determine the best order for your arguments, especially if they build on each other or are chronological. Having a well-organized essay is crucial for success.
2. Pick one side of the argument, but acknowledge the other side
When you write the essay, it’s best if you pick one side of the debate and stick with it for the entire essay. All your evidence should be in support of that one side. However, in your introductory paragraph, as you introduce the debate, be sure to mention any merit the arguments of the other side has. This can make the essay a bit more nuanced and show that you did consider both sides before determining which one was better. Often, acknowledging another viewpoint then refuting it can make your essay stronger.
3. Provide evidence to support your claims
The AP readers will be looking for examples and evidence to support your argument. This doesn’t mean that you need to memorize a bunch of random facts before the exam. This just means that you should be able to provide concrete examples in support of your argument.
For example, if the essay topic is about whether the role of the media in society has been detrimental or not, and you argue that it has been, you may talk about the phenomenon of “fake news” during the 2016 presidential election.
AP readers are not looking for perfect examples, but they are looking to see if you can provide enough evidence to back your claim and make it easily understood.
4. Create a strong thesis statement
The thesis statement will set up your entire essay, so it’s important that it is focused and specific, and that it allows for the reader to understand your body paragraphs. Make sure your thesis statement is the very last sentence of your introductory paragraph. In this sentence, list out the key points you will be making in the essay in the same order that you will be writing them. Each new point you mention in your thesis should start a paragraph in your essay.
Below is a prompt and sample student essay from the May 2019 exam . We’ll look at what the student did well in their writing and where they could improve.
Prompt: “The term “overrated” is often used to diminish concepts, places, roles, etc. that the speaker believes do not deserve the prestige they commonly enjoy; for example, many writers have argued that success is overrated, a character in a novel by Anthony Burgess famously describes Rome as a “vastly overrated city,” and Queen Rania of Jordan herself has asserted that “[b]eing queen is overrated.”
Select a concept, place, role, etc. to which you believe that the term “overrated” should be applied. Then, write a well-developed essay in which you explain your judgment. Use appropriate evidence from your reading, experience, or observations to support your argument.
Sample Student Essay #1:
[1] Competition is “overrated.” The notion of motivation between peers has evolved into a source of unnecessary stress and even lack of morals. Whether it be in an academic environment or in the industry, this new idea of competition is harmful to those competing and those around them.
[2] Back in elementary school, competition was rather friendly. It could have been who could do the most pushups or who could get the most imaginary points in a classroom for a prize. If you couldn’t do the most pushups or win that smelly sticker, you would go home and improve yourself – there would be no strong feelings towards anyone, you would just focus on making yourself a better version of yourself. Then as high school rolled around, suddenly applying for college doesn’t seem so far away –GPA seems to be that one stat that defines you – extracurriculars seem to shape you – test scores seem to categorize you. Sleepless nights, studying for the next day’s exam, seem to become more and more frequent. Floating duck syndrome seems to surround you (FDS is where a competitive student pretends to not work hard but is furiously studying beneath the surface just like how a duck furiously kicks to stay afloat). All of your competitors appear to hope you fail – but in the end what do you and your competitor’s gain? Getting one extra point on the test? Does that self-satisfaction compensate for the tremendous amounts of acquired stress? This new type of “competition” is overrated – it serves nothing except a never-ending source of anxiety and seeks to weaken friendships and solidarity as a whole in the school setting.
[3] A similar idea of “competition” can be applied to business. On the most fundamental level, competition serves to be a beneficial regulator of prices and business models for both the business themselves and consumers. However, as businesses grew increasingly greedy and desperate, companies resorted to immoral tactics that only hurt their reputations and consumers as a whole. Whether it be McDonald’s coupons that force you to buy more food or tech companies like Apple intentionally slowing down your iPhone after 3 years to force you to upgrade to the newest device, consumers suffer and in turn speak down upon these companies. Similar to the evolved form of competition in school, this overrated form causes pain for all parties and has since diverged from the encouraging nature that the principle of competition was “founded” on.
