As JP had questions on the preparation of the synthesis essay homework , today I provided instruction and modeling on the synthesis essay . I first directed attention to the standard AP prompt language wherein the student is asked to develop a thesis bases on the sources. I explained the difference between developing a thesis or position and merely summarizing a position of one of the source writers. I then modeled a thesis based on the sources again noting how the modeled thesis did more than summarize a source . We then worked on identifying the best evidence from the 4 provided sources and composing commentary that supports the thesis. I assisted JP in formulating ideas/comments and in employing formal academic sentence structure and diction. By the end of the session JP had completed commentary on his first piece of evidence and will complete the assignment tonight by drafting commentary on his second evidentiary source.