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Writing a synthesis essay might sound challenging at first, but it’s all about piecing together ideas from different sources to create a fresh perspective.
Whether you're gathering research for a class or exploring a topic you love, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.
We will break down the synthesis essay writing process into easy, manageable steps. From picking the right topic to organizing your research, you’ll learn exactly how to approach this type of essay.
Let’s dive in and make synthesis writing easier than you think!
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).
Here’s why synthesis essays matter:
There are two major types of synthesis essays:
It focuses on explaining a concept or idea by integrating various sources of information. The goal is to provide an informative overview of a topic without necessarily arguing for a particular viewpoint.
Aims to persuade the reader by presenting a thesis statement supported by evidence from multiple sources. This type involves analyzing and synthesizing different perspectives to build a strong, convincing argument.
Students often confuse synthesis essays with argumentative essays since both involve using multiple sources. However, the key difference is their purpose.
A synthesis essay combines various ideas to comprehensively understand a topic. On the other hand, an argumentative essay aims to convince the reader of a specific viewpoint by presenting supporting evidence.
In a synthesis essay, you discuss different perspectives without taking a strong stance, whereas an argumentative essay requires you to state and defend your position clearly. Understanding this distinction can help you approach each essay effectively.
Before you start writing your essay, do the following:
Now that you know how to start your essay, let’s dive into the steps that will help you craft an excellent synthesis essay.
Choosing an essay focus is the first step in writing a successful paper. 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:
Need a topic? Check out our essay topics blog to find a perfect one for your next assignment.
After choosing an interesting essay topic, start collecting data to write and support your thesis statement. Be sure to read the sources carefully you research, so they are easy for you when developing a strong, persuasive argument.
So, how to choose the right sources for a synthesis essay? Be sure to keep these tips in mind while collecting your sources:
Now that you've gathered your sources and identified the main points you want to cover, it’s time to organize your research and create an outline.
First, take a moment to review all the notes and sources you've collected. Highlight or underline key ideas, arguments, and evidence that support your thesis. It's helpful to group similar ideas together; this will make it easier to see how they connect.
Next, start sketching out your outline. Think of it as a blueprint for your essay. Here’s a simple format you can follow:
Synthesis Essay Outline Template
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Now that you’ve gathered your research and organized your thoughts, it’s time to craft your thesis statement. A strong thesis will guide your essay and make your argument clear. Here are some tips to help you write an effective thesis for your synthesis essay:
This is your chance to catch your readers' attention and set the stage for your argument. To create a strong introduction for your synthesis essay:
After the introduction, write the essay body paragraphs and use the MEAL approach - Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Link Back (Transition).
As you finish up your synthesis essay, it’s important to leave your readers with something to think about. Here’s how to write a strong conclusion:
Once you’ve drafted your synthesis essay, it’s time to refine your work. Editing and proofreading are crucial steps to ensure your essay is clear, coherent, and free of errors. Here are some practical tips to help you through the process:
Here are six structural approaches to structure your synthesis essay. These different approaches can help you organize your thoughts clearly, making it easier for your readers to understand your ideas. Let’s check them out!
Structure | Explanation |
Climactic order | Here, 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 order | This 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 order | This 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 order | This is the opposite of the climax order. You will typically put your most important points at the top and 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 order | Just 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 order | Sometimes 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 etween points for an interesting effect. |
The following is a helpful synthesis essay example pdf that you can go through before beginning your writing process.
Here are some engaging synthesis essay topic ideas to help you get started on your writing journey!
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.
When writing a synthesis essay, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can affect your overall quality. Watch out for the following common pitfalls:
To Sum it Up,
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.
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.
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.
Yes, you can use first person in a synthesis essay, but check your instructor's guidelines first. Using "I" or "we" can add a personal touch, but make sure to maintain an academic tone and support your arguments with sources.
To cite sources in a synthesis essay:
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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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