The AP score for this essay was a 4/6, meaning that it captured the main purpose of the essay but there were still substantial parts missing. In this essay, the writer did a good job organizing the sections and making sure that their writing was in order according to the thesis statement. The essay first discusses how competition is harmful in elementary school and then discusses this topic in the context of business. This follows the chronological order of somebody’s life and flows nicely.
The arguments in this essay are problematic, as they do not provide enough examples of how exactly competition is overrated. The essay discusses the context in which competition is overrated but does not go far enough in explaining how this connects to the prompt.
In the first example, school stress is used to explain how competition manifests. This is a good starting point, but it does not talk about why competition is overrated; it simply mentions that competition can be unhealthy. The last sentence of that paragraph is the main point of the argument and should be expanded to discuss how the anxiety of school is overrated later on in life.
In the second example, the writer discusses how competition can lead to harmful business practices, but again, this doesn’t reflect the reason this would be overrated. Is competition really overrated because Apple and McDonald’s force you to buy new products? This example could’ve been taken one step farther. Instead of explaining why business structures—such as monopolies—harm competition, the author should discuss how those particular structures are overrated.
Additionally, the examples the writer used lack detail. A stronger essay would’ve provided more in-depth examples. This essay seemed to mention examples only in passing without using them to defend the argument.
It should also be noted that the structure of the essay is incomplete. The introduction only has a thesis statement and no additional context. Also, there is no conclusion paragraph that sums up the essay. These missing components result in a 4/6.
Now let’s go through the prompt for a sample essay from the May 2022 exam . The prompt is as follows:
Colin Powell, a four-star general and former United States Secretary of State, wrote in his 1995 autobiography: “[W]e do not have the luxury of collecting information indefinitely. At some point, before we can have every possible fact in hand, we have to decide. The key is not to make quick decisions, but to make timely decisions.”
Write an essay that argues your position on the extent to which Powell’s claim about making decisions is valid.
In your response you should do the following:
- Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position.
- Provide evidence to support your line of reasoning.
- Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
- Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.
Sample Student Essay #2:
Colin Powell, who was a four star general and a former United States Secretary of State. He wrote an autobiography and had made a claim about making decisions. In my personal opinion, Powell’s claim is true to full extent and shows an extremely valuable piece of advice that we do not consider when we make decisions.
Powell stated, “before we can have every possible fact in hand we have to decide…. but to make it a timely decision” (1995). With this statement Powell is telling the audience of his autobiography that it does not necessarily matter how many facts you have, and how many things you know. Being able to have access to everything possible takes a great amount of time and we don’t always have all of the time in the world. A decision has to be made with what you know, waiting for something else to come in while trying to make a decision whether that other fact is good or bad you already have a good amount of things that you know. Everyone’s time is valuable, including yours. At the end of the day the decision will have to be made and that is why it should be made in a “timely” manner.
This response was graded for a score of 2/6. Let’s break down the score to smaller points that signify where the student fell short.
The thesis in this essay is clearly outlined at the end of the first paragraph. The student states their agreement with Powell’s claim and frames the rest of their essay around this stance. The success in scoring here lies in the clear communication of the thesis and the direction the argument will take. It’s important to make the thesis statement concise, specific, and arguable, which the student has successfully done.
While the student did attempt to provide evidence to support their thesis, it’s clear that their explanation lacks specific detail and substance. They referenced Powell’s statement, but did not delve into how this statement has proven true in specific instances, and did not provide examples that could bring the argument to life.
Commentary is an essential part of this section’s score. It means explaining the significance of the evidence and connecting it back to the thesis. Unfortunately, the student’s commentary here is too vague and does not effectively elaborate on how the evidence supports their argument.
