Synthesis essays are widespread assignments in each highschool and college, however that doesn’t imply they’re straightforward or that everybody is aware of learn how to write them. On this information, we focus on every little thing it’s worthwhile to know with the intention to write one your self. We speak about synthesis essay construction and provide some basic suggestions, plus we make clear any confusion between a synthesis essay versus an argumentative essay.

What’s a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay is a kind of essay that mixes factors, knowledge, and proof from a number of sources and turns them into one concept that the writing revolves round. In different phrases, the author synthesizes their very own thought utilizing different sources’ analysis and factors. Often, synthesis essays are a sort of analytical essay, however they’ve crossover with different varieties of essays as properly, equivalent to argumentative essays.

The central thought in a synthesis essay is represented by the thesis assertion, a sentence that succinctly explains the principle level of the essay. In a synthesis essay, this “new” thought often consolidates the details and/or findings of different sources.

Synthesis essay construction

Making a strong synthesis essay construction is without doubt one of the hardest components of writing a synthesis essay. In contrast to most different essay outlines, an overview for a synthesis essay has to incorporate factors from a number of sources, and such mixtures don’t all the time have a logical or chronological sequence. That can assist you out, listed here are three methods for making a synthesis essay construction and pattern outlines that you need to use as templates.

Synthesis essay construction 1: By subject

The primary sort of synthesis essay construction entails discussing every subject individually, mentioning every supply’s perspective on it, after which shifting on to the subsequent subject. This strategy enables you to examine or be part of collectively factors made by totally different sources about the identical particular subject.

Structuring your synthesis essay by subject works greatest for extra difficult concepts with totally different facets that must be explored individually.

Instance define:

I. Introduction
A. Thesis assertion

II. Matter 1
A. Supply A discussing Matter 1
1. Some extent or piece of proof/knowledge from Supply A about Matter 1
2. One other level or piece of proof/knowledge from Supply A about Matter 1
3. [Etc.]

B. Supply B discussing Matter 1
1. Some extent or piece of proof/knowledge from Supply B about Matter 1
2. [Etc.] 

III. Matter 2
A. Supply A discussing Matter 2
B. [Etc.] 

IV. Matter 3
A. [Etc.]

[You can keep going like this with as many topics as you need.]

V. Conclusion
A. Revisit thesis assertion

Synthesis essay construction 2: By supply

Alternatively, you’ll be able to manage your synthesis essay construction by supply: You focus on the details of 1 supply collectively after which transfer on to a different supply. This strategy enables you to compartmentalize the details in accordance with the place they arrive from however in the end deliver collectively the details from totally different sources.

Structuring your synthesis essay by supply works greatest once you wish to emphasize the sources themselves over the factors they make. For instance, in case you have been utilizing such a construction for an argumentative essay, you would possibly wish to totally focus on the supply you’re refuting earlier than making your counterargument.

Instance define:

I. Introduction
A. Thesis assertion

II. Supply 1
A. Supply 1 discussing Matter A
1. Some extent or piece of proof/knowledge from Supply 1 about Matter A
2. One other level or piece of proof/knowledge from Supply 1 about Matter A
3. [Etc.]

B. Supply 1 discussing Matter B
1. Some extent or piece of proof/knowledge from Supply 1 about Matter B
2. [Etc.]

III. Supply 2
A. Supply 2 discussing Matter A
B. Supply 2 discussing Matter B
C. [Etc.]

IV. Supply 3
A. [Etc.]

[You can keep going like this for all your sources.]

V. Conclusion
1. Revisit thesis assertion

Synthesis essay construction 3: Mix

The synthesis essay constructions above are on no account set in stone. You’re free to adapt or modify them nevertheless you want and might even mix them.

For instance, what if there’s a particular supply that stands out from the others? You might start your synthesis essay by discussing every subject individually in order that your reader understands the difficulty. Then you would change it up and embody a piece only for that one particular supply, explaining that supply’s stance on the beforehand mentioned subjects.

3 suggestions for writing a synthesis essay

1
Give you a powerful thesis assertion

As talked about above, a thesis assertion is a single sentence that briefly explains the principle level of your essay. In a synthesis essay, the thesis assertion ought to successfully deliver collectively the concepts and factors from a number of different sources.

A part of writing a powerful thesis assertion comes from selecting your essay subject. Choose a subject that’s broad sufficient to have adequate analysis and sufficient different sources discussing it however particular sufficient that you may cowl every little thing.

As for writing the precise thesis assertion, a useful methodology is to phrase your subject as a query after which reply it. The reply may very well be an excellent begin to your thesis assertion sentence. For instance, let’s say your subject is how Denmark got here to be first in clear vitality. You might phrase the query and reply as:

Q: “Why is Denmark the main nation in renewable vitality?”

A: “Denmark is first in clear vitality thanks partly to vitality conservation from district heating, mixed heat-and-power stations, and its use of small, regionally based mostly energy vegetation as an alternative of bigger ones.”

That reply may double as your thesis assertion and mentions a few of the different varieties of sources you utilize in your essay.

2
Learn all of the sources rigorously

A synthesis essay is simply nearly as good as its sources. The character of a synthesis essay is to construct on its sources, so it’s worthwhile to select one of the best ones and perceive every of them completely.

Be sure to comb by your sources so that you don’t miss an excellent level or piece of proof you would use in your essay. It helps to give you your thesis assertion early on so you’ll be able to search for factors associated to it once you’re studying.

3
Write a gripping introduction

One of many keys to any good essay, synthesis or not, is a powerful opening. That is partially decided by your thesis assertion, however the different sentences in your introduction additionally make a big effect.

For starters, you’ll be able to study learn how to write a hook. In writing, a hook is one thing that grabs the reader’s consideration and makes them wish to hold studying. Hooks can basically be something attention-grabbing. Some widespread methods for writing hooks embody utilizing private anecdotes to create an emotional connection or offering thrilling information/statistics that the reader may not know.

Moreover, the introduction also needs to clarify the scope of your subject and set the scene for individuals who aren’t conversant in it. The purpose of the introduction is to arrange the reader for what follows in order that afterward you’ll be able to transition straight into making your factors.

Synthesis essay vs. argumentative essay

Synthesis essays are sometimes in comparison with argumentative essays, which try to refute, debunk, or criticize current concepts or different analysis. The reality is that the 2 aren’t mutually unique. Though synthesis essays are typically analytical or expository, they can be argumentative.

A synthesis essay is any essay that mixes concepts from a number of sources to create a brand new unified thought. If that new thought is a rebuttal to a preexisting thought and your complete essay is written as a critique, then the essay could be each synthesis and argumentative.

Synthesis essay FAQs

What’s a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay is a sort of essay that mixes factors, knowledge, and proof from a number of sources and turns them into one unified thought. In different phrases, the author synthesizes their very own thought utilizing different sources’ analysis and concepts.

What is an efficient synthesis essay construction?

Historically, the widespread approaches to making a synthesis essay construction are organizing by subject or organizing by supply. The former means you focus on every supply’s perspective on a subject earlier than shifting to the subsequent subject; the latter means you focus on one supply’s stance on every subject after which transfer to a different supply. You too can create a hybrid construction of the 2 for explicit topics.

What’s the distinction between a synthesis essay and an argumentative essay?

Synthesis essays are sometimes contrasted with argumentative essays, however the reality is that the 2 aren’t mutually unique. For instance, an argumentative essay can use the format of a synthesis essay—combining factors from a number of sources to kind a brand new unified thought—with the intention to refute a preexisting thought.