Understanding Synthesis Prompts and Positions

Emily Validus explains how to break down a synthesis prompt by understanding the task, identifying positions, and determining impacted areas. She emphasizes careful reading and turning tasks into questions. The video provides insights and examples to help students apply these steps effectively, ensuring a focused and aligned essay.

What is the main focus of Emily Validus's video?

• How to analyze poetry

• How to improve vocabulary

• How to break down the synthesis prompt

• How to write a conclusion for an essay

What is the first key step in tackling the synthesis prompt?

• Summarizing the prompt

• Identifying the sources

• Writing a thesis statement

• Understanding the task

Why is it important to read the task carefully?

• To memorize the prompt

• To ensure you know exactly what is expected

• To find the easiest part to write about

• To quickly finish the exam

What should you look for in the prompt to identify various positions?

• The length of the prompt

• The number of paragraphs

• The font style

• The context of the issue

What is a 'maybe' position?

• A position that considers how positions impact each other

• A position that is undecided

• A position that disagrees with both sides

• A position that agrees with both sides

What should you determine about the areas impacted by the issue?

• How they are irrelevant

• How they are described in the prompt

• How they are affected by the issue

• How they are unrelated

What is the purpose of applying the steps to a sample prompt?

• To rewrite the prompt

• To practice and understand the process

• To memorize the steps

• To find errors in the prompt

What are the two parts of the task in the sample prompt about STEM education?

• Reducing STEM education and decreasing student interest

• Improving STEM education and increasing student interest

• Reducing arts education and decreasing student interest

• Improving arts education and increasing student interest

What is a key reminder for handling the synthesis prompt effectively?

• To ignore the context

• To write as quickly as possible

• To take time to understand the prompt

• To focus only on the sources