Name: ___________________________________________ Hour:_________ Date:_______________
Synthesis Guided Notes
Defining Synthesis
General definition: “the combination of ideas to form a theory or system.”
As an AP essay: one of the three essays you’ll write on the exam. You’ll be given ___six_________sources related to a
common topic, with a writing prompt on that topic. You will use at least ____three________of the given sources to
__support___________your response.
“As novices in this endeavor, [students] needed to learn that accomplished academic writers don't simply draw material
from published sources as if the sources were maples being tapped for their sap. On the contrary, savvy writers converse
with sources and incorporate (literally: em-body) them in their argument.”
--David Jolliffe, University of Arkansas
Our Working Definition:
When synthesizing_________________, writers draw upon arguments from multiple sources, _strategically
______________ selecting the most __relevant _____________information, and combine __apt and
specific_________________ source material as part of __their own_______________ argument.
The Steps of Synthesis
1. Read & Analyze
2. Generalize& form a thesis
3. Converse with the sources & refine thesis
4. Write paper
Step 1: Read & Analyze
● What _claim___________is the source making about the issue?
● What data or __evidence_____________ does the source offer in ___support __________of that claim?
● Is there evidence of _bias________, or areas that prompt ___questions___________?
Practice: Read each article on “Sharenting.” Make notes in the margins and identify the main claims (C) , evidence (E),
and questions you have (Q) for each source.
Step 2: Generalize & Form Thesis
After you finish reading and analyzing, jot down some ideas:
● What 2 or 3 (or more) _positions______________on the issue could I take?
● What position do I want to take for my essay? why?
● Keep an open mind; sometimes a __less obvious___________________ approach is more successful.
Practice: List 3 potential claims you could make about “Sharenting” after having read the articles (see the specific prompt
at the top of the sources). Decide which one you would like to use and put a ✓ next to it.
1. Most parents don’t give their children a say when posting them online.
2. Children grow up feeling more self-aware
3. Parents feel connected to others when posting about their families.
4. Step 3: Converse with the Sources & Refine Thesis
● Imagine presenting each of his or her best positions on the issue to each of the authors of the provided sources.
● Role-playing the author or creator of each source, create an imaginary conversation between yourself and the
author/creator of the source.
● Would the author/creator agree with the writer's position? Why? Disagree? Why? Want to qualify it in some way?
Why and how?
Practice:
My Source: 1 2 3 4
What each source would say to my thesis (don’t leave your own box blank!)
Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
Source 4
Refined thesis:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Step 4: Write the Essay
● Organizing a synthesis essay can be the same as _______________essays.
● Different methods of development may be appropriate for different _____________and _____________ (cause-
effect, compare-contrast, narrative, definition)
● A common method of development for synthesis topics is the ______________________ method of
development.
○ Introduce the problem and give the context of who/what is affected by it (couple of paragraphs)
○ Propose a solution (this is your thesis statement) and give evidence of its effectiveness (couple of
paragraphs or more)
○ Conclusion to wrap it up and tie the problem and solution together.
Practice (Homework)
Write a brief, 3-paragraph problem-solution essay to the “Sharenting” prompt. Use evidence from at least 3 of the sources
provided. No outside sources should be consulted.
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