How To Write Ap Lang Synthesis Essay :Complete Guide

If you are an AP Language exam aspirant, then you must be knowing that 55% of your overall exam grade/score will primarily be based on three essay types. Synthesis essays are basically the first of the three essays that you will be writing during the AP language exam.

Having said that, going about a synthesis essay is no child’s play. However, it’s no rocket science either. Now that you are here, wondering how to go about the odds of an AP lang synthesis essay, take some time to read this blog.

It shall introduce you to the bigger picture with comprehensive elaboration on the broader dimension.

Happy reading!

 Synthesis Essay Introduction?

First things first, to begin with, one should get the hang of what exactly is a synthesis essay and what are its key components.

Take a look below; here’s everything you should know.

• A synthesis essay is nothing but a written document of discussion that incorporates support from multiple sources carrying different views.
• This is one of those assignments that require you to expand your research avenues and evaluate a wide array of sources in order to identify their correlation with your primary standpoint and thesis statement.
• In addition, this particular essay genre requires you lay a complete focus on the primary subject matter, its key components, research slants, and unique perspectives.

Now that you are aware of the basics and what it takes to initiate the task of drafting an AP lang synthesis essay, you must be eager to know how to write a synthesis essay for the AP lang exam.

So, let’s delve deeper to figure out the bigger picture in this context.

How To Write a Synthesis Essay for AP Lang Exams?

 Writing a synthesis essay comes with a couple of essential points and ground rules to follow. Unless you are well aware of its basics and how to go about the paper flawlessly, things won’t fall into place for you.

So, take some time to read through the suggestions with a clear elaboration on the various steps to be followed and never miss out on adding a dash of academic excellence to your next assignment.

Here you go!

Read More about how to write an act exam

Step 1: Read the assignment requirement thoroughly

This is as important as anything. The task of writing a synthesis essay comes with a lot of crucial pointers and aspects to be acknowledged. So, it is imperative that you must read through the assignment requirement from scratch and decide on the topic accordingly.

Step 2: Focus on the topic

• What is the topic all about?
• What should be my primary standpoint?
• Do I need any particular set of references or research findings to support certain claims or ideas?
• If yes, then do I go about the same or acquire the right information?
• Are there specific problems or points of conflict associated with the essay topic?
• If yes, then how do I plan to resolve such issues at the end of the day?

Once you have concrete answers to each of the questions mentioned above, you are good to go with the next step.

Once you are done finding the right answers to each of the questions mentioned above, you should head towards framing the perfect thesis for the synthesis essay.

Here’s how.

• Focus on making a claim after reading through several texts, research findings, data, and journals related to the topic.
• Remember, you need to justify why you have made certain claims or why you perceive certain things in a certain manner.
• Prior to coming up with the thesis, you may choose to annotate each text in order to understand what the authors are saying and how they choose to connect certain things with the perfect establishment of a strong correlation.
• Your primary aim is to include the primary subject of discussion, your stance on the same, and its potential significance and justified understanding.

Simply keep referring to more such elucidated suggestions on landing the perfect thesis and always stay a step ahead in your quest for making a striking impression on your professor.

Well, this is yet another crucial point to be noted a quintessential step to be followed. There is no perfect essay without a perfect outline. So, take note of the following suggestions and know how to go about this task.

• Use Roman numerals in order to list out your topic along with other supporting data and research findings.
• You may break down each point into subcategories you can chalk out specific points you can create and the type of references to be drawn for the same.
• Make sure to strategize the introductory note beforehand by keeping the section precise yet impactful in all shapes and forms.
• Also, plan the perfect main body paragraphs by jotting down each point and perspective in a uniquely engaging manner.
• It is equally crucial that you come up with relevant examples and evidence in support of the particular idea, slant, claim, and the like.

Simply keep referring back to more such suggestions and then go and leave no stone unturned to ensure a perfectly flawless outline for your next synthesis essay paper.

You cannot go about a synthesis essay without adding a structured bibliography. Now that you are unaware of the key essentials of a flawless bibliography, take a look below for real suggestions.

• It should essentially be a list of sources you used while drafting the essay.
• So, be careful in terms of listing out each source with precision without including a wrong entry or repetitive sources for the same stance.
• You may include any work, names of journals, articles, or any other source that was used to add relevance to the essay with a valid standpoint.

