AP Lang Synthesis Essay Prompt Creation
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as writers and analysts, design a synthesis essay prompt that effectively integrates diverse sources to inspire insightful and argumentative responses?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What makes a good synthesis essay prompt?
- Where do essay prompts come from?
- How do essay prompts relate to the sources provided?
- What is the relationship between argument and synthesis?
- How do writers use sources to inform their own writing?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to compose a synthesis essay prompt.
- Students will be able to integrate diverse sources to inspire insightful and argumentative responses.
- Students will be able to analyze the relationship between argument and synthesis.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to students"Synthesis Prompt Speed Dating"
Students rotate through stations, each featuring a different set of sources on a potentially controversial topic. At each station, they brainstorm potential synthesis prompts based on the sources, then pitch their best idea to the group, fostering rapid idea generation and critical evaluation.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio."Prompt Deconstruction Lab"
In this activity, students will deconstruct existing AP Language synthesis prompts to identify their key components and understand how they relate to the provided sources. This will provide a model for students to follow when creating their own prompts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA checklist of essential elements for a synthesis prompt, derived from the analysis of existing prompts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports the learning goal of composing a synthesis essay prompt by providing a clear understanding of the elements that make a good prompt."Argumentative Angle Brainstorm"
This activity focuses on generating potential argumentative angles that students can use as the basis for their synthesis prompts. By exploring different viewpoints and crafting potential claims, students will develop a strong sense of the argumentative possibilities within their chosen sources.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of argumentative claims, each with a corresponding outline of supporting evidence from the sources.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports the learning goal of inspiring insightful and argumentative responses by ensuring the prompt encourages critical thinking and diverse perspectives."Prompt Crafting Workshop"
Students will use the knowledge and skills they've gained in the previous activities to draft their own synthesis essay prompts. This activity emphasizes clarity, specificity, and alignment with the provided sources.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA draft synthesis essay prompt, ready for final revision and refinement.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports the learning goal of composing a synthesis essay prompt and integrating diverse sources to inspire insightful and argumentative responses by requiring students to synthesize information and develop a clear and arguable position."Prompt Refinement & Source Mapping"
Students will finalize their synthesis essay prompts and create a detailed source map outlining how each source can be used to support or refute potential arguments. This activity ensures that the prompt is well-aligned with the sources and promotes critical thinking about potential responses.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA final synthesis essay prompt, a detailed source map, and a rationale explaining the prompt's effectiveness.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports all learning goals and standards by ensuring the prompt is well-crafted, aligned with the sources, and promotes critical thinking and argumentative writing."Source Analysis Scavenger Hunt"
Students will dive deep into the provided sources to identify key arguments, perspectives, and potential points of conflict or agreement. This activity aims to build a strong foundation for prompt creation by ensuring students understand the nuances of each source.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collection of source summaries that highlight the main arguments and potential connections between sources.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports the learning goal of integrating diverse sources by ensuring students understand each source's argument and perspective.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioSynthesis Essay Prompt Design Rubric
Prompt Clarity and Focus
Evaluates the clarity, specificity, and focus of the synthesis essay prompt.Clarity of Task
How clearly the prompt communicates the argumentative task to the student.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe prompt clearly and concisely states the argumentative task, leaving no room for ambiguity. It uses precise language and provides sufficient context for students to understand the expectations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe prompt clearly states the argumentative task, but may lack some precision or context. Students can readily understand the expectations, but minor clarifications may be needed.
Developing
2 PointsThe prompt vaguely states the argumentative task, potentially leading to confusion or misinterpretation. Students may struggle to understand the expectations without significant guidance.
Beginning
1 PointsThe prompt fails to clearly state the argumentative task, leaving students unsure of what is expected. The language is ambiguous and lacks essential context.
Focus and Scope
How well the prompt narrows the scope of the essay, encouraging focused and manageable arguments.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe prompt effectively narrows the scope of the essay, guiding students toward focused and manageable arguments. The prompt encourages in-depth exploration of specific issues within the broader topic.
Proficient
3 PointsThe prompt narrows the scope of the essay, but may allow for arguments that are too broad or unfocused. Further refinement could enhance the prompt's ability to guide student thinking.
Developing
2 PointsThe prompt lacks focus, allowing for overly broad or unfocused arguments. Students may struggle to identify a manageable topic or develop a clear argumentative position.
Beginning
1 PointsThe prompt is overly broad and lacks any discernible focus. Students are likely to struggle to develop a coherent and manageable argument.
Source Integration and Relevance
Assesses how well the prompt integrates the provided sources and their relevance to the argumentative task.Source Relevance
How well the prompt ensures all listed sources are highly relevant to the argumentative task.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe prompt seamlessly integrates all sources, ensuring they are highly relevant to the argumentative task. The prompt encourages students to draw meaningful connections between the sources and use them to support their arguments.
