Nova A.
Nova A.

A Definitive Guide to Writing a Great Synthesis Essay

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Published on: Jul 1, 2020

Last updated on: Aug 8, 2023

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Do you have a few hours to spare? Have you been trying to write a synthesis essay but can't seem to get started? This blog post will discuss how to write a good synthesis essay and provide tips on what makes this kind of essay unique.

The first step is to develop an outline to write a successful synthesis essay. Unfortunately, most people struggle because they don't know where to start or what information they should include.

This blog will give some examples of topics and a sample synthesis essay appropriate for this assignment. These will help you create an interesting and impressive synthesis essay.

We hope these guidelines help!

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What is a Synthesis Essay?

The synthesis essay definition combines and mixes different data points to form a new idea. The end goal is to make up ideas from sources that have been reviewed, which can be difficult for those who are not used to writing this type of paper.

Writing a synthesis paper is an art form - it's just as important to get your message across as it is how eloquently you deliver the said message (arguably more so).

Types of a Synthesis Essay

There are two major types of synthesis essays:

  1. Expository Synthesis Essay

    In an informative/expository synthesis essay, the writer comprehensively plains a concept or idea and leaves many questions behind. For instance, medical reviews fall into this category because one collects different studies to synthesize conclusions that may help answer many of the reader's questions.

  2. Argumentative Synthesis Writing

    An argumentative synthesis essay proves a thesis statement with different sources of evidence. For example, let’s say your topic is: Do video games trigger violence in teenagers? Once you know the subject, start researching it and collecting both supporting and disproving evidence.

How to Start a Synthesis Essay?

Before you start writing your essay, do the following:

  1. Gather all necessary resources and go through them
  2. Make summaries of essential sections for citation purposes
  3. Take those summaries and make judgments about them
  4. Determine relationships between topics such as "Compare" & "Contrast.”
  5. What can you infer from these texts?
  6. What new idea have I gotten by studying this text/these texts?

Next, create a synthesis essay outline! Whether you are writing a 5-6 paragraph long summary or an in-depth analysis of the issue at hand, outlining will help ensure that all arguments and points flow smoothly. Take time to create a 4 -5 sentence introduction with a thesis statement for each point made and notes on argumentation that clarifies why this is important.

Organizing ideas and showing under headings such as ‘What's Important,’ ‘Reasoning & Evidence,’ then assigning conclusion statements addressing whether additional research needs to be done or what has been learned from previous reasoning/evidence supporting it.

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How to Write a Synthesis Essay?

Here are the steps you can follow for writing a great synthesis essay.

  1. Choose a Topic

    Choosing an essay focus is the first step of writing a successful piece. When you choose your topic, make sure to consider who will be reading it and how much they know about that subject. If you're unsure where to start looking for topics, ask yourself these questions:

    • What are my interests?
    • What am I passionate about?
    • Who do I want as readers/listeners (friends or family members)?
    • How knowledgeable are they on this topic in particular?
  2. Gather Information

    Choose an interesting essay topic and then collect data to write your thesis statement. Be sure to read the sources carefully you research, so they are easy for you when developing a strong, persuasive argument.

  3. Synthesis Essay Thesis

    Synthesis writing includes a thesis statement, the main argument for your essay. Thesis statements summarize an idea and provide supporting arguments to make it more convincing so readers can get on board with you.

  4. Synthesis Essay Introduction

    The introduction paragraph of the synthesis essay is an opportunity for you to catch readers' attention and ensure they have a clear idea of what your paper will cover. Therefore, the first sentence should be catchy yet informative; it needs to grab their interest without giving away too much or too little information about the direction of your argument.

  5. Synthesis Essay Body Paragraphs

    After the introduction, write the essay body paragraphs and use the MEAL approach - Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Link Back.

    The following passage is all about making a persuasive argument and claiming a topic more interesting to be engaging. The first step of making this happen is with an intro paragraph that will introduce your main idea, which will go well if you can create new information or provide fresh insights into old material.

    After you have introduced what you’re going on about, then proceed by giving some strong facts/evidence so as not only to show but also prove why it is worthwhile writing such content (thesis statement) because people are more attracted to knowledge-related conversations than anything else.

  6. Synthesis Essay Conclusion

    The conclusion of an essay is the most important part, as it summarizes what you were talking about in the body. However, if there are any major themes or facts worth remembering that have not yet been mentioned in your paper, this would be a great place to mention them.