To improve, the student could use more concrete examples to demonstrate their point and discuss how each piece of evidence supports their thesis. For instance, they could discuss specific moments in Powell’s career where making a timely decision was more valuable than waiting for all possible facts. This would help illustrate the argument in a more engaging, understandable way.
A high score in the “sophistication” category of the grading rubric is given for demonstrating a complex understanding of the rhetorical situation (purpose, audience, context, etc.), making effective rhetorical choices, or establishing a line of reasoning. Here, the student’s response lacks complexity and sophistication. They’ve simply agreed with Powell’s claim and made a few general statements without providing a deeper analysis or effectively considering the rhetorical situation.
To increase sophistication, the student could explore possible counterarguments or complexities within Powell’s claim. They could discuss potential drawbacks of making decisions without all possible facts, or examine situations where timely decisions might not yield the best results. By acknowledging and refuting these potential counterarguments, they could add more depth to their analysis and showcase their understanding of the complexities involved in decision-making.
The student could also analyze why Powell, given his background and experiences, might have come to such a conclusion, thus providing more context and showing an understanding of the rhetorical situation.
Remember, sophistication in argumentation isn’t about using fancy words or complicated sentences. It’s about showing that you understand the complexity of the issue at hand and that you’re able to make thoughtful, nuanced arguments. Sophistication shows that you can think critically about the topic and make connections that aren’t immediately obvious.
Now that you’ve looked at an example essay and some tips for the argumentative essay, you know how to better prepare for the AP English Language and Composition Exam.
While your AP scores don’t usually impact your admissions chances , colleges do care a lot about your course rigor. So, taking as many APs as you can will certainly boost your chances! AP scores can be a way for high-performing students to set themselves apart, particularly when applying to prestigious universities. Through the process of self-reporting scores , you can show your hard work and intelligence to admissions counselors.
That said, the main benefit of scoring high on AP exams comes once you land at your dream school, as high scores can allow you to “test out” of entry-level requirements, often called GE requirements or distribution requirements. This will save you time and money.
To understand how your course rigor stacks up, check out CollegeVine’s free chancing engine . This resource takes your course rigor, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, to determine your chances of getting into over 1600 colleges across the country!
Related CollegeVine Blog Posts
![conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang conclusion for synthesis essay ap lang](https://blog.collegevine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/architectural-design-architecture-columns-2100942-150x150.jpg)
![](http://charunivedita.online/777/templates/cheerup2/res/banner1.gif)
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The AP Lang synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the Free Response section of the AP Lang exam. The exam presents 6-7 sources that are organized around a specific topic, with two of those sources purely visual, including a single quantitative source (like a graph or pie chart).
Let's get started by taking a closer look at how the AP Lang synthesis essay works! Synthesis Essay AP Lang: What It Is and How It Works. The AP Lang synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the Free Response section of the AP Lang exam. The AP Lang synthesis essay portion of the Free Response section lasts for one hour total ...
If you're taking the AP ® Lang exam, you might be wondering if a synthesis essay conclusion is even necessary. You also might be wondering how to write a synthesis essay conclusion. The answer to the first question is it depends. Keep reading to find out why. Priorities When Writing a Synthesis Essay Conclusion
The two synthesis essay questions below are examples of the question type that has been one of the three free-response questions on the AP English Language and Composition Exam as of the May 2007 exam. The synthesis question asks students to synthesize information from a variety of sources to inform their own discussion of a topic. Students are given a 15-minute reading period to accommodate ...
AP Lang Exam Basics. The AP Lang exam is separated into two sections. In the first section, students have one hour to answer a series of 45 multiple-choice questions. Here, about half of the questions are based on passages students read. The other half are focused on the best revision techniques.
Download free-response questions from this year's exam and past exams along with scoring guidelines, sample responses from exam takers, and scoring distributions. If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at ssd@info ...
AP®English Language and Composition Synthesis Essay Sample Student Responses. The College Board: Connecting Students to College Success. The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,000 schools ...
