How to Write a Perfect Synthesis Essay for the AP Language Exam


Below is a sample question from the AP Lang synthesis essay and a response to the prompt. This question was taken directly from a . However, the response to the question will be originally crafted for the purpose of this newsletter. As well, all supporting evidence will be originally created and does not correspond to any previous test.


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 the additional reading required for the question.

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!

How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay with Example

Note: A good strategy to study for the synthesis essay AP Lang exam is to review your and . Understanding how these devices function can be essential in constructing a cohesive essay.

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. () We recommend taking a close look at it since it includes additional details about the synthesis essay scoring.

Approximately 300 AP English Language and Composition students from eight schools in New York, Maine, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Florida, and New Mexico wrote responses to this synthesis topic. Students from these schools were given a 15-minute reading period followed by a 40-minute writing period in which to complete the sample synthesis assignment.

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.


Synthesis Overview | AP English Language Class Notes | Fiveable

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:

How to Write a Synthesis Essay | AP Lang Q1 Tips | Coach Hall Writes

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.

How do I approach the AP Lang synthesis essay? - CollegeVine

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.

How to Ace the AP Language Synthesis Essay - YouTube

If you’re looking for a full unit on the AP Lang synthesis essay, consider . It includes a full practice prompt, a student-friendly version of the new rubric, numerous detailed lesson plans and handouts, and guidance for stressed-out teachers who need creative ideas for both initial instruction and review.

AP Language Synthesis Review Tips - Angie Kratzer

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.

Free AP Synthesis Essay Materials - The Practical English Teacher

The newest section of the 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.