How to Write a Synthesis Essay: Helpful Tips and Guidelines

To produce a proper synthesis essay, you need the ability to analyze information and present it in an orderly way. Students learn to digest information during high school or college classes, but this skill also proves to be essential in the world of business and advertisement.

Oftentimes, when being assigned this type of essay, students feel lost and overwhelmed with questions: What is a synthesis essay? How to start a synthesis essay? What should I write in a synthesis essay introduction and conclusion?

With the help of our recommendations, you will be able to bring your synthesis essay writing skills to the next level. However, if your deadline is approaching and you need fast results or writing a synthesis essay is too difficult for you, hire one of our professionals to take care of your assignment. We have what it takes to save you from sleepless nights and bad grades.

What is a Synthesis Essay?

Let’s begin with a synthesis essay definition. In essence, it is a writing in which you combine several sources of information, separate parts of one source or different viewpoints, and form your own opinion about a certain subject. Your main task is to find a link between those different works and subsequently present and support a claim regarding the subject. It is essential to find connections that can be formed into a solid viewpoint.

Following are synthesis essay types:

• Argument synthesis.

In this type of essay, the writer presents his or her viewpoint through a thesis statement. It is required to organize all the information logically and support this point of view. Position writing (business white writing) are often written in this essay form. Students usually write argumentative synthesis essays during their AP exams.

• Review.

This type is considered preliminary to an argument synthesis. In it, you are supposed to discuss what was written about the subject before. The review must include a critical analysis of all the used materials. Often such writing prove that deeper research is needed in the field or that the issue was not addressed properly. Reviews are common in the area of social sciences and medicine.

• Explanatory/background synthesis.

This type of synthesis essay is meant to help the audience further understand the topic. This can be done by categorizing facts. Explanatory synthesis essays usually have a weak thesis statement, if any, and do not support a certain standpoint.

How to Start a Synthesis Essay

Of course, the first steps are the hardest. To ensure the best results, you must properly approach the initial stages of your synthesis essay writing. Here is what we recommend you to do before you start writing that first draft:

1. First of all, choose the right topic that evokes your genuine interest. Ensure that your topic is broad enough to use a couple of corresponding sources, but avoid too general topics where different sources will be problematic to put together. For instance, instead of covering environmental problems in general, focus on plastic pollution or biodiversity loss. If your instructor assigned you a specific topic, make sure that you understand it completely.
2. Choose relevant sources, study them thoroughly, and make sure that information is clear to you. In the case of the AP exam, all the sources will be provided. For a synthesis essay, it is recommended to pick at least three sources when writing. If you have enough time after examining these basic materials, consider adding one-two more. While reading the chosen material, find what relates to your main argument. If the time is pressing, it is better to stick to three sources and examine them properly instead of taking five places and skipping through them haphazardly. Don’t forget to annotate sources and make notes. Thus, you will keep on course and avoid missing essential details.
3. Formulate synthesis essay thesis statement. After you toughly study all the sources, develop a thesis statement that reflects your point of view. Think of it as the fundamental idea behind your synthesis essay. Usually, a thesis statement takes the form of one complete sentence. You may insert it in the beginning, as an opening sentence, or end the first paragraph with it.
4. In the sources, find information to support your thesis. This could be statistics, concrete facts, or powerful quotes. Don’t forget to write them down so that you didn’t miss anything important in the process of writing.

Outlining Your Paper

It is strongly recommended to create a synthesis essay outline before you begin writing. It will help you present the material in an orderly and logical way. When it comes to AP exams, it is crucial to follow a specific synthesis essay structure:

1. Introduction includes a hook to grab the audience’s attention, identify the key issue, and your thesis statement.
2. Body paragraphs: a topic sentence that explains why your thesis should be supported, explanation of the topic sentence and your viewpoint, supporting evidence (quotes, facts, or statistics from the sources you chose), explanation of the sources’ relevance.
3. Conclusion: explain the issue’s significance based on the supporting evidence, and conclude with a powerful, memorable ending, an enlightening thought.

Once you have created an outline for your writing, start working on your first draft, and stick to your plan. However, if it is not an AP exam, don’t be afraid to deviate from the standard structure we discussed above.

List of Fascinating Synthesis Essay Topics

1. The impact of YouTube on shopping habits in teenagers
2. Social media as a threat to privacy
3. The influence of Instagram on stereotyping
4. The link between students’ performance and dress code
5. Technological progress and its effect on education
6. How people’s lifestyle choices influence the environment
7. The effect of fossil fuel usage on the climate
8. Are drones a threat to people’s privacy?
9. Changes in the workplace due to artificial intelligence
10. Does violence in video games provoke real-life violence in children?
11. The effects of machine learning on business productivity
12. Should the death penalty be banned worldwide?
13. Should children be forbidden to watch violent movies?
14. Should marijuana be legalized in the United States?
15. The link between poverty and children’s’ mental health.
16. Traditional books vs. audiobooks: which are better?
17. Does wealth make people happier?
18. Should prostitution be legal in the United States?
19. Should immigration to the USA be limited?
20. Should teachers in schools be more racially diverse?
21. Is art important in everyday life?
22. Does success require a natural talent or hard work?
23. How can the problem of overcrowded prisons be solved?
24. How can online shaming be reduced?
25. The influence of modern body standards on teenage girls

You can choose one of these synthesis essay topics or draw inspiration from this list and invent your own unique topic. Choose something that truly fascinates you and makes you want to delve deep into the matter.

Make Your Synthesis Essay Perfect

• use transitions to add natural flow to your text. Make sure that each paragraph smoothly flows into another;
• if you insert lengthy quotes that take up more than two lines, format them as block quotes. It will help you draw attention to them;
• write in the third person. This implies the usage of complete straightforward sentences and pronouns like “he,” “she,” “it”;
• use an active voice. Of course, passive voice is also acceptable to substitute using “I” or “you,” but without exaggeration;
• make sure you use a proper synthesis essay format. Check your teacher’s instructions and follow them carefully;
• when inventing a title for your synthesis essay, consider that it should reflect your standpoint. We recommend choosing a title after the first draft is complete. Thus, your title will perfectly match the content of the essay;
• properly cite all the sources you studied. Use footnotes to cite the material and include a full bibliography at the paper’s end;
• take time to proofread the writing. Eliminate all mistakes and inconsistencies. Check if all the proper nouns are correct. A good idea is to read the whole text aloud to make sure that the text has a natural flow to it. Consider asking your friend or a family member to read the essay and provide feedback.

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