AP English Language · Guide 3

Synthesis Essay Mastery

6-7 sources, one argument, 40 minutes — how to read, select, and weave sources into a cohesive essay.

Free-Response Question 1 · 6 points possible
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§ 1Big Picture

§ 2Synthesis Vocabulary

Tap a card to flip. Use Mark Known to track your progress — it's saved in your browser. Search to filter.

§ 3Source Types & Integration Techniques

Each card opens to show What / When to use / How to cite / Why it matters for the synthesis essay. Click a card to expand.

§ 440-Minute Essay Workflow

Gold dots = critical steps. This is your minute-by-minute battle plan for the synthesis essay. Memorize it until it's automatic.

§ 5Key Questions

Click a question to reveal a model answer. If you can answer each of these cold, you own the synthesis essay.

§ 6Multiple-Choice Practice

These questions test your ability to analyze sources and understand integration strategies — the same skills the synthesis essay requires.

§ 7Source Integration Practice

The drill: Read the source, then write 2–3 sentences integrating it to support a given claim. Write first, then reveal the model.

§ 8Full Synthesis Essay

Work through each source with the Source Analysis lens: What type is it? What claim does it support? How would you integrate it? Then study the model thesis and body paragraphs.

§ 9Additional Synthesis Prompts

Two more full prompts with source banks and thesis templates. Use these for timed practice.

§ 10Model Source Excerpts

Eight model sources showing different source types you'll encounter on the exam. Study how each one works and how you'd use it in an essay.

§ 11Common Pitfalls

The specific mistakes AP readers see over and over on synthesis essays.

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