How to write a synthesis essay (Guide for students)
Synthesis essays are a part of helping the students to develop analytical skills in the educational growth and for their careers. As the name suggests, these are essays which involve analyzing information from a number of sources. As such, synthesis essays involve assembling various parts of information together on a given topic and presented in a manner related to the thesis statement. In this case, the student is supposed to bring different pieces of information together, and some of the cases view points of the different writers from where they are collecting the information. The different viewpoints and piece of informant present a coherent analysis of the content and develop an argument. As such, the student is supposed to be guided by a thesis statement setting the precedence of the argument and the way the information is presented relative to the opposing viewpoints. This means that the writer is supposed to show both sides of the opposing views.
Purposes of a Synthesis Essay:
- The purpose of a synthesis essay is to analyze information from different sources and presenting an argument based on the various viewpoints and the information available.
- At the same time, this is an essay that gives the writer the freedom of presenting their view point based on the information available.
- Ideally, the essays take on the argument based approach. As such, they are also seen to be argumentative, relative to the fact that they are used to present varying viewpoints on a topic, with an inclination on the author’s view or even given the most fitting approach to the topic without having to involve the views of the writer.
- Synthesis is, however, different from the traditional argumentative essays, relative to the fact that they help the writer to go beyond, defending, qualifying or challenging a given position. The writer uses the essay to express the different viewpoints and the arguments associated with the topic and evaluation of the different factors with regard to a given topic and then relate the same to the implications of the decisions.
- Other than just summarizing the information found on the different sources, the writer also has the chance to paraphrase or even quote the work of other writers in a bid to place their argument.
Topic choice
There are quite a number of factors the writer has to consider when making a choice on the topic to write about. Or, in the case of the student to evaluate what it is they would want to talk about with reference to the topics offered in class.
- Where the student is supposed to come up with a topic, there is a need to understand the concept they would want to synthesize in the essay.
- The students are able to make the right and insightful connections between the different works presented with reference to supporting the argument of the thesis statement.
- It is also important the writer chooses a topic which is fit for the synthesis essay, giving a room for material analysis.
- The other part involves reading up on the topic and developing the right thesis statement.
With these highlights in mind, it is much easier for the student to find the most fitting topics for a synthesis essay.
- Do school grading system influence students to perform better?
- Should students also be allowed to grade their lecturers?
- How does cheating affect children in a marriage?
- How serious should the standardized tests be taken?
- What is the true implication of electric cars on the environment?
- How well do standardized tests evaluate the abilities of a student?
- Does the current education system provide students with the right learning environment?
- How important are the art classes for a young child?
- Should children be given a chance to choose what they want to pursue in life and career?
- Who should have the authority to view the student records?
- Should the immigrants coming in from the middle east be entitled to education?
- How long should a school be?
- How should the community address bullying?
- What is the main cause of bullying in schools?
- What is the right course of action on students that misbehave?
- Should parents cane their children when they misbehave?
- Is it okay if schools used corporal punishment as means to discipline the children?
- Should all the students be allocated equal spaces on the yearbook?
- Should the engineering students pay more for their college degrees than the English majors?
- Are the web filters at school effective in protecting students from accessing damaging information online?
- Does the use of technology lead to a lonelier life?
- Do productivity apps assist in improving results or are they a waste of time and money?
- Does social media help connect people or make them more distant?
- Should being intimate with another person online be considered cheating?
- How well do teachers use technology to help students?
- Can smartphones be used as educational tools?
- How effective are computers at grading essays?
- What roles will robots play in the future?
- How trustworthy are online reviews on electronics?
- Is there a concern about the level of filming that the current generation has achieved?
- What is the right age for a child to be given a smartphone?
- Should tablet computers become the primary means of teaching children?
- How should cyberbullies be punished?
- How necessary is college education in developing a successful life?
- What is the importance of the teachers-parents’ meetings for children in middle school?
- How involved should parents be with reference to helping their children with homework?
- What is your position on gender equality?
- Is there a positive impact of the capital punishment for terrorism?
- Is same sex marriage a good idea?
- Is it important to wean off children from video games?
Synthesis essay structure
Outline writing
This type of essays follow a rather unique outline to bring about the argument of the writer and support the thesis statement. The basic synthesis essay outline of a synthesis essay contains an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs and a conclusion. In an example, when writing about using capital punishment to stop terrorism, the writer should first start with giving a highlight of the topic. This includes some of the baseline information about the statistics on terrorism and then the impacts of the same on the reader. This then develops towards the capital methods that have been used on terrorism suspects and the impacts they have had. This creates the need to evaluate the impacts of capital punishment. This is followed by a thesis statement that may be in objection to the capital punishment for the terrorists. The body paragraphs will then present the two opposing sides of the argument. The conclusion brings to a close of the argument, in support of the thesis statement.
Tips concerning introduction writing
It is critical that the introduction for the synthesis essay elicits the interest of the readers so they may continue with the text. This means the writer has to establish some element of information presentation that gets the readers to learn more about the topic and the argument presented.
Tips on thesis writing
When writing the thesis statement, it is essential for the student to understand the topic in depth. This means, the argument they will place at the end of the introduction best presents a debatable topic. Ideally, a thesis statement is supposed to be short and precise, even in the choice of words. At the same time, it is supposed to be relevant to the topic.
Tips on body paragraphs
The body paragraphs open up to the rest of the synthesis essay, where each of the section presents its own argument. At the start of each of the paragraphs is the topic sentence, followed by an explanation, supporting evidence and lastly the significance of the same. Then, it is closed with a transition words to connect with the next paragraph. The writer should always maintain focus, so they do not offer irrelevant information. The sentences should be short and precise to pass the message.
Tips on conclusion writing
The synthesis essay conclusion draws on the significance of the topic from the evidence presented, and brings the essay to an end. The writer should revisit the thesis statement. Also, the writer justifies their argument by making sure it is aligned with the thesis statement. If there are shortcomings in the essay, they are mentioned at the conclusion. Where the topic would require more research, the writer lets the audience know using the conclusion.
Sources
When sourcing for the information on a given topic, students should always make sure their sources are credible and academic. While they read up on the topic from other sources such as blogs, this is only to give them an idea.
Finalizing
In essay writing, at the end of the essay, the writer should make sure they read through to correct any mistakes grammatical or otherwise. This helps to improve on the credibility of the essay. At the same time, the citations should be correct and the title well-articulated.
