Did you know that the basic component of your college English composition is the AP Lang test? Now you know. However, the most crucial, and oftentimes challenging, is the AP Language Synthesis Essay. 

Here’s the catch though, if you’re not well prepared, and careful, it could be your downfall. Think of it as the foundation of your future writing abilities.

Did you know that all students require a specific skill set to write an assignment? Not to mention each year’s test is different. 

Now, let’s explore what an AP Lang Synthesis essay is, help you understand what to expect on your test, and how to write it, shall we?

What is the Synthesis Essay AP Lang?

The AP Lang exam is the first of three (free-response essays) you’ll take. So basically, the Synthesis Essay AP Lang exam tests your ability to synthesize and analyze information from various sources so you can develop a to develop a well-organized and well-supported argument.

Brace yourself, the AP Lange exam is lengthy. As a student, who wants to pass the AP test, you must be well-versed in various rubics. In the first half, you have reading and writing. In the second half, however, you’ll cover three distinct kinds of essays, but they are free-form. 

Note: There are three types of AP Lang rubrics, and the synthesis essay is the most interesting and, for some students, the most challenging. Let’s break it down further

The Purpose of the AP Lang exam;

• That’s easy; helps to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate different perspectives.
• Also helps to showcase your skills, combine information from a variety of sources, and then create a unique, unified, and insightful argument. 
• Even better, your essay helps examiners access your communication, and writing skills. That includes a clear thesis statement, evidence integration, and finally, logical reasoning. 
• In addition to 6-7 sources of text, you will be given visuals (graphs, charts), and one quantitative source (data or statistics)

Types of Synthesis Essays

There are different types of Synthesis essays, but the most common ones are argumentative and explanatory essays. Now let’s take a deeper dive into the two different synthesis essay types.

• Explanatory Synthesis Essay

The sole purpose of an explanatory essay is to cover a subject, dive deeper into the subject matter, and demonstrate your level of understanding of the subject. And here’s the upside, convincing the readers about something is very easy, even without getting into a debate. In other words, it’s the easy part, and to achieve that, all you must do is compile an unbiased summary.

• Argumentative Synthesis Essay

On the other hand, an argumentative essay involves personal opinions. There could be a possibility of bias, but that must be as objective and fact-based as possible. Here, rather than depending on just your feelings, you must stick to logical and objective facts when presenting your argument. This is a one-way strategy to strengthening your claims.

The Synthesis Essay Structure 

The structure of synthesis papers closely resembles a typical argumentative outline, which comprises an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The major distinction, however, lies in the origin of your reasoning. In that regard, you must provide supporting evidence in at the very least, three sources that ensure your findings possess a sturdy foundation. 

Below, we provide an outline of each section and a variety of AP Lang argument essay examples:

Introduction

Hook: This is your chance to grab the reader’s attention from the start – ask a question concerning the topic, or start with an attention-grabbing statement. Here is also where you briefly write about the topic you’ll cover. 

Example: The debate over the impact of social media on society has greatly intensified in today’s interconnected world, where information is readily available.”

Background information: Here, you provide better and more in-depth information about your chosen topic and the sources you provided. Not just that, you must also share some background details as well.

Example: “With the rise of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, discussions about the influence of social media on individuals and communities have become increasingly prominent.”

Thesis statement: Clearly state your stance on the issue and preview the main points before explaining them in detail. Now your thesis statement must cover three ideas about the topic you selected.

Example: “A closer examination reveals that the use of social media is harmful to mental health, social interactions, and people’s privacy. Despite these allegations, some argue that social media not only fosters meaningful connections but also facilitates communication. 

Body paragraphs

Topic sentence: At this point, you introduce your paragraph’s main points, (3 to 4 paragraphs). Also, make sure to start each new paragraph with a new idea, or thought. 

Furthermore, it’s essential to use quotation marks if and when you directly copy someone else’s work. Don’t forget, that your evidence source must be reliable, for instance, cite information that doesn’t belong to you.

Example: “The first is the fact that social media contributes to mental health issues by promoting unrealistic standards and fostering comparisons among users.”

Conclusion

Now this section logically concludes your paper. Remember to summarize only the topics you mentioned in your introduction and body. Also, don’t introduce any new ideas because this is where you win, or lose a game. 

