Synthesis Essay Bundle AP Language "Prison Reform" research + writing materials

Updated as of 1/9/23!

9 Resources included

I developed this resource to help facilitate students' understanding of writing the synthesis essay on the AP Language Exam with a prompt asking students to research prison reform. This project combines both research and writing that is high interest. This organizer kit walks students through each of the thinking steps, and includes a thesis statement visual, strong topic sentence visual and stems to produce reasoning/commentary as well as Line of Reasoning (LOR) visual models.

Want to deepen the argument writing process for your students? The key to an effective Synthesis essay on the AP Language exam is constantly reminding students that it is an argument essay. This resource includes visuals for embedding evidence and into each paragraph. This essay organizer is easily editable to reflect different prompts.

What does this 9-resource bundle include?

• Detailed brainstorming space where students align points to sources and plan out counter-points with a planning table to create "pro/con" and points in paragraphs

• Detailed essay writing organizer with hyperlinks to resources (included in the document)

• 40-slide presentation that walks students through the essay topic and prompt as well as particulars with the writing process, including source integration, topic sentences, thesis statements. Also includes visuals to help students understand the AP Language Synthesis essay "source equation" - minimum of 3 different sources; two different sources in each paragraph, as well as information on source-alignment, or how to match sources to argument points or counterpoints. This process can be confusing for students, and these visuals helped my students understand source integration for this essay.

• Video tutorial to walk students through planning/brainstorming strategy using "Pro/Con" point table, Line of Reasoning (LOR) development, and strategies for integrating sources to meet the requirements of the AP Language Synthesis essay.

• Curated list of sources for students to use (unless they want to locate their own).

• Outline Notes Organizer for students to use to support critical reading of sources for main claims, supporting claims, and details. Includes summary starters at end for students to suUmmarize the source and begin to connect to other sources.

• Synthesis Reasoning Cards with different ways of organizing sources

• Topic sentence models

• Quotation integration guide

• How to Guide for Signal Phrases to help embed quotations

• Peer writing with guiding questions to analyze source integration

• Strong Thesis statement visual model

• Strong topic sentence model embedded in writing space

• Argument stems to extend students' writing and deepen evidence-based commentary/analysis

• Line of Reasoning (LOR) visual /model embedded in writing space

Check out my blog with teaching strategies: https://janamccarthyteacher.wordpress.com

Check out my YouTube Channel for video lessons: https://www.youtube.com/@janamccarthyELA

Check out these discourse resources to level up engagement in your classroom:

• Probing Questions Speed Dating
• Discourse Builder Discussion Roundtable / Close Reading Activity
• Questions Stems by Question Type One-pager
• Progressive Questioning PD Workshop

Check out these resources to engage students in Debate:

• Freedom v. Safety Debate
• Growth Mindset Debate
• Who Gets the Heart Debate
• Debate Template/Slides for In-person & Digital Debates
• Full Debate Bundle Adaptable for all levels/grades + ESL

Check out these Argument Writing Resources:

• AP Language Argument Essay Step-by-Step Writing Guide
• Rhetorical Claims & Appeals Bundle
• Argument Essay Slides
• Ethos, Pathos, Logos Slides
• AP Language Exam Overview & Study Guide with Links
• Argumentative Writing Folder
• Argument Writing Stems Handout with Counter-rebuttals
• “Unknown” AP Lang Argument Prompt Essay Organizer Kit
• “Overrated AP Lang Argument Prompt Essay Organizer Kit + Line of Reasoning

Check out these listings to boost your students’ engagement with Rhetorical Analysis

Read Like a Writer - Rhetorical Analysis Kit

AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay Reflection Tool

Rhetorical Device BIG Slide Deck

Rhetorical Claims & Appeals Bundle

Full SignPost set + rubric

Preparing your students for AP / SAT Multiple Choice Exams? Drive home strategies through these resources that get students ENGAGED with test preparation.

• Multiple Choice READING Questions Video Guide + Scaffolded Notes
• Multiple Choice WRITING Questions Video Guide + Scaffolded Notes
• AP Lang Multiple Choice EXPERT LESSON Group Activity
• Multiple Choice WRITING Slides: Sentence Combining & Organization Questions
• Multiple Choice Strategies POWERPOINT - AP/SAT/PSAT/MCAS all subjects
• AP Lang Multiple Choice WRITING questions with VIDEO tutorials
• Multiple Choice READING questions GROUP SOLVE activity (AP Lang/SAT/PSAT)
• Multiple Choice Strategy Mini Cards

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