Now, how to start a synthesis essay torments many students. When you hear the word ‘essay’, you automatically know what it means and can develop a good essay quickly and in the proper English. You have probably done it severally. However, writing a synthesis essay needs a clear focus of your essay’s purpose so that you don’t go off topic in your argument. We will guide you step by step, from searching for a focus area to structuring your ideas.
What is a synthesis essay?
To begin, we must first define a synthesis essay. A synthesis essay is a college or high school paper discussing a theme drawn from one or a variety of sources. It tests a student’s ability to draw inferences on the relationship between a particular theme and sources. The instructor must provide sources you will use. However, you will develop your topic and outline your conclusions.
The ability to analyze different information and understand how they relate to each other is a skill we all use in daily life right from middle school. For example, you may read a newspaper today and link it to something you have seen or experienced before. That is a synthesis skill. For an academic synthesis essay, you will need to present an argument or explanation based on the sources your instructor gives you.
Components of a synthesis paper:
- The Topic: the topic should encompass all that you are going to cover in your synthesis essay.
- The Thesis: should state your position on the issue under discussion.
- Your argument: should include the main points explaining why you stand for a particular position on the theme you are exploring.
- Supporting evidence: these are the facts and sources that should support your thesis and main points in your body paragraphs.
- The conclusion: should summarize your essay objective and prompt the reader to think about what you have discussed.
How to pick topics for synthesis essays
Sometimes your teacher may give you the freedom to explore any synthesis essay topic ideas. In this case, you need to make a wise decision in choosing your preferred topic. Your text will be limited to that topic. A synthesis essay is more complicated than an argumentative essay and so coming up with a strong topic can be challenging.
Characteristics of good synthesis essay topics
- Present a real argument with sharp points for and against a particular issue.
- Explore relevant issues in the society.
- Are original and innovative.
The recommended structure of a synthesis essay
A good synthesis essay structure should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. Prior planning before writing your paper is essential in developing professional work. Outline your plan concisely. The first part of your synthesis essay is the thesis statement. It is the most significant sentence in your paper, and all other ideas you will write about will revolve around it.
Next, write the introduction. The purpose of your introductory part is to outline the arguments you have written in your body briefly. The length depends on the number of pages for your essay. One or two paragraphs are a good length. It must never exceed a page.
Develop the essay body paragraphs after your introduction. They should be much longer than the introduction section as they carry the main ideas of your synthesis essay. Lastly, work on your conclusion.
Tricks on how to conclude a synthesis essay:
- Restate your thesis statement in the first line.
- Summarize the main points in your essay in the following two to three lines.
- Write a concluding sentence that leaves a striking impression on your reader.
Getting the structure of your thesis right
The thesis statement is the most crucial part of your essay because it represents the main idea. All other parts defend this idea using evidence from reputable sources. It should be interesting. Make it readable and in one sentence. A thesis is important in drawing your reader to the body of your essay. The commonly accepted synthesis essay thesis structure is to place it as the last sentence in your introduction. It should be clear and strong. I would recommend you develop it after you have made your essay outline.
Hook your readers with your introduction paragraph
The synthesis essay introduction should make your reader want to continue reading. You can start with an anecdote or a rhetorical question in your first sentence. It will keep your reader guessing. In the next two or three sentences, you begin to explain your topic idea. Make your synthesis essay intro short and straight to the point.
Develop your main ideas in the body of your essay
Develop each idea in a separate paragraph. The body section of the essay may consist of up to five independent ideas. The general structure should be to start with stating an idea and then explaining it.
How to write a body paragraph for a synthesis essay
The first thing you need to do is to analyze your source documents. Do a thorough analysis to understand what you should write about. Then, make an outline. An outline should consist of points that form your argument or explanation. The number of pages for the synthesis essay body depends on the number of ideas you wish to discuss. For example, if you need to express five ideas, you will need five paragraphs in your body section.
Get a great conclusion for your synthesis essay
The conclusion should not just paraphrase what you have written in your paper. It should be fresh and engaging. It is important to know how to write a conclusion for a synthesis essay because it is your last opportunity to impress your reader. Re-emphasis your essay’s main ideas and end with an intriguing phrase. You can order a synthesis essay from us.
