Synthesis Project

Step 1: (Due by Tuesday morning at 10am) - Also begin looking for articles related to your topic!

Choose a topic (you are not limited to these options) - Your topic must be something that has two sides to it or considers numerous factors - A focused topic not broad - abortion and capital punishment are out ,

Consider the following possible topics for your project.

Personal technology effects and implications, Higher Ed admissions system, Border Control/Immigration, Population growth, Standardized testing, Plastic surgery, Social media effects and implications, Security vs. privacy: information, Parenting styles, The War on Terrorism

Previous Years Topics:

Taxpayers’ money be directed toward the building of private stadiums, The most important factors when deciding whether or not to purchase genetically modified foods, most important factors a parent should consider before deciding to homeschool their child who is not travelling for sports or any other unavoidable circumstances, the foremost factors schools should consider when transitioning from traditional test taking to online tests, the most important considerations facing the sports federations when deciding how to incorporate transgender athletes into the Olympics.

Step 2: (Due Wednesday Night by 8pm) - You will see a template at top of page for project. Use this.

Prompt Page Draft

You will be creating an AP English Synthesis Question Prompt page.

Your Prompt Page will have three parts:

Directions: This will be the same for all of you, and should read exactly as it does on the sample ones.

Introduction: This section will serve as an introduction to your topic, since the writer may be unfamiliar with the issue. It should be one to two paragraphs in length. You will want to give background information about the subject at hand. Keep in mind that this Introduction goes BEFORE the reader has gotten to the Assignment section. Be careful to address each multiple potential sides to the issue, so you do not “slant” the reader in one direction. You will need to determine what background information is MOST essential to the writer who is going to view the accompanying sources.

Assignment: Parts of this section may very closely resemble those on the sample prompts. Be sure to tell them to read the attached sources and write an essay. Your prompt should require the student to include elements of both exposition and argument. You may be asking your writer to propose a potential solution to the problem. You want your writer to offer an opinion or suggestion about something, not just explain the topic. But you also want them to give enough background information to explain how they came to their conclusion. Examples:

A. Exposition Assignment (bad): Write an essay in which you examine which issues are involved

in making decisions about Space Exploration.

B. Argument Assignment (bad): Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the necessity of Space Exploration.

C. Both (good): Develop a position about what issues should be considered most important in making decisions about Space Exploration.

Example Directions

Based on 6 sources. Write an essay that evaluates whether college is worth its cost.

Based on 7 sources. In an essay, examine the factors a group or agency should consider in memorializing an event or person and in creating a monument.

Write an essay that argues a clear position on whether the USPS should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing world, and if so, how.

Write an essay that develops a position on the extent to which government should be responsible for fostering green practices.

AVOID this because it limits a well-rounded argument and does not compel student to consider the counter:

.... take a position that supports, opposes, or qualifies the claim that...

Sample Prompts with Intro Included

2014: Many recent college graduates have faced record levels of unemployment. This situation has led people to question what they value about higher education. Some high school students and their parents are wondering if a college education is worth the cost. Others, however, believe that a college education prepares students for more than just a job or career.

Based on 6 sources. Write an essay that evaluates whether college is worth its cost.

2013: The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument’s size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past.

Based on 7 sources. In an essay, examine the factors a group or agency should consider in memorializing an event or person and in creating a monument.

2012: The United States Postal Service (USPS) has delivered communications for more than two centuries. During the nineteenth century, the USPS helped to expand the boundaries of the United States by providing efficient and reliable communication across the country. Between 1790 and 1860 alone, the number of post offices in the United States grew from 75 to over 28,000. With this growth came job opportunities for postal workers and a boom in the cross-country rail system. The twentieth century brought substantial growth to the USPS, including large package delivery and airmail. Over the past decade, however, total mail volume has decreased considerably as competition from electronic mail and various package delivery companies has taken business away from the USPS. The loss of revenue has prompted the USPS to consider cutting back on delivery days and other services.

Based on 8 sources. Write an essay that argues a clear position on whether the USPS should be restructured to meet the needs of a changing world, and if so, how.