We reviewed JP's AP MCQ assignment as a foundation for instruction on the use of transitions to signal differences and similarities. I placed on the board a series of "But" transitions such as "however, despite, while ,and although" and we then applied the instruction to a sample AP question on transition phrases that illustrate contrast. We then worked on forming a thesis statement for the synthesis essay . I provided suggestions for consideration with a goal toward guiding the essay away from just a mere repetition of the claims of the source material. JP then analyzed the sources and crafted a thesis and some ideas for an essay introduction.