A.P. Language Synthesis Generation – The Final Project

Stage 1: The Initial Gathering

  • In your group of three, you will gather nine sources appropriate to the topic you receive in class (3 sources per student).
  • 3 of the sources need to be visual sources (1 per student).
  • For the written sources, you will need to choose excerpts appropriate to the topic and of a length appropriate for a standard AP synthesis prompt (150-350 words).
  • All sources must be credible.
  • For each source, you must create an appropriate MLA citation at the top of the source as well as label the source (Source A, etc.).
  • Develop the prompt for the topic/sources, using AP synthesis questions as a guide. You have a copy of the 2008 AP Synthesis essay prompt and sources. The back of this handout has an example prompt as well.

Stage 2: The Creation of the Prompt

  • You will create a synthesis prompt, choosing 6-8 of the sources that you believe best go with your prompt (you may make adjustments to your prompt or even pull in additional sources at this time).

Stage 3: The Attack of Your own Prompt

  • Create a claim/ thesis statement for your prompt that is appropriate to the prompt and the sources you have included.
  • Create an outline of how you would attack the writing of essay, including the number of body paragraphs, topic sentences, and key points/quotes you would use from a minimum of 3 different sources.

Stage 4: The Presentation (email or flash drive)

  • Share your prompt with the class.
  • Discuss why you chose each of your sources.
  • Share your thesis/outline with the class.

Timeline:

Wednesday, December 17: Intro. Project, Form Groups, Devise Topics

Thursday, December 18: Computer Lab - Looking for sources

Friday, December 19: Briefly meet with group members

Wednesday, January 7: Computer Lab – Finalize sources and create prompt

Thursday, January 8: Computer Lab - Start attack plan

Friday, January 9: Computer Lab - Finalize attack plan and work on presentation

Question 1

(Suggested time—40 minutes. This question counts for one-third of the total essay section score.)

Much attention has been given lately to the ubiquitous presence of information technologies. Our daily lives seem to be saturated with television, computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and MP3 players, to name just a few of the most common technologies.

Many people extol the ability of such technologies to provide easy access to information and facilitate research and learning. At the same time, however, some critics worry that the widespread use of information technologies forces our lives to move too quickly. We encounter images and information from the Internet and other sources faster than we can process or evaluate them, and even though electronic communication has been enhanced, both the quality and quantity of face-to-face interaction is changing. Carefully read the following six sources, including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize information from at least three of

the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that evaluates the most important factors that a school should consider before using particular technologies in curriculum and instruction.

Make sure that your argument is central; use the sources to illustrate and support your reasoning. Avoid merely

summarizing the sources. Indicate clearly which sources you are drawing from, whether through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. You may cite the sources as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the descriptions in parentheses.

Source A (Rotstein)

Source B (Delaney)

Source C (Dyson)

Source D (Johnson)

Source E (Gelernter)

Source F (cartoon)