Synthesis Essay Prompts (AP Lang Format)

Synthesis essay: "AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude) are transforming K-12 and higher education. Some districts ban them; others integrate them. After researching at least 6 sources, take a position: should US schools restrict, regulate, or integrate AI tools in student learning?" Sources to consult: AP/state policy documents, peer-reviewed education research, op-eds from teachers, student perspectives, edtech industry reports, comparative international policy.

Synthesis essay: "Smartphone use in schools is increasingly debated, with several states passing restrictions in 2023-2025. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should K-12 schools ban smartphones during the school day?" Sources to consult: state legislation, mental health research, educator perspectives, parent/student perspectives, international comparative policy, equity considerations.

Synthesis essay: "Many universities went test-optional during COVID; some have returned to required testing. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should the SAT/ACT be required for college admission?" Sources to consult: university admissions data, equity research, predictive validity studies, university policy statements, student perspectives, alternative assessment research.

Synthesis essay: "UBI pilot programs have been tested in Stockton CA, Finland, and several US cities. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should US cities or the federal government implement UBI?" Sources to consult: Stockton SEED final report, Finland trial results, conservative and progressive policy analyses, labor economics research, UBI advocacy materials.

Synthesis essay: "Several democracies (Australia, Belgium, Brazil) have mandatory voting laws. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should the US adopt mandatory voting?" Sources to consult: international turnout data, constitutional law analysis, op-eds from political theorists, civic engagement research, voter suppression context, opposition arguments.

Synthesis essay: "The UK and Iceland have run major 4-day work week trials with documented results. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should the US move toward a 32-hour standard work week?" Sources to consult: UK 4-day week trial report (2023), Iceland trial study, productivity research, labor economics, employer perspectives, industry-specific feasibility analyses.

Synthesis essay: "Medical aid in dying is legal in 11 US states and several countries. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should additional US states legalize medical aid in dying for terminally ill adults?" Sources to consult: Oregon Death with Dignity Act data, Canadian MAID legislation, religious institutional perspectives, disability rights perspectives, palliative care research, slippery slope concerns.

Synthesis essay: "CRISPR and gene editing technology have advanced rapidly. The 2018 He Jiankui case raised global ethical alarm. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should germline genetic engineering of humans be permitted under any circumstances?" Sources to consult: He Jiankui case analyses, Nuffield Council frameworks, religious perspectives, eugenics history, disability advocacy, therapeutic gene editing research.

Synthesis essay: "Climate scientists agree action is required but disagree on what scale of intervention is feasible or necessary. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: what specific climate action should the US prioritize over the next decade?" Sources to consult: IPCC reports, energy economics analyses, climate justice perspectives, industrial transformation case studies, opposition arguments about cost.

Synthesis essay: "AI-powered surveillance (facial recognition, predictive policing, employee monitoring) is expanding rapidly. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should the US adopt federal restrictions on AI surveillance?" Sources to consult: ACLU reports, law enforcement perspectives, EU AI Act provisions, employer monitoring research, civil rights case studies, technology industry positions.

Synthesis essay: "The US lacks comprehensive federal data privacy law; the EU has GDPR, California has CCPA. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should the US pass a comprehensive federal data privacy law?" Sources to consult: GDPR enforcement data, CCPA outcomes, technology industry positions, consumer advocacy reports, comparative international frameworks, business compliance costs.

Synthesis essay: "Social media's effects on adolescent mental health are documented; states and countries are enacting age restrictions. After consulting at least 6 sources, take a position: should the US federal government regulate social media access for minors?" Sources to consult: Surgeon General advisory (2023), Australia's 2024 ban, state legislation, mental health research, First Amendment analyses, parent/youth perspectives.

Synthesis craft: integrate sources, don't list them. Weak synthesis: "Source A says X. Source B says Y. Source C says Z. Therefore my position is..." Strong synthesis: "While Source A documents X, Source B's contradicting Y suggests that the relationship is more complex, as Source C's case study illustrates." Sources support YOUR argument; you don't summarize theirs.

Synthesis craft: take a clear position AND concede strongest opposition. The strongest synthesis essays don't hedge to avoid taking a position; they take a position and acknowledge what the other side gets right. Concession + refutation > false neutrality.

AP Lang Q1 (synthesis essay): 40 minutes, 6-7 provided sources, take a position on the prompt issue using at least 3 sources. Strong responses: clear thesis, integrated sources (not just citations), addressed counter-position, sustained argument. Length typically 500-700 words.