AP Lang test is the logical conclusion to the introductory college English composition course. And its most important (and often difficult) part is the AP Lang synthesis essay. Despite it being the very basic layer of your future composition skills, it's a very complicated challenge to approach unprepared. ...
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to write a strong synthesis essay for AP Lang: 1. **Understand the prompt**: Carefully read the prompt and make sure you understand what's being asked. Identify the main issue or topic you'll be addressing. 2. **Develop a thesis statement**: Your thesis statement should make a clear and specific claim ...
The newest section of the AP® English Language and Composition Exam, the synthesis essay, is one of three essays you will be completing during the examination's 2-hour free-response period. However, you'll also have a 15-minute reading and planning period just for this essay, and if you use this time to plan effectively, you can't go wrong.
Section II of the AP English Language and Composition exam includes three free-response questions that you must answer in 2 hours and 15 minutes. This guide will focus on Question 1 of Section II of the exam, the. Synthesis question. As with all AP exams with free-response questions, the Synthesis question has its own.
In your response you should do the following: Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible position. Select and use evidence from at least three of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary.
For everything you need to know about the AP English Language Exam, check out our ultimate guide: https://marcolearning.com/guide-to-the-ap-english-language-...
AP English Language Scoring Rubric, Free-Response Question 1-3 | SG 1 Scoring Rubric for Question 1: Synthesis Essay 6 points Reporting Category Scoring Criteria Row A Thesis (0-1 points) 4.B 0 points For any of the following: • There is no defensible thesis. • The intended thesis only restates the prompt.
Overview of AP Language and Composition. AP English Language and Composition, widely known as AP Lang, is a popular and engaging Advanced Placement course taken by over half a million high school students each year.The course is designed to hone essential skills such as analyzing written works, synthesizing information, constructing rhetorical essays, and writing compelling arguments.
In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I covered the basics of the three AP Lang Essays (Synthesis, Rhetoric, and Argument), how to generally approach them, and the six steps of writing a successful essay on test day, focusing on the Rhetoric Essay. Now, we'll look at the Synthesis and Argument Essays: how they differ from the Rhetoric Essay and how to apply the "six steps" to succeeding on them.
Additionally, practicing writing synthesis essays yourself using past exam prompts is an effective way to prepare for the AP Lang exam. As you practice, try to address different perspectives, incorporate sources effectively, and maintain a clear and logical organization in your essay. Good luck with your studying!
Typically, a good AP Lang synthesis essay will have around 3-4 well-constructed and reasoned body paragraphs, but this is just a general guideline. Conclusion Paragraph. Restate your THESIS statement in a new and interesting way (that is, do not simply repeat your thesis word-for-word as it appears in the introduction!).
AP® English Language and Composition 2022 Scoring Guidelines . Synthesis Essay 6 points . Since the early 2000s, the United States government and a number of corporations have sponsored initiatives to improve education in the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Sorry for the confusion, but you need at least 3 sources for the synthesis essay to do really well. Technically there's not a definitive number for argumentative essays, but I was always taught to use 4 pieces of evidence. 2 for each body paragraph. 3 pieces can be more than enough for a good score though I like to tie the evidence logically with each other. For example, I could do a personal ...
Typically, the AP Lang Argument Essay prompt asks you to reflect on a broad cultural, moral, or social issue that is open to debate. For evidence, you won't be asked to memorize and cite statistics or facts. Rather, you'll want to bring in real-world examples of: Historical events. Current-day events from the news.
8 - Effective. Essays earning a score of 8 effectively examine the factors a group or agency should consider in memorializing an event or person and in creating a monument. They develop their argument by effectively synthesizing* at least three of the sources. The evidence and explanations used are appropriate and convincing.
2. Pick one side of the argument, but acknowledge the other side. When you write the essay, it's best if you pick one side of the debate and stick with it for the entire essay. All your evidence should be in support of that one side. However, in your introductory paragraph, as you introduce the debate, be sure to mention any merit the ...