<p>Hello, I'll be taking the AP Lang exam in May, but we haven't done any synthesis essays yet. I barely know anything about it, all my teacher says is that it's "like a history DBQ" with no further elaborations on the structure and content of the essay. And the worst part of it is that we'll be doing a synthesis exam the day we get back from spring break, so I must be prepared.</p>
<p>So what is exactly is a synthesis essay? Is it graded very much like a DBQ?</p>
<p>In the past few years of English, have you done a research essay, where you have to cite sources? If you have, that’s a synthesis essay, but it has to be argumentative since you’re expected to agree, qualify, or disagree with the given prompt. Like any AP English Lang. essay, it is judged by content and style. And you have to make sure you cite three documents. For citing, you can quote, summarize, and paraphrase, as long as you mention a source. That’s pretty much a synthesis essay. So, if you receive a good score on your argumentative essay in your AP English class and you can cite a source, you’re pretty much set.</p>
<p>Awesome (sorry, I actually just went to school today even though it’s the week of Spring Break to take a practice test for next month).</p>
<p>Okay, so here’s how it works. Keep in mind that my advice/info is NOT perfect, but it is information nonetheless and if anyone feels that I’ve said something wrong, then feel free to correct it.</p>
<p>First, you’re given 15 minutes along with six (6) sources to read and prepare - no writing is allowed during this time. Generally you get one source that is purely data, meaning that it can be a graph, etc etc. The rest can be passages taken from literature or media sources such as magazines/newspapers. If you’re the type that is in love with taking notes as you read and brainstorming, then perfect (I’m not, that’s my weakness haha). Otherwise you can be like me and just unleash a “somewhat” organized stream of thoughts. As for the rest, it’s just a standard timed essay where you’re given 40 minutes after the prep time of 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Any other questions? Not clear enough? Let me know 
Hope this helps.</p>
<p>EDIT:</p>
<p>Oh yes, oops I almost forgot the most important part! You’re expected to use three of the six given passages. Just be sure to paraphrase or quote when something in the given text correlates with something that you’ve either just written or are about to write.</p>
<p>The synthesis essay is not graded like a history DBQ.</p>
<p>History DBQ’s are graded on a strict rubric system. As long as you follow the guidelines, you can attain a high score. You don’t have to be an eloquent writer.</p>
<p>On the other hand, synthesis essays are graded holistically.</p>
<p>Thanks, I was wondering the same thing. In my class we haven’t practiced sythesis essays at all, my teacher never even went into any kind of detail about what they are.</p>