How to Write a Synthesis Essay: Expert Tips For Students

What is a synthesis essay?

In a synthesis essay, the information required in the essay is collected from different sources to formulate new ideas, arguments, questions and thesis. The information provided by the synthesis essay writers helps discuss different types of new data, evidence, and ideas from multiple sources to argue or explain facts and figures. The synthesis essays are generally used by college and school students and constitute five distinct essays. The thesis or question required to prepare the synthesis essay is based on the writer's opinion. It makes use of external data and objective evidence to discuss its point. 

Types of Synthesis Essay:

The two primary types of synthesis essays are argumentative essays and explanatory essays. Although the format of both essays is the same, they have different purposes.

• Argumentative essay: The synthesis argumentative essay is based on the same format as a typical argumentative essay. The thesis statement in an argumentative essay helps in discussing only a specific point. 
• Explanatory essay: The explanatory synthesis essay helps explain the writer's particular point with the help of different sources. The synthesis helps objectively explain the differences and similarities between different ideas, and the writer did not take a particular side or influence the reader for a specific point. 

Structure of synthesis essay 

The synthesis essay generally consists of five distinct paragraphs. However, there are some significant differences in the structure of the synthesis essay. The structure of synthesis essays consists of the following elements. 

• Introduction: The introduction of the synthesis consists of the foundational essays related to the essay topic. The introductory paragraph provides glimpses of different ideas and sources used in the essay. The introductory essay also provides information regarding the thesis statement and consists of one to two lines. The thesis statement is generally provided at the end of the introduction paragraph. 
• Body: The body of the synthesis generally consists of 3 different paragraphs. The first two paragraphs in the body use different sources to support the writer's arguments, and the last paragraph helps provide opposing arguments regarding the thesis statements. 
• Conclusion: The conclusion of the synthesis essay restates the thesis statement in a paraphrased manner. It also includes the arguments made in the essay. The conclusion helps to explain the different sources used for providing evidence to support the arguments made in the essay.
• Bibliography: The bibliography of the synthesis essay generally depends on the writing style of the essay. Different writing styles, such as APA, Chicago, MLA and Harvard. Bibliography is provided at the end of the essay and helps provide credit to the different sources used. 

Steps for writing a synthesis essay

An informative synthesis helps the readers travel through various sources and ideas to elaborate on a significant point in the essay. The steps for writing a synthesis essay are 

• Selecting an interesting topic: Conducting research before selecting the topic for the synthesis essay is essential. Selecting a topic per the writer's interest helps improve the quality of information provided in the essay. 
• Conducting research: After the selection of the topic required in the essay, it is essential to conduct in-depth research regarding the essay topic. Different sources, such as online and offline libraries, internet sources and books, can be used to conduct in-depth research regarding the essay. Academic sources can help the writer use quotes from writers and scholars for quoting them in the essay. In-depth research is essential as it helps prove the writer's various points regarding the topic in the essay. Credible sources are also considered essential for improving the authenticity of the information provided in the essay. 
• Outlining the different points: The essay's primary focus should be providing an argument or explaining the writer's perspective regarding the essay topic. It is also important to outline how different sources relate to the essay's thesis statement. 
• Providing introduction: It is the first and foremost paragraph in the essay and helps explain the general idea regarding the theme of the synthesis essay. The introduction paragraph provides information regarding the background of the essay topic, which will help attract the readers' attention to the essay. The introduction paragraph should include the thesis statement regarding the essay. 
•  Writing the body paragraph: The main body of the synthesis essay generally consists of three distinct body paragraphs. The paragraph in the main body of the synthesis statement consists of an introductory sentence, followed by evidence to prove the arguments made by the writer and a closing sentence providing a glimpse of the information provided in the next paragraph. The structure is essential for the essay as it helps keep the essay's focus on the topic of the essay and provides concise and clear information in the synthesis essay. 
• The conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of the synthesis statement and summarises the information provided in the essay. The conclusion paragraph generally resonates with the thesis statement in a paraphrased manner and summarises the critical elements provided in the essay. The concussion helps create a final impression regarding the synthesis essay in the readers' minds. 
• Proofreading: Proofreading the essay before the final submission is integral to writing a synthesis essay. Proofreading helps identify any grammatical or spelling errors present in the essays. Proofreading helps increase the readability of the essay and helps in providing clear and concise information regarding the topic in the thesis statement. 

Useful hacks for writing a synthesis essay

• Drafting freely: avoiding critical drafting of the essay and using free drafting for the essay is crucial. This is helpful for the writer to quickly outline the different ideas and use them in the essay after reviewing them.
• Reading thoroughly: The major component of writing a synthesis essay is interpreting the available text and making new ideas and conclusions from these texts. Reading the information carefully and making notes can be helpful for the writer to provide more concise information in the essay.
• Making hard copy: Creating a hard copy for the essay before submitting it can help the writer better identify any errors present in the essay. This helps improve the overall quality of the information presented in the essay.