AP Language and Composition

Mrs. Kutz

17 February 2017

Topic Synthesis Research Project and Argument Paper: Steps/Deadlines

Objectives: One standard for the College Boards AP Language and Composition
class encompasses the development of a more informed citizenry. One means for us
to meet and accomplish this standard includes our research of controversial
trending topics. This semester-long project an argumentative synthesis research
project examines the various perspectives regarding a contemporary issue of your
choice. You will share information about your topic during our current events
discussions, primarily during Flex review, focusing on the question, What factors of
(topic x) must a citizen be aware of in order to make a more informed decision?
During those discussions, you are tasked with the goal of engaging your classmates
in a conversation on your topic.

Those class discussions will equip you and others with supplemental knowledge,
reading, and experience from which to draw on for evidence in the AP Argument
Essay (Question 3 of the exam). Additionally, you will gain awareness of how to
read, interpret and cite sources in an AP Synthesis Essay (Question 1 of the exam).
As you know, the goal of that essay is to skillfully enter the conversation with the
sources and argue a valid position in a well-organized, thoughtful and engaged
manner.

Finally, you will understand how to synthesize sources from Internet databases in
order to a) develop reasoned, appropriate evidence to support your claims in
Socratic discussions, b) compile an academic research paper with a debatable
thesis that uses proper MLA format for parenthetical citations, and c) provide a
corresponding annotated bibliography. All of these skills will prepare you for Senior
Comp and for your college career, another primary purpose for this, your first
college-level composition course.

Requirements of the project include:

Prompt written in the style of an AP Language and Composition

synthesis essay
Seven sources (A-G) with at least one visual document to
accompany the prompt
Copies to distribute for a Socratic seminar on your topic (time
permitting)
Formal essay (with claims, reasoning and cited evidence) that
answers your prompt
Annotated bibliography including all works cited and consulted

Instructions: You have chosen a topic that interests you and written several
paragraphs that define various perspectives on elements of its controversy. Now,
you will begin an extensive database inquiry on the topic to become an expert
who leads class conversations on the subject. You will submit Sources A through C
for my first review and in a few weeks you will write jeremiad-style speech on the
topic. The final seven sources you provide your classmates (A-G) must reflect
credible perspectives published in reliable academic and mainstream media, and
should include a visual chart or graphic that helps clarify statistics and/or offers
clear evidence and facts regarding the issue at hand. To this end, you will be
required to submit an annotated bibliography, which summarizes each sources
academic credibility. In the Socratic seminar, your goal is not to suggest a solution;
rather, to introduce the controversy, solicit responses regarding your sources, and
take note of your peers varying positions. Your essay, on the other hand, will take a
stand that calls for specific action and addresses counterarguments.

Synthesis Project Overview

1) Research a controversial topic. Eventually, your annotated bibliography

will represent a mix of valid viewpoints on the controversy from different
types of print media e.g. books, websites, scholarly journals, news
magazines, and so forth and will include a bare minimum of seven
reliable sources.
2) Take handwritten notes on your sources that include summaries,
paraphrases and quotes.
3) Once you have a good feel for your subject from a variety of media, select
seven sources including one visual, to compile for the class. You most
likely will use excerpts in order to keep the information contained to one
page. Sources should represent a balance of rhetorical contexts, and
should present the basic tenets of the argument surrounding your topic.
Which factors must a citizen know to decide on a solution for your topic?
4) Write a prompt in the format of an AP Synthesis Essay (Q1) that
encourages classmates to respond to these sources (in A-F format) with an
informed stance.
5) Prepare to lead a Socratic seminar in which participants synthesize your
sources and respond to your prompt, using an enter the conversation
oral argument format.
6) Write an argument essay in which you answer your own prompt: a) take a
stand, b) support your argument with valid reasoning and evidence, c)
acknowledge any counterarguments (especially those your classmates
brought up); d) address them with concessions and/or refutations, and e)
wrap it up with a conclusion that calls for action.
7) Use strong rhetorical language and phrases you have learned
from our TSIS textbook.
8) Attach an annotated bibliography of all sources (works consulted and
cited) in MLA format.

Tentative schedule: Two articles reflecting two sides of a controversial, current topic
2/16
TSIS exercises on pp.14/29 and p.50 on your topic 2/16 and 2/17
TSIS paragraphs with added nay-sayer graph on your topic 2/22
Final topic selection approved 2/23
Drafts of Sources A-C with drafts of annotated bibliographies 2/24

Research ongoing; summer to March

Current events/Socratic seminars Each week (Mondays)

Jeremiad speech you plan to imitate March

Rough outline of Jeremiad ______
Rough draft of Jeremiad for partner review ______
Final revision of Jeremiad for peer review ______
 Final draft of Jeremiad with rhetorical analysis ______
Draft of annotated bibliography ______
Final Source A (print source) ______
Final Source B (visual source) ______
Final Source C (print source) ______
Revision of annotated bibliography ______
Final Source D (scholarly journal) ______
Final Source E (foundation source) ______
Final Source F (print source) ______
Final Source G (print source) ______
Draft of Synthesis Essay prompt ______
Synthesis prompt with final sources for my review ______
Final draft for the class through several edits and revisions
Lead a Socratic Seminar on your topic ongoing to May
Revisions of prompt and sources due the week before finals
Draft of Essay for peer review (formal in-text citations and annotated
bibliography)
Final Draft to turnitin.com, printed copy with process documents for
Final