  7. Edit and Proofread

    After writing your essay, dive into the proofreading stage. First of all, consider removing any complex words or sentences that are difficult for readers to understand; and eliminate grammar mistakes like missing commas or confusing sentence structures.

Synthesis Essay Structure

Below six structures are highlighted to help you put your thoughts together.

StructureExplanation
Climactic orderHere, you will present your arguments logically and engagingly. The reasoning behind this is that the reader will remember your last argument more, which means they'll be able to put it all together at once and have you say what needs to be said most of all.
Chronological orderThis is for an argumentative paper, but it can be the most helpful when organizing ideas and showing how they dovetail together. Whether building off of each other or an effect following a cause, order helps readers follow your line of thinking - especially if one idea builds on another.
Logical orderThis technique is especially helpful when the ideas build upon one another. If the first idea isn't too complicated, you need to understand it to get a more complex later on point. Similar to an essay that's ordered chronologically, this can't apply to argumentative essays because they're always written as counterarguments of each other.
Anticlimactic orderThis is the opposite of the climax order. You will typically put your most important points at the top then get to less significant ones as you go on, ensuring that no one point gets overlooked in an argumentative essay. This way, you can start with a killer sentence and stay strong from for all readers before moving on to more difficult ideas later.
Problem/solution orderJust like the name suggests, you begin an essay by presenting a problem. All of the remaining parts are spent giving solutions to that particular issue in whatever order is most appropriate for your argumentation style and topic at hand.
Comparison and contrast orderSometimes when writing a synthesis essay, you have to compare and contrast ideas. If this is the case, then there are two ways of doing it: summarize each source's main idea before discussing the similarities and differences, or present both sides in blocks with each one discussed completely as they come up. You can move point by point or even back and forth between points for an interesting effect.

Synthesis Essay Examples

The following is a helpful synthesis essay example pdf that you can go through before beginning your writing process.

Synthesis Essay Topics

Below you can find some interesting synthesis essay topic examples for getting started.

  • What is the best way to prevent bullying in schools?
  • The effect of motivation on student achievement
  • Global warming and its effects on economics
  • Why does technology make the world smaller?
  • Write about the role of women in wars?
  • Globalization and its impact on the developing countries
  • Block classes and their disadvantages
  • How Technology motivates students to learn?
  • Why is teamwork important in early childhood?
  • What are the risks of artificial intelligence?
  • Why should high schools have outdoor classrooms?
  • What are the disadvantages of using social media?

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Synthesis Essay Writing Tips

There are many tips for writing a synthesis essay, and here is the best advice from our experts.

  • You want to use sources with valuable information. However, the data must be valid and not have been proved wrong elsewhere, so make sure you do your research before trusting the validity of any source.
  • Paragraphs should be neither too long nor too short. Start with a clear topic sentence followed by an elaboration on the theme at hand and conclude it with your overall point of view or conclusion to this section. Long sentences discourage readers because they are hard to read, so keep them simple as well.
  • Some people know the title when starting, but others come up with it after writing. Whatever your preference, make sure that your reader's curiosity is sparked by a compelling and engaging title, just like your introduction.

A synthesis essay is a thoughtful and in-depth analysis of multiple sources compiled into one document. The author asserts their claim and selects information from various sources to show that it's true.

Learning how to write this type of paper prepares you for the current state we live in, where so many different opinions are expressed all at once on every topic imaginable. It teaches you to go through these available resources and then develop your logical conclusion based on what everyone has said.

The writing process can be a difficult one. If you are struggling with writing your synthesis essay, we can help!

We provide professional ‘do my essay’ help that you can count on for any type of academic paper. Contact us for professional assistance from experienced writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many paragraphs is a synthesis essay?

For writing a synthesis essay, the five-to-six paragraph structure is essential. So, make sure you have it down pat! In rare cases, there may be more paragraphs if necessary.

Do you use quotes in a synthesis essay?

This essay evaluates your ability to construct an argument using sources. You can use information from the sources, but you need to cite it. If text in a source was copied and pasted into the paper, you need to add quotation marks; then credit needs to be given for that specific piece of work as well.

Nova A.

WRITTEN BY

Nova A., Literature, Marketing

Nova Allison has eight years of experience writing both technical and scientific content. As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova focuses on developing online content plans that engage audiences. She strives to write pieces that are not only informative but also captivating.

Nova Allison has eight years of experience writing both technical and scientific content. As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova focuses on developing online content plans that engage audiences. She strives to write pieces that are not only informative but also captivating.

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