synthesis
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of synthesis
- Apply synthesis to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for synthesis first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: Step 1, Examiner's Tip, Synthesis Exam Strategy
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: synthesis
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about synthesis. Then check against the key terms: Step 1, Examiner's Tip, Synthesis Exam Strategy. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Step 1, Examiner's Tip, Synthesis Exam Strategy.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Step 1, Examiner's Tip, Synthesis Exam Strategy.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: synthesis. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: synthesis. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: What is the main difference between synthesis and comparison?
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about synthesis.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: synthesis
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on synthesis. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Definition: Synthesis means combining information from different sources to create a summary. You draw together ideas from both texts to show common themes or differences.
Step 1: Read both texts and identify the key information Step 2: Decide what each text says about the topic Step 3: Find similarities and/or differences Step 4: Write in your own words, using brief quotations Step 5: Organise logically - group related points
Remember: In synthesis questions, don't analyse language devices. Focus on summarising what each text says about the topic.
Examiner's Tip: This is NOT a language analysis question. Focus on what each text SAYS - the content and ideas. Use your own words and keep quotations brief. Spend about 10 minutes on this question.
Synthesis Exam Strategy: This is AQA Paper 2 Q2 (8 marks) - spend about 10 minutes. The critical distinction is: synthesis asks what the texts SAY, not HOW they say it. Do not analyse language devices - focus purely on content. Use your own words to summarise, with brief quotations for support. Weave both texts together in each sentence using comparative language. Examiners reward concise, accurate summaries that combine information from both sources.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing similarities | Both texts suggest... / Similarly, both sources... / The texts agree that... | |
| Introducing differences | While Source A... Source B... / In contrast... / The texts differ in that... | |
| Combining information | Both sources indicate... / Together, these texts reveal... / The evidence from both suggests... | |
| Focus | WHAT texts say | HOW texts convey meaning |
| Skills | Summary, combining | Analysis of methods |
| Language analysis | No - focus on content | Yes - analyse techniques |
| Quotations | Brief, for evidence | For analysis |
| Own words | Yes - preferred | Embedded quotes |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: What is the main difference between synthesis and comparison?
Answer: Synthesis focuses on WHAT texts say (content); comparison focuses on HOW they convey meaning (methods).
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: synthesis
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: Step 1, Examiner's Tip, Synthesis Exam Strategy. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: What is the main difference between synthesis and comparison?
Answer: Synthesis focuses on WHAT texts say (content); comparison focuses on HOW they convey meaning (methods).
Q2: Should you analyse language devices in a synthesis question?
Answer: No - synthesis is about summarising content, not analysing language.
Q3: How should you use quotations in synthesis?
Answer: Keep them brief and use them as evidence to support your summary points.
Q4: What sentence starter would you use to show a difference between texts?
Answer: "While Source A... Source B..." or "In contrast..." or "Unlike Source A, Source B..."
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: synthesis
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on synthesis from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Focus on content, not language analysis | Use evidence from both texts equally | Write in your own words where possible | Use synthesis sentence starters | Don't write too much - 8 marks needs a concise response | Group related points logically | Answer the specific question focus
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often analyse language devices in a synthesis question, treating it like a comparison question. Wrong: "Source A uses a simile to describe the school as 'a prison,' suggesting the writer feels trapped." Correct: "Source A presents school as a restrictive experience where students feel 'trapped,' while Source B describes it as a place of freedom where children 'explored and discovered.'" Students often write about each text separately instead of synthesising. Wrong: One paragraph entirely about Source A, then one paragraph entirely about Source B. Correct: Combining information in each point: "Both sources describe school meals, but whereas Source A recalls 'delicious home
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how synthesis connects to another English Language topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of synthesis
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in synthesis?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: Step 1, Examiner's Tip, Synthesis Exam Strategy (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on synthesis from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain synthesis to someone else in your own words (10 mins)