The AP Lang test asks you to write two argumentative essays: the argument essay and the syntheis essay. The goal of the essays is the same--to take and defend a position on the given issue.  The only difference is the type of evidence you use. In the argument essay, you rely primarily on your own reasoning, examples, and experiences to support your claim. In the synthesis essay, you must incorporate and analyze several provided sources to support your claim. 

Since the essays are similar, we'll be covering both in the same unit. You'll use the same argumentative structures, types of thesis statements, introduction strategies, and conclusion strategies for both essays. The only difference, as you'll see below, will be the body paragraphs of the two essays.