1. APUSH DBQ vs. AP
Language Synthesis Essay:
Face off

2. What is a Synthesis Essay
and why should I care?
• The synthesis essay is the biggest fish to fry
on the AP English exam. It is the rough
equivalent of an APUSH DBQ, and can
make or break your AP score.
• Time alotted: 60 minutes. (15 reading and
45 writing recommended)

3. What is synthesis?
• Per the College Board: “The synthesis
question asks students to synthesize
information from a variety of sources to
inform their own discussion of a topic.”
• “The combining of separate elements or
substances to form a coherent whole.”

4. What is synthesis?
•entering a conversation about a topic.
•supporting your own ideas with outside
sources.
•noticing how sources connect to one another
and to your own ideas.
•grouping sources in meaningful ways based
on these connections

5. What Synthesis prompts to expect
• defend/challenge/qualify or develop a position about
some claim (involves weighing pros and cons and often,
cost-benefits analysis of a particular
perspective/solution)
• evaluate considerations (still an argument, but an
argument about which are the most important
considerations)

6. MEET OUR TWO
CONTENDERS…
DBQ SYNTHESIS ESSAY
•2004 French and Indian •2005 Television and
War Political Elections

7. Round 1: Prompt Wording
DBQ SYNTHESIS ESSAY
•Analyze change in political, •Read the following sources
(including any introductory
economic and ideological information) carefully. Then, in an
relations in given essay that synthesizes at least three
categories. of the sources for support, take a
position that defends, challenges,
or qualifies the claim that television
has had a positive impact on
presidential elections.
•FOCUS:
HISTORICAL •FOCUS: ARGUMENTATION &
UNDERSTANDING RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

8. Round 2: Number of Documents
and Content
DBQ SYNTHESIS ESSAY
•In general, about 10 •6 or 7 op eds, visuals
documents are present, (including graphs or charts),
they include maps, direct statistics, facts, background
historical sources, on the issue.
newspaper mastheads.
•In this particular DBQ,
there are 8.

9. Round 3: How to Cite (and How
Many)
DBQ SYNTHESIS ESSAY
•Use half the documents •Use amount stated on the
plus one. essay, usually 3.
•“………..” (Doc A). •“……..” (author’s last
name).
•OR
•“……..” (Source A).
•Citation should immediately
follow whatever is borrowed
from/shared with the
document (standard MLA).

10. Round 4: Background and Outside
Knowledge
DBQ SYNTHESIS ESSAY
•Required. •Not required.
•You should know the issue •It is useful to understand
and all relevant historical the basics of the issue.
information.
•(current events presentations!)

11. Round 5: Structure
DBQ SYNTHESIS ESSAY
• Divide paragraphs by the • Short introduction with
categories (i.e. political, interesting hook
economic, social). • Divide body paragraphs
by considerations or
facets of the argument,
• Organize essay so as to or by your own Tier 1
reasons
best present
comprehensive • Cite as many sources as
information in response possible in support of
to prompt. YOUR argument!

12. Round 6: Overall Skills Required to
be Successful
DBQ SYNTHESIS
• Knowledge of history and • Ability to construct and
relevant issues. support argument
• Clear writing. convincingly.
• Ability to categorize the • Ability to define your
documents. stance on an argument
• Cover as much information • Important Note: The focus
as possible to demonstrate should be on your own
your understanding of the argument, even if all of
period and integrate your knowledge is from the
documents. provided sources.
• Create an opinion, and use
the sources to support it.

13. Summary of Similarities
DBQ Synthesis
• 1. Uses sources to support a
• 1. Uses documents to support a
thesis
thesis
• 2. Must cite sources
• 2. Must cite sources
• 3. Read for 15 minutes
• 3. Read for 15 minutes
(suggested)
(suggested)
• 4. Do not simply paraphrase, no
• 4. Do not simply paraphrase, no
"laundry list"
"laundry list"
• 5. Must "enter into a
• 5. Must understand the
conversation"
complexity of the historical issue
to "enter into a conversation" • 6. Consider the author's
purpose, audience, and point of
• 6. Consider the author's
view
purpose, audience, and point of
view • 7. Must develop a clear,
organized argument
• 7. Must develop a clear,
organized argument

14. Summary of Differences
DBQ Synthesis
• 1. Documents provided
• 1. Sources provided
• 2. Only primary sources
• 2. Primary and secondary
used
sources used
• 3. Suggested writing time
• 3. Suggested writing time
of 35 minutes
of 40 minutes
• 4. Outside information
• 4. Outside information not
required
required
• 5. Must use more than
• 5. Must use a minimum of
half of the documents
three sources
• 6. Directions with
• 6. Prompt in three parts:
statement or question
directions, introduction,
and assignment

15. Where to start?
• Read and summarize sources
• Develop a stance
• Organize sources by how they support your
argument
• Write your essay!