SAMPLE AP SYNTHESIS ESSAY OUTLINE
Based on the 2008 Synthesis Prompt
Assignment:
Read the following sources (including the introductory information) carefully. Then
write an essay in which you develop a position on whether or not the penny coin
should be eliminated. Synthesize at least three of the sources for support.
Sample Outline: (This sample only includes the introduction and first body. Your
outline should be complete. The claim should be in a complete sentence. Other
elements of the outline may be written in a more liberal bullet-point form.)
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH:
1) Introduce Both Sides of the Debate:
-
Penny is valuable and historically endearing currency (Refer to Source D to
show value to the public and source G for historical endurance)
Penny is useless currency for modern American public (Refer to Source A).
2) Claim: While the penny has its historic merit and is still necessary for the current
system of American currency, it is necessary for the American public to recognize and
work towards a systematic diffusion of the penny from the American coin purse in order
to modernize currency circulation and encourage greater efficiency of time and natural
resource materials.
BODY PARAGRAPH #1:
1) Topic Sentence: The penny has its historic significance and will remain
necessary for the currently outdated American currency system.
2) Evidence/Analysis/Warrant for the historic significance of the penny:
- Evidence #1: Source B (paragraph 1-2) demonstrates the historical background to the
penny (date, context of exigence).
Analysis #1: Penny as the first currency is embedded in America’s founding history.
Warrant #1: Penny’s historical value mandates its continued existence, at least for right
now.
- Evidence #2: Source F demonstrates the history attached to the currency (Lincoln
bicentennial celebration)
Analysis #2: Penny commemorates Lincoln’s significance, reminding the American
public of America’s rich history of leadership and the value of American sentimentality.
Warrant #2: Penny as a visual artifact of American history shows value of penny for
American society now, not necessarily for the future of a modern and increasingly
digitalized American society.
Counterargument/Rebuttal #1/2: The historical significance of currency that is captured
in a penny can be reproduced in other currency; however, the absence of a currency form
is the absence of a physical and visual representation of a historic figure like Lincoln.
3) Evidence/Analysis for the penny’s necessity for current American currency
system:
- Evidence #3: Source A shows that the economics of penny production (interests of the
zinc producers in states like Arizona)
- Analysis #3: Production of penny is necessary for the American economy, especially
during a recession in which local industries cannot be further depleted.
- Warrant #3: The current American economy needs the production potential of the
penny, which does not necessarily mean that an improved economy in the future will
have the same needs.
4) Concluding Sentence: (Serves as transition from first part of qualified claim to
the next).
- The American public currently benefits from the existence and immediate production of
the penny as it intends to preserve pieces of American history and supplement the
depleted economy; however, as American society moves past this recession, it is valuable
to reconsider the future of the currency system, especially the penny.