Once you are done listing out the sources and creating the bibliographical structure, always take out some time to revise the section from scratch and see if each entry was accurately included and of course in the right order.

This is absolutely important. You cannot ensure a flawlessly framed synthesis essay if it lacks the right format and structural elements.

Take a look below to know how to format a synthesis essay in the right manner.

• Review the assignment from scratch once you are done with the process of writing.
• See if the paper has been referenced and cited in the right order and of course, on the basis of the preferred citation style as observed across APA, MLA, Vancouver, Oxford, or Harvard format.
• Keep an eye out for chunky paragraphs and break down the same into smaller, simpler, and readable fragments.

Last but certainly not least, you should take some time out to read the entire essay from scratch, clear and loud. This way, you will be able to hear out your content and identify the areas that need to be revised or tweaked further.

The idea is to find a quiet corner of your room and read through the entire essay from scratch.

Keep jotting down the points and the phrases you might feel are odd or irrelevant and change each one of them once you are done revising the entire piece.

The Essentials of the AP Lang Exam

Now that you are aware of the basics of writing a synthesis essay, you should get the hang of the key essentials and components of the AP Lang exam pattern. Too eager to figure it out?

Here’s everything you need to know.

• The AP Lang exam recommends you take at least 15 minutes to read through the sources carefully.
• So, it is suggested that you should spend enough time reading through the sources thoroughly and utilize the 15-minute window to the fullest.
• The exam pattern comprises three essay prompts – namely, a rhetorical essay, an argumentative essay, and a synthesis essay.
• So, you have to be careful here in this context, in terms of narrowing down each essay genre.
• Also, make sure to avoid mixing up conventions and certain ground rules of a synthesis essay with that of a rhetorical or argument essay.
• The exam is 3 hours 15 minutes long and comprises 45 multiple-choice questions and three free-response questions.

So, you should go through the guidelines carefully and leave no loophole in the matter of abiding by the exam basics and adding excellence to the synthesis essay at the end of the day.

Things To Avoid During An AP Lang Synthesis Essay Exam

 It goes without saying, the AP Language exam pattern is a long, convoluted format that comes with a plethora of essentialities to consider from time to time. Having said that, one must go through the entire format of the exam thoroughly and consider avoiding the following three common mistakes during an ongoing AP language exam.

Here’s all you need to know.

• Poor Time Management

As you know the AP Lang exam comes with a time frame of 3 hours and 15 minutes in total, you should be quite careful with the essentials of time management. Many a time, students fail to finish all three essays, or at times they may miss out on adding the right elements across synthesis essay slants. It is advised to take enough time to settle down, think over the topic, know what you are supposed to do, and proceed accordingly in a structured and calculative manner.

Especially, when it comes to writing a synthesis essay, you should ideate each segment before initiating the final draft. You can begin with the main body paragraphs at first, and frame the introductory note based on the content put across the body paragraphs.

Lastly, you should conclude the essay with key takeaways and a strong establishment of the correlation between the thesis/introduction and the main body paragraphs.

This way, you can divide each task in accordance with the time frame and wrap up the same within the mentioned deadline.

• Misinterpreting certain questions

As already mentioned earlier, you are supposed to answer a few questions prior to initiating the final draft of the synthesis essay.

So, your job is to read through each question thoroughly and delve into the crux of the matter prior to proceeding with the main content.

Do not misinterpret questions or the very idea of what needs to be included and elaborated across the paper. Take enough time to brainstorm and evaluate each question from scratch.

• Choosing the wrong references

You cannot go about a synthesis essay without citing proper references. Having said that, students are, at times, found to miss out on adding the right reference or citing real information instead of fluffs and fillers.

So, it is advised that you should spend enough time evaluating the subject matter and expanding all research avenues to come up with detailed insights into the main context of the discussion.

A Clear Insight Into The Synthesis Essay Paragraphs

Let me feel safe to assume that you are now aware of the things to avoid or the common mistakes you should pay heed to.

Now, let’s move on to the next important segment of this blog which is developing a clear insight into the synthesis essay paragraphs.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Here, you should introduce the essay prompt and elaborate on the subject you will be writing your synthesis essay about. Make it a point to introduce the crux of the matter in simple yet impactful words and phrases. Doi not come up with unnecessary sentences and exaggeration of facts and figures.

Rather, focus on putting across a strong opinion or standpoint based on the subject. Elaborate on how you perceive certain things and what are your end goals.

