Language Arts: AP Language: Synthesis Essay Skills Worksheet

Question 1

A synthesis prompt asks students to develop a position on whether schools should limit student smartphone use during the school day. Write a defensible thesis for this prompt.

Accepted Answer

A defensible thesis could be: Schools should limit student smartphone use during the school day because reasonable restrictions can improve attention, reduce social pressure, and still allow phones for safety or learning when needed.

Question 2

Identify the problem with this thesis: Smartphones are a big issue in schools, and many people have different opinions about them.

Accepted Answer

The problem is that the thesis does not take a clear position. It only summarizes the topic instead of making a defensible claim about what schools should do.

Question 3

Revise this weak thesis into a stronger synthesis thesis: Schools should think carefully about phones.

Accepted Answer

A stronger thesis could be: Schools should create clear limits on phone use because unrestricted access can distract students from learning, but limited academic and emergency use can still be valuable.

Question 4

A source reports that students who kept phones in their lockers scored higher on attention tasks than students who kept phones on their desks. Explain how this evidence could support an argument for limiting phone access in class.

Accepted Answer

This evidence supports limiting phone access because it suggests that even having a phone nearby can reduce attention. A writer could use it to argue that keeping phones away during class helps students focus more effectively.

Question 5

A source is a blog post written by a phone company executive arguing that phones improve classroom learning. What should a writer consider before using this source?

Accepted Answer

A writer should consider the source's credibility, purpose, and possible bias. Because the author works for a phone company, the source may have a financial interest in presenting phones positively.

Question 6

Write one sentence that smoothly introduces a source into a synthesis paragraph about smartphone restrictions in schools. Use this source information: Source B is a 2022 survey by the National Education Association.

Accepted Answer

According to a 2022 National Education Association survey in Source B, many teachers report that student phone use makes classroom management more difficult.

Question 7

Improve this evidence drop by adding commentary: Source C says that 67 percent of students check their phones during class.

Accepted Answer

Source C says that 67 percent of students check their phones during class, which shows that phone distraction is not rare or limited to a few students. This pattern supports the need for schoolwide expectations rather than leaving the problem to individual teachers.

Question 8

A student writes: Phones are bad because Source A says they distract students, Source B says they cause stress, and Source C says students use them too much. What is missing from this paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph is missing commentary and a clear line of reasoning. The student lists sources, but does not explain how the evidence connects to the claim or why the evidence proves the argument.

Question 9

For a synthesis essay, explain the difference between summarizing a source and using a source as evidence.

Accepted Answer

Summarizing a source means restating its main ideas. Using a source as evidence means selecting relevant information from the source and explaining how it supports the writer's own argument.

Question 10

Write a topic sentence for a body paragraph supporting this thesis: Schools should limit phone use during class because restrictions improve focus while still allowing responsible use outside instructional time.

Accepted Answer

One reason schools should limit phone use during class is that removing constant access to notifications helps students give sustained attention to lessons and discussions.

Question 11

A counterargument says that phone bans prevent students from contacting family during emergencies. Write a concession and rebuttal that responds to this concern.

Accepted Answer

It is reasonable to worry that students may need to contact family during emergencies. However, schools can address this concern by allowing phone access in emergency situations while still restricting everyday classroom use that interferes with learning.

Question 12

Read this paragraph plan: Claim: Schools should limit phones to improve focus. Evidence: Source A gives data on attention. Source D describes a school with better participation after a phone policy. Commentary: Explain how both sources show learning benefits. What synthesis skill does this plan demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

This plan demonstrates the skill of combining evidence from multiple sources to support one line of reasoning. It does not treat each source separately, but uses them together to prove the claim.

Language Arts: AP Language: Synthesis Essay Skills

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