Do you have a ton of research to synthesize but don't know how? Or maybe you're not sure what a synthesis essay is and how to write one.
We know writing a synthesis essay is not an easy task to do, it’s challenging for most of us. But it can be perfectly done with the right guidance and preparation.
In this blog, we'll walk you through all the necessary information to craft a perfect synthesis essay. So you can get done with your assignments confidently! Let’s get started.
Contents
A synthesis essay is a piece of writing that takes a unique perspective on a central idea, topic, or theme. Then backs it up with evidence from multiple sources.
A synthesis essay is an important part of academic writing. The main purpose of this essay is to show your ability to prove an argument.
To make sense of these arguments, you need to use different credible sources. It demonstrates your basic understanding of the main subject. These essays help to enhance your critical, analytical, and research skills.
A synthesis essay is made up of ideas and conclusions based on the information reviewed. As this essay asks you to summarize the topic and add your own thoughts about it in relation to what you have read.
Furthermore, the synthesis essays can be similar to analysis, argumentative, or compare and contrast essays.
There are three types of a synthesis essays:
This essay's purpose is to debate or argue on a certain topic or issue. It justifies its claims by providing evidence in the body of the essay.
In contrast to the explanatory essay, you will perform the same thing as if you were writing a typical argumentative paper. State your argument, make supporting statements, and then back up each claim with reliable facts.
A review essay is frequently written as a preparatory essay to an argument synthesis. Review essays are commonly used in social science and medicine classes.
It is a discussion of what has already been published on a topic, with a critical examination of the sources mentioned.
An unwritten thesis statement is added in it, which is not final and indicates that further study is needed in that area.
In this essay, the writer helps the reader to grasp deeper knowledge about the topic. Rather than arguing or debating on some points, the goal of this essay is to explain a certain topic.
Just like any other essay writing, it needs backing up with supporting claims and credible sources.
For writing a great essay you have to do extensive research on your subject. These essays are used to connect sections of multiple works and to develop a strong viewpoint on a subject.
There are five major steps of the process:
A prompt for a synthesis paper must be arguable. Based on your project, you may be required to select primary content. Select a book that may include contrasting perspectives. Here are some important tips to choose a topic for a synthesis essay.
It is necessary to find an arguable topic to make your synthesis essay effective. Another reason is that these topics are discussed in public for decades.
Examples of good synthesis essay topics are:
Here's how you can fully understand your synthesis essay topic.
A synthesis essay's purpose is to establish meaningful connections between sections of a work. When conducting research on a topic, you have to look for connections that can be used to build a strong viewpoint on the subject. The ultimate goal of the essay is to present and prove a claim about a topic.
The subject and topic must be extensive enough to include multiple relevant sources. If you have a free hand in deciding what to write about, some preparatory research may assist you in researching choosing the right topic.
Research and find relevant information and sources. Generally, choose at least three references for your essay. It's a good idea to learn one or two additional sources for better understanding but no matter what it is, make sure that you study it properly.
Remember that it is better to read three sources properly than five sources poorly.
Compile each source by writing notes in the margins. This allows you to keep track of your thoughts, fresh ideas, and so on.
Your thesis statement will be the central idea of your essay. It should cover the topic and express your viewpoint on it. After reading the sources and conducting your research, form an opinion on your topic.
It should be stated as a complete sentence. Based on the essay, your thesis statement could be the first sentence of the essay or the last sentence of the first paragraph.
Reread your source material for elements that will help to support your argument.
Examine your sources for important statements, figures, thoughts, and facts that support your thesis. Make a note of them when you come across them. This will be very useful throughout your writing process.
An essay outline is a method for outlining the framework of your essay. Here’s what you have to do.
You may do this as a formal outline or just form it in your thoughts. But you must select how to deliver your content for maximum impact.
The following is the structure:
To present your thesis, use a more creative structure. You can use a more elaborate structure than the one outlined above. You can develop your essay using the following approaches:
Straw man:In this approach, you will present the counter-arguments first. Then demonstrate their weaknesses and flaws.
Such an approach demonstrates your awareness of the opposition as well as your readiness to respond to it. You present the counter-argument immediately following your thesis statement, followed by evidence to refute it. And conclude with a positive argument that supports your thesis.
Concession: In structure, concessions in essays are similar to the straw man. But this approach acknowledges the validity of the counter-argument while demonstrating that your argument is stronger. This structure is suitable for presenting papers to readers who hold opposing views.
Illustration/ Example:It could be a thorough narrative, synopsis, or quotation from your source material that provides substantial support for your position. However, you should not make your paper a collection of examples at the expense of supporting your thesis statement.
Comparison and Contrast:In this approach, similarities and differences between two subjects or sources demonstrate both aspects. It requires a thorough reading of your source material to identify both subtle and major points of comparison.
This type of essay can present its arguments source by source or by points of similarity or difference.
After getting done with the preparation part, start to write your synthesis essay.
But be prepared to change your strategy if you discover fresh ideas and information. And make sure it supports your thesis and the source material.
Your essay should have an introduction paragraph with your thesis statement at the end of it. A body with evidence that supports your main topic and thesis statement. Lastly, a conclusion that summarises your point of view.