Proficient
3 PointsThe prompt integrates most of the sources, but some may be less relevant to the argumentative task. Minor adjustments could improve the alignment between the sources and the prompt's focus.
Developing
2 PointsThe prompt includes sources that are only marginally relevant to the argumentative task. Students may struggle to find meaningful connections between the sources and the prompt.
Beginning
1 PointsThe prompt includes sources that are largely irrelevant to the argumentative task. Students will struggle to use the sources to develop a coherent argument.
Source Diversity
How the sources represent diverse perspectives, encouraging nuanced arguments.
Exemplary
4 PointsSources represent diverse perspectives. Prompt encourages nuanced arguments by compelling examination of multiple viewpoints. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of diverse perspectives and encourages insightful synthesis.
Proficient
3 PointsSources present a reasonable range of viewpoints. The prompt encourages the exploration of multiple perspectives, contributing to well-rounded arguments. Demonstrates clear understanding of diverse perspectives and facilitates effective synthesis.
Developing
2 PointsThe prompt offers limited opportunity to deal with diverse perspectives; viewpoints may overlap. Arguments lack nuance. Shows emerging awareness of diverse perspectives, but synthesis may be superficial.
Beginning
1 PointsSources are largely homogeneous, providing little opportunity for critical engagement with diverse viewpoints, leading to narrow arguments. Demonstrates limited awareness of diverse perspectives, hindering meaningful synthesis.
Argumentative Potential and Insight
Evaluates the prompt's potential to inspire insightful and argumentative responses from students.Depth of Inquiry
How effectively the prompt encourages critical thinking and in-depth analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe prompt fosters critical thinking and encourages students to delve deeply into complex issues. The prompt stimulates insightful analysis and the development of nuanced arguments.
Proficient
3 PointsThe prompt encourages critical thinking and analysis, but may not fully explore the depth of the topic. Further refinement could enhance the prompt's ability to challenge student thinking.
Developing
2 PointsThe prompt encourages superficial analysis and lacks the depth needed to stimulate critical thinking. Students may struggle to develop insightful arguments.
Beginning
1 PointsThe prompt fails to encourage critical thinking or in-depth analysis. Students are unlikely to develop insightful arguments.
Argumentative Versatility
The prompt should allow students to formulate a variety of defensible arguments.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe prompt enables students to formulate a wide array of defensible arguments, with potential for various and divergent perspectives.
Proficient
3 PointsThe prompt allows for multiple defensible arguments, but may inadvertently limit the range of perspectives.
Developing
2 PointsThe prompt has limited argumentative flexibility, possibly steering students towards similar or convergent positions.
Beginning
1 PointsThe prompt lacks argumentative versatility, effectively precluding nuanced or diverse responses.
Rationale and Source Map
Evaluates the quality and justification of the prompt based on alignment to sources.Rationale Strength
How well the written rationale effectively explains why the prompt is effective and how it aligns with the provided sources.
Exemplary
4 PointsRationale provides a compelling and insightful justification for the prompt's effectiveness, demonstrating a deep understanding of its alignment with the sources and potential for generating insightful arguments. Rationale addresses potential limitations and counterarguments.
Proficient
3 PointsRationale provides a clear and logical justification for the prompt's effectiveness, explaining its alignment with the sources and its potential for generating argumentative responses. The rationale may lack some depth or nuance.
Developing
2 PointsRationale provides a weak or superficial justification for the prompt's effectiveness, failing to adequately explain its alignment with the sources or its potential for generating argumentative responses. The rationale may contain inaccuracies or inconsistencies.
Beginning
1 PointsRationale is missing or provides an inadequate justification for the prompt's effectiveness. The rationale fails to address the prompt's alignment with the sources or its potential for generating argumentative responses.
Source Map Detail
How detailed and comprehensive the source map is in outlining the relationships between sources and potential arguments.
Exemplary
4 PointsSource map provides a comprehensive and insightful visual representation of the relationships between the sources and potential arguments. The map clearly identifies key themes, points of agreement and disagreement, and potential argumentative pathways.
Proficient
3 PointsSource map provides a clear and organized visual representation of the relationships between the sources and potential arguments. The map identifies key themes and points of agreement and disagreement, but may lack some detail or nuance.
Developing
2 PointsSource map provides a rudimentary visual representation of the relationships between the sources and potential arguments. The map may be incomplete, inaccurate, or poorly organized.
Beginning
1 PointsSource map is missing or provides an inadequate visual representation of the relationships between the sources and potential arguments. The map fails to identify key themes or argumentative pathways.