Synthesizing Sources (TLC 2, Pages 145-152, 160-164)

When using two-column notes, I’ve provided most of the big ideas in the left column.
Now it’s up to you to record at least two key details, in bullet points, in the right column (or
three where I’ve provided three bullet points). You’re building your own study guide, so you’re
welcome to exceed two bullet points if you’d like.
You don’t have to complete the textbook’s activities you’ll encounter in your study.

Key Ideas Supporting Details

Introduction (page 145) ● Synthesis is the process which involves considering various
viewpoints in order to create a new and more informed
viewpoint
● Entering a conversation by carefully reading and
understanding the perspectives surrounding an issue,
examining your own ideas on the matter, and then
synthesizing these views into a more informed position
than the one you began with
● Be aware if bias that a source brings to a topic
● Consider the speaker, how might the speakers position
provide personal gain

Using Sources to Inform an ● Sources should enhance not not replace your argument
Argument ● What you have to say is the main event/your position is
central
● Instead of citing within the text, one can include info from
the sources she cites at the end of the book

Using Sources to Appeal to ● An example from the text explains that there are no formal
an Audience forms of citing a text, the author uses playful words that
aren't too technical. He also doesn't go into research that
led to conclusions
● The type of evidence and the way it is documented depends
on audience and situation
● Your goal is to use sources to support your own ideas and
to establish credibility as a reasonable and informed writer
Writing a Synthesis Essay ● Engage in the process of selection ( explore the individuals
(page 160) text and start seeing connections among them)
● Understand each text on its own terms, even if you disagree
with its ideas or position
● Texts that present different viewpoints from you are often
important to the development of your argument 3
Identifying the Issues: ● You can rarely change a reader’s mind, at least not
Recognizing Complexity radically or immediately
● The goal is to make a compelling argument that leaves the
reader thinking
● Aim to compel an argument that leaves the reader thinking
and questioning
● to write qualifies arguments, you must anticipate objections
to your argument
● There are more than two sides to the issue: more than pro
and con

Formulating your position ● Before formulating my position, I need to understand all

the issues the sources are talking about
● For example, address complex issues that surround the
main argument that [Link] presenting: does it require
community service?Does requiring it discourage future
participation

Framing Quotations ● You need sources to strengthen your own argument

● Include a sentence or two of an explanation or commentary
with each quote
● You can also follow a quote with a sentence or two of
commentary to remind the readers of your point and how
the quote reinforces it

Integrating quotations ● Having more sources in my argument means I need to be

diligent about quoting them smoothly so I can transition
from my voice to theirs without throwing off my readers
● Integrate the quotations into your own sentences, the
readers can follow your argument

Citing Sources (skip the ● Include the source number or the authors name in
last paragraph except its parentheses after the quote of paraphrase it
last three sentences) ● Mention the author and the title of the work in the sentence
introducing or including the quote
● Questions how people call on resources to reinforce their
positions and how people enter ongoing conversations and
how it moves forward

AP Classroom Videos

Review Session 3: ● The synthesis tasks are to understand the prompt, the
Synthesis Task: Analyzing sources, the claims, and the line of reasoning
the Prompt
 ● Understand the soaps of the argumentative essay that the
prompt states. When looking at the prompts understand
what we know about the rhetorical situation, our initial
response, and lastly what we can anticipate from the
sources
● Must use three sources, select specific evidence, explain
how the evidence supports the claim, how much
commentary, enter the conversation, establish line of
reasoning
Review Session 4: ● Think of these specific thing when understanding the
Synthesis Task: Writing the rhetorical situation of the prompts: financial, safety,
Essay ethical, environmental, international, technology, and
time
● In row A, you should have a thesis (defensible), the Row
B should be the line of reasoning and it should be in
between sustained discussions, Row C should dsplay a
vividness of style and explains or shows complexities
between the sources you choose
● Address the prompts with a thesis with a defensible
positions, the sophistication points should be adresses
throught the extended line of reasoning