To make the content flow logically, use transitions between paragraphs. Transitions are an excellent method to highlight areas where your sources complement one another.
Longer quotes of three lines or more should be presented as block quotes to draw emphasis to them.
Here you have completed the writing process, but still, you need to make sure that your essay is flawless.
This is the time to enhance transitions between points and paragraphs and to reinforce arguments. You should strive to make your argument as concise and clear to understand as possible. It is beneficial to read your essay aloud so you can spot problematic phrases or unclear ideas.
Request someone else to proofread your paper. Have you heard the cliché "two heads are better than one"? It is still valid?
Ask a friend or coworker what they would add or eliminate from the paper. Most importantly, does your thesis statement make sense, and are your references clearly supporting it?
Answer these questions in your essay.
Examine your document for any grammatical, punctuation, or spelling mistakes.
Are all the terms, names, and words accurately spelled? Is there any extraneous English language or sentence fragments? As you go, correct them.
Read the essay loudly to ensure that you don't accidentally add or remove words when reading in your mind. If possible, ask a friend or classmate to edit your writing.
Use footnotes to mention information in the body paragraph and bibliography of cited books at the conclusion. Footnotes and in-text citations should be used for any information that is quoted, paraphrased, or cited.
The point of view expressed in your thesis statement and supporting arguments should be reflected in your title. Choose a title that suits your essay rather than constructing your essay to fit the title.
Making an outline can help you structure and plan your synthesis paper.
Further, you just simply need to copy-paste your supporting evidence, sub-arguments, and key points into the relevant area of the essay. Ensure that each component of your argument supports the claim you’ve made. Avoid additional information that may create more problems with your work.
If somehow the information you provided contradicts your central thesis. You must acknowledge it as it will strengthen your essay. Also, make sure that you thoroughly examine all of the sources you've chosen. While writing about causes, don't just describe them; instead, examine them.
The standard outline of a synthesis essay is divided into three sections:
Keep reading for a brief description of the essay outline.
An outline for a synthesis essay begins with an introduction, which is a brief explanation of the topic of the work. It provides a hook, background information about the topic or issue, and a thesis statement.
The next section explains how to create a synthesis statement.
A thesis statement is the primary argument of the essay. It is always included in synthesis writing. Your thesis statement should be the central argument of your essay.
Synthesis Thesis Statement Example:
Despite technology has brought enormous reforms, the usage of cellphones and social media is not ruining a generation, particularly considering the arguments presented by Twenge.
The first body paragraph should present a counter-argument of your thesis statement. This shows your capacity to think alternatively from your viewpoint.
In the next paragraphs, you must offer reasons in support of the thesis. Remember to use the following synthesis format to structure all paragraphs in the body:
A conclusion must be a synopsis of your entire work. The paper should be concluded with a closing sentence. To put it another way, repeat the major ideas and answer a query that is not properly answered in the paper.
The format of your synthesis paper is chosen by your high school, college or university professor. MLA, APA, and Chicago styles are the most often used styles.
The APA format is followed in the disciplines of science, education, psychology. Chicago is commonly followed in the field of history, fine arts, and business. And MLA is the style of citation used in the Humanities.
The following are some APA style important details:
The following are some Chicago style key points:
The following are some MLA style significant points:
Still, facing difficulty writing a synthesis essay? Check out these great synthesis essay samples written by our expert writers. You can use them in your essay as a reference.
Synthesis Essay Examples
We hope this blog will help you to get started so you can write your perfect synthesis essay. And provides some clarity for anyone else who has questions about writing them.
Working on a synthesis paper requires a thorough study of a particular given prompt. To properly evaluate it, you must first understand the prompt’s goal, argument, author’s claim, and rhetoric.
It is well recognized that the use of various reasons (generally two) is a very successful approach.
Present one argument against your strong thesis statement. This type of evidence presents an introduction and description. The advantage of this method is to teach awareness of the other side of the argument. It is followed by the opposing view and a decisive factor.
This is one of the most basic ways of organizing. It enables you to summarise the sources that are most relevant to you. The problem is that this technique excludes any of your individual thinking.
Comparing reveals similarities, while contrasting reveals distinctions. It is feasible to show an in-depth analysis of your chosen topic. It allows writers to compare and contrast two sources at the same time.
Write quotations from sources in your own words. This approach also allows the usage of quotable sources. Ensure to cite the reference when you use the reference.
This method depicts the opposing point of view. It demonstrates that the positives outweigh the negatives.
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A strong ending fulfills these 3 things:
A synthesis is a textual debate that includes support from multiple sources with opposing viewpoints. This type of work requires analysis by using different sources and determining their relevance to your thesis.
It is important because it allows us to:
Synthesize rather than summarize your argument. No need to go over your entire paper again. Instead, include a brief summary of the main points of the paper and explain to your reader how you've made points.
Making connections or putting things together is all that is required. We naturally synthesize information to assist others in seeing connections between things. For example, synthesis occurs when you report to a friend what other friends have said about a film or book.
According to the standard outline provided, you should stick to the basic five-to-six paragraph structure. In rare cases, there may be more paragraphs in the main body.
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