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English Composition and Rhetoric Unit 6: Synthesis and the writing process

Good writing comes from a process. Synthesis essays combine several sources to support your own argument.

Covers: Prewriting and outlining, drafting, revising vs editing, synthesis essays, timed writing strategies

Study guide

The writing process is recursive: writers move back and forth among its stages. Prewriting includes brainstorming, freewriting, listing, mapping ideas, researching and narrowing a topic. Outlining organizes the thesis, main points and evidence before drafting, which keeps the argument focused, especially under time pressure.

Drafting gets ideas down in full sentences and paragraphs. A first draft doesn't need to be perfect; the goal is to develop the argument. Revising means rethinking content and structure: Is the thesis clear and arguable? Does each paragraph support it? Is the evidence strong and explained? Is the order logical? Revising can mean adding, cutting, moving and rewriting whole sections, and it benefits from feedback from peers or instructors. Editing comes later and fixes sentence-level issues: grammar, punctuation, word choice, clarity and formatting. Proofreading catches final typos.

A synthesis essay builds an argument using several sources. The key is that your argument comes first and the sources support it, rather than summarizing each source in turn. Put sources in conversation with one another: show where they agree, disagree, or add to each other, and explain how they support your claims. Cite each source.

Timed writing, as on AP exams, rewards a plan. Read the prompt carefully and identify exactly what it asks. Spend a few minutes outlining your thesis and main points. Write a clear thesis early, organize with topic sentences, use specific evidence with commentary, and save a couple of minutes to reread. A focused, well-supported argument beats a long, unorganized one.

On the AP synthesis essay, draw on at least three of the provided sources. Identify each one by its letter or a short description, as in (Source C). Explain how each piece of source material supports your own claim instead of letting the source stand alone. A more sophisticated synthesis points out tensions or limits in the sources, such as a study's small sample or a source with an obvious interest. It explains how those tensions shape your position rather than ignoring them.

When editing, check a short list of high-frequency errors. Fix comma splices and run-ons. Keep items joined by paired words (not only…but also, either…or) in the same grammatical form. Make verbs agree with their true subjects. Compare like with like ("higher than those of last year," not "higher than last year"). During revision, check that the thesis and topic sentences match what each paragraph actually argues. Cut details that don't serve the purpose, and make sure tone and word choice suit the intended audience.

Key ideas

• Prewrite: brainstorm, then outline your thesis and main points.
• Revising changes ideas and organization; editing fixes grammar and wording.
• Synthesis: use at least three sources to support your claim, not just summarize them.
• Put sources in conversation: show where they agree or disagree.
• In timed essays, spend a few minutes planning before you write.

Formulas and rules

Common mistakes

• Summarizing each source in turn instead of building an argument.
• Skipping the planning step in timed writing.

Words to know

Revising vs editing

Revising changes content and structure; editing fixes sentences and errors.

Synthesis essay

An argument supported by several sources.

Putting sources in conversation

Showing how sources relate, agree or disagree.

Prewriting

The first step of writing: brainstorming and planning.

Outline

A plan of claims and evidence that keeps an essay organized.

Brainstorming

Generating ideas freely before drafting.

Freewriting

Writing nonstop to discover ideas.

Drafting

Getting ideas down in full sentences and paragraphs.

Revising

Changing content and structure.

Editing

Fixing grammar, punctuation and word choice.

Proofreading

A final check for typos.

Peer review

Getting feedback from classmates on a draft.

Timed-writing plan

Read the prompt, outline briefly, state the thesis early, save time to reread.

Sample practice questions

13 more questions like these, from level 1 to 5, are in the practice set.