Synthesis essays are widespread assignments in each highschool and college, however that doesn’t imply they’re straightforward or that everybody is aware of the right way to write them. On this information, we talk about the whole lot you have to know with a purpose to write one your self. We speak about synthesis essay construction and provide some basic ideas, 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 kind of analytical essay, however they’ve crossover with different forms of essays as properly, similar 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 will help you out, listed here are three methods for making a synthesis essay construction and pattern outlines that you should utilize as templates.
Synthesis essay construction 1: By matter
The primary form of synthesis essay construction entails discussing every matter individually, mentioning every supply’s perspective on it, after which shifting on to the following matter. This strategy enables you to examine or be part of collectively factors made by totally different sources about the identical particular matter.
Structuring your synthesis essay by matter works greatest for extra difficult concepts with totally different features that ought to be explored individually.
Instance define:
I. Introduction
A. Thesis assertion
II. Matter 1
A. Supply A discussing Matter 1
1. A degree 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. A degree 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 possibly can set up your synthesis essay construction by supply: You talk about the details of 1 supply collectively after which transfer on to a different supply. This strategy enables you to compartmentalize the details in line with the place they arrive from however finally deliver collectively the details from totally different sources.
Structuring your synthesis essay by supply works greatest if you wish to emphasize the sources themselves over the factors they make. For instance, should you have been utilizing any such construction for an argumentative essay, you would possibly wish to absolutely talk about 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. A degree 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. A degree 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 under no circumstances set in stone. You’re free to adapt or modify them nevertheless you want and may even mix them.
For instance, what if there’s a particular supply that stands out from the others? You could possibly start your synthesis essay by discussing every matter individually in order that your reader understands the difficulty. Then you could possibly change it up and embody a piece only for that one particular supply, explaining that supply’s stance on the beforehand mentioned subjects.
3 ideas for writing a synthesis essay
1
Provide you with a robust 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 robust thesis assertion comes from selecting your essay matter. Choose a subject that’s broad sufficient to have enough analysis and sufficient different sources discussing it however particular sufficient which you can cowl the whole lot.
As for writing the precise thesis assertion, a useful methodology is to phrase your matter as a query after which reply it. The reply might be an excellent begin to your thesis assertion sentence. For instance, let’s say your matter is how Denmark got here to be first in clear vitality. You could possibly phrase the query and reply as:
Q: “Why is Denmark the main nation in renewable vitality?”
A: “Denmark is first in clear vitality thanks partially to vitality conservation from district heating, mixed heat-and-power stations, and its use of small, regionally primarily based energy vegetation as a substitute of bigger ones.”
That reply may double as your thesis assertion and mentions a number of the different forms of sources you utilize in your essay.
2
Learn all of the sources fastidiously
A synthesis essay is just nearly as good as its sources. The character of a synthesis essay is to construct on its sources, so you have to select one of the best ones and perceive every of them totally.
Be sure to comb by your sources so that you don’t miss an excellent level or piece of proof you could possibly use in your essay. It helps to provide you with your thesis assertion early on so you possibly can search for factors associated to it if you’re studying.
3
Write a gripping introduction
One of many keys to any good essay, synthesis or not, is a robust opening. That is partially decided by your thesis assertion, however the different sentences in your introduction additionally make a huge impact.
For starters, you possibly can be taught the right way to write a hook. In writing, a hook is one thing that grabs the reader’s consideration and makes them wish to preserve 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 details/statistics that the reader won’t know.
Moreover, the introduction must also clarify the scope of your matter and set the scene for individuals who aren’t acquainted with it. The purpose of the introduction is to organize the reader for what follows in order that afterward you possibly can transition straight into making your factors.
Synthesis essay vs. argumentative essay
Synthesis essays are sometimes in comparison with argumentative essays, which try and refute, debunk, or criticize current concepts or different analysis. The reality is that the 2 should not mutually unique. Though synthesis essays are usually 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 can be each synthesis and argumentative.
Synthesis essay FAQs
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 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 matter or organizing by supply. The former means you talk about every supply’s perspective on a subject earlier than shifting to the following matter; the latter means you talk about one supply’s stance on every matter after which transfer to a different supply. You may also 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 should not mutually unique. For instance, an argumentative essay can use the format of a synthesis essay—combining factors from a number of sources to type a brand new unified thought—with a purpose to refute a preexisting thought.