Do not come up with unclear sentences or perspectives that are too convoluted for a layman to understand. Most importantly, you should be focusing on writing short sentences and projecting clear ideas.

The second paragraph should essentially deal with the prompt that presents a clear and specific claim regarding the concept of the subject matter or the specific domain of the discussion. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider.

• Here, in this paragraph, you should essentially decide whether you want to challenge, defend or qualify that particular claim in the synthesis essay paper.
• The paragraph should elaborate on what you think about the topic and what claims you would bring forth.
• And when it comes to claims, you cannot afford to state them without proper evidence or background data.
• Consider using at least three valid sources in support of the claims – no matter whether you choose to challenge or defend the topic.

The third paragraph should essentially come up with a much-detailed approach and an elaborative explanation of the crux of the matter. Here, you should make the main point of the argument your primary focus.

In addition, you should use research materials and findings from at least three sources in order to develop and explain your main point of argument.

Also, it is crucial that you should include proper citations, and use quotes and relevant phrases to make the paper and its primary claims stronger and more relevant.

So, refer back to this blog in times of need, embrace the best brainstorming session ever, take note of each of the key components discussed in this blog and always stay a step ahead in your quest for securing the top spot in class.

Cheers!

Ap Lang Synthesis Essay Example

Here is a lucid example of an AP Lang Synthesis essay for your reference and idea.

Also Read: How to Write a discussion post

FAQs Related To Ap Lang Synthesis Essay

Follow these simple steps to know how to write a synthesis essay.

• Focus on the primary topic or the main context of the discussion.
• Now, decide on the stance or the fact of whether you want to challenge or defend the topic in the first place.
• Be careful with the types of references to be used or the information you would come up with in order to back certain claims.
• Make sure they are relevant, rational, and ethically acceptable in all forms.
• Lastly, invest enough time in revising the paper from scratch and weed out every probable mistake and goof-up with precision.

Q2. What is a synthesis writing example?

The synthesis writing format deals with the essentialities of making connections or binding things together. The idea is to synthesize information and data naturally in order to allow others to see and understand the connections between the mentioned subjects or things.

Q3. Is a Synthesis Essay Summary?

No, a synthesis essay is not a summary. Rather, it’s a proper essay. It is written on the basis of the successful accumulation of research information on the given subject matter with the aim to discover meaningful connections between the things, aspects, or the concerned subject matter.

Here are the four major steps of synthesizing.

• Organize your sources well
• Outline your structure
• Come up with paragraphs with topic sentences
• Revise the paper, edit, and proofread the same

Here are the key significances of the synthesis essay.

• A synthesis essay combines paraphrased data where the writer comes up with information from several sources.
• The essay content demonstrates and elaborates on a lot of scholarly information and probabilities.
• It establishes how the paper connects two things or ideas and develops a point of argument accordingly.

As per the AP Lang exam pattern, a synthesis essay comprises six points. Take a look below to understand the numerical breakup.

• 0-1 points for writing a thesis
• 0-4 points for incorporating evidence and commentary
• 0-1 points for the sophistication of thoughts, and elaboration of complex understanding

Yes, of course, they do. But, in the case of synthesis essays, it is even more important for you to pay heed to the other aspects such as the thesis, introductory notes, and the main body paragraphs with flawlessly organized references.

Here’s what you should essentially avoid in a synthesis essay.

• Do not come up with multiple points of argument in a single paragraph.
• Do not build an argument, solely based on the sources and certain chunks of information.
• Do not come up with ambiguous references or information that lacks validation.
• Do not just paraphrase or copy certain thoughts and perspectives from other sources.
• Instead, focus on your own thoughts and fresh perspectives.

Here’s how you should start a good synthesis essay.

• Focus on the topic or the main context of the discussion.
• See if the subject matter is relevant to your area of specialization.
• Make sure you have enough points and aspects to synthesize the content.
• Come up with a good hook and keep the introductory note short and precise.
• Do not exaggerate facts and figures ambiguously.
• Keep things relatable and rationally acceptable in all forms and shapes.

Follow these suggestions and know how to submit your next synthesis essay paper ahead of the actual deadline.

• Focus on the actual deadline.
• See how narrow or long the date of submission is.
• Now, chalk out the perfect plan and structure your assignment in accordance with the assigned deadline.
• Make it a point to work on at least 3-4 pages of the essay on a regular basis.