AP English Language and Composition · Exam guide

AP English Language Synthesis Essay: How to Use a Chart, Table or Image as Evidence

The synthesis essay always includes a visual source and at least one quantitative source, such as a chart or table. Students often skip them because they are unfamiliar. They are valuable evidence if you read them carefully and explain how they support your claim. The data below are made up.

A made-up source

Source B (bar graph): the percentage of workers in a city who commute by car, in three years. 2005: 78 percent. 2015: 71 percent. 2025: 64 percent.

A reading routine

Look atAsk
Title and source lineWhat is measured, and who produced it?
Labels and unitsWhat does each axis or column show? Is it a percent or a count?
The trend or contrastWhat changes, by how much, over what period?
What it leaves outWhat does the data not show, such as why the change happened?

From the chart to the argument

Summary onlySource B is a bar graph about commuting. It has three bars.

It describes the form of the source and uses no information.

Evidence with commentarySource B shows that the share of workers who commute by car fell from 78 percent in 2005 to 64 percent in 2025, a drop of 14 points. This supports the claim that residents will use alternatives when they exist, though the graph does not say whether the change came from better transit or from higher fuel costs, so it must be read alongside Source D, which describes the city's new rail line.

It states the data accurately, ties it to the claim, notes a limit, and connects to another source.

Using a visual source (image or cartoon)

  • Describe the specific details you notice, such as who is shown and what they are doing.
  • Say what the image suggests about the topic and who the audience may be.
  • Tie it to your argument as you would a quotation, with commentary.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the visual or quantitative source entirely.
  • Describing the format of the source instead of its information.
  • Misreading a chart, such as treating percentages as counts.
  • Using the data to claim a cause that the data cannot show.
  • Quoting a number without saying what it proves.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use the visual or quantitative source?

You must use at least three of the six sources. They are good choices when they support your argument, but they are not required.

How do I cite a chart?

Name it by letter, as in Source B, or by a short description in parentheses.

Can I do arithmetic with the data?

Yes. A simple difference or percent change shows you read the source carefully.

What if the chart is unclear?

Describe only what you can see, and say what the data cannot show.

Where can I find the official scoring rules?

Exam formats change a little from year to year, so check the current course and exam description on the College Board site before test day.

Keep practicing

The AP English Language course has five practice prompts for each of the three essay types, with a writing space that scores your response against the official 6-point analytic rubric. These free lessons also build the skills the free-response section tests:

See the AP English Language and Composition course Free lessons and lesson list

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