This section must convince your audience beyond reasonable doubt and leave it with a long-lasting impression. Lastly, be sure to use specific quotes or examples from the sources you provided as this reinforces your argument. 

6 Essential Steps To Writing a Synthesis Essay

Now that we have gotten a rough idea of what a synthesis essay is, plus its structure, it is time to move on to the next step, which is how to write an AP synthesis essay.

Read to understand 

It is standard practice for students to read and understand every detail of any assignment, and the AP Lang is no exception. Your teachers may even ask a question regarding a particular subject. Or you could be assigned a reading from academic journals, articles, or other sources. 

First, you must identify your topic, along with any specific instructions provided. Next, take a few minutes to read through your resources and argument formulation. Always take your time to understand before committing to your argument. 

That’s why you must read to understand what your assignment entails, and this will help you keep a clear thought process.

Choose a topic carefully

Regardless of whether your instructors require you to conduct your research, always choose the topic very carefully. Annotating each text is also a great way to fully understand the author’s point of view and their connections. The most crucial part of synthesis essays is the ability to compare and contrast ideas from various sources. 

Always note evidence, key reasoning, and rhetorical strategies employed by the authors. Lastly, you must consider the perspectives presented and how they relate to the overall topic of your choosing.

Ensure you read all the resources, regardless of whether you’ll only utilize 3 out of 6-7 resources provided. This approach enhances your understanding of the topic and also aids in choosing the most relevant sources for your essay.

Formulate a thesis

This is the tricky bit- formulating a thesis. You must develop a clear and debatable thesis statement that presents your point of view on the chosen topic. 

Always take time to read each source in-depth, and then create a synthesis essay AP lang thesis statement. Never overlook details. The thesis statement is the baseline of your writing. It must stand out. Write it clearly and concisely. 

The good news is, that you have three options on how you can structure your thesis statement in your synthesis essay AP Lang which defending, challenging, or qualifying your claims. 

• Defending: Here, your task is to demonstrate the claim’s validity.
• Challenging: Next you must refute the claim’s validity.
• Qualifying: Lastly, you must acknowledge some aspects of the claim while disputing others.

Tip: Your thesis doesn’t just respond directly to the prompt, but also exhibits an in-depth understanding of your thoughts, then finally preview the main points you will discuss. 

Your thesis should respond directly to the prompt, exhibit sophistication of thought, and preview the main points you will discuss in your writing.

Plan your composition

Creating an outline may seem like a waste of time, especially during your exam. Doing so helps in organizing your essay structure. Additionally, you must include your thesis statement and 3 supporting pieces of evidence for each body paragraph in your outline. 

Moreover, below each evidence point, you must also include 2 -3 details supporting your claims, and then explain how that evidence reinforces your thesis. Not just that, it’s advisable to use Roman numerals to keep your thesis structure organized. 

Complete your text

From this point, it should be a breeze. Compose your document, and it should be much easier, especially if you crafted an outline, and annotated your sources. Make sure to pay special attention to your supporting arguments commentary paragraphs. These sections are especially important when explaining how your evidence aligns with your claims.

Pro Tip: Whenever you cite your sources, make sure to apply the same strategies every annotated bibliography writer does. Always use in-text citations like “source 1”, “source 2” etc. Keep in mind, that in-text citations are crucial to your essay’s score and are vital to the process. 

Proofread

Make no mistake, this is the last but very important section. Here, you check your AP Lang argument essay for grammatical errors, like punctuation, spelling errors, clarity, and accuracy. Once done, make revisions accordingly, to improve your essay’s overall quality.

Following the above steps, will not only help you write your papers effectively but also ace the exams while demonstrating a high level of critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis. 

Bottom Line

With the right resources and guidance, you can complete your AP Lang synthesis essay thesis without any issues. Make sure to utilize the strategies we explained above to navigate any challenges you face when writing the AP Lang synthesis essay. 

If you require additional support or assistance in refining your essays or writing them from scratch, Peachy Essay is your best bet. You can’t go wrong with our team of professional and experienced writers, as our platform goes beyond and excels in creating the best of all.