words to use in synthesis essay

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

Synthesis essays are common assignments in both high school and university, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy or that everyone knows how to write them. In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know in order to write one yourself. We talk about synthesis essay structure and offer some general tips, plus we clarify any confusion between a synthesis essay versus an argumentative essay.

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What is a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay is a type of essay that combines points, data, and evidence from multiple sources and turns them into one idea that the writing revolves around. In other words, the writer synthesizes their own idea using other sources’ research and points. Usually, synthesis essays are a type of analytical essay , but they have crossover with other types of essays as well, such as argumentative essays .

The central idea in a synthesis essay is represented by the thesis statement , a sentence that succinctly explains the main point of the essay. In a synthesis essay, this “new” idea usually consolidates the main points and/or findings of other sources.

Synthesis essay structure

Creating a solid synthesis essay structure is one of the hardest parts of writing a synthesis essay. Unlike most other essay outlines , an outline for a synthesis essay has to include points from multiple sources, and such combinations don’t always have a logical or chronological sequence. To help you out, here are three strategies for creating a synthesis essay structure and sample outlines that you can use as templates.

Synthesis essay structure 1: By topic

The first kind of synthesis essay structure involves discussing each topic individually, mentioning each source’s perspective on it, and then moving on to the next topic. This approach lets you compare or join together points made by different sources about the same specific topic.

Structuring your synthesis essay by topic works best for more complicated ideas with different aspects that should be explored individually.

Example outline:

I. Introduction A. Thesis statement

II. Topic 1 A. Source A discussing Topic 1 1. A point or piece of evidence/data from Source A about Topic 1 2. Another point or piece of evidence/data from Source A about Topic 1 3. [Etc.]

B. Source B discussing Topic 1 1. A point or piece of evidence/data from Source B about Topic 1 2. [Etc.] 

III. Topic 2 A. Source A discussing Topic 2 B. [Etc.] 

IV. Topic 3 A. [Etc.]

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

V. Conclusion A. Revisit thesis statement

Synthesis essay structure 2: By source

Alternatively, you can organize your synthesis essay structure by source: You discuss the main points of one source together and then move on to another source. This approach lets you compartmentalize the main points according to where they come from but ultimately bring together the main points from different sources.

Structuring your synthesis essay by source works best when you want to emphasize the sources themselves over the points they make. For example, if you were using this type of structure for an argumentative essay, you might want to fully discuss the source you’re refuting before making your counterargument.

II. Source 1 A. Source 1 discussing Topic A 1. A point or piece of evidence/data from Source 1 about Topic A 2. Another point or piece of evidence/data from Source 1 about Topic A 3. [Etc.]

B. Source 1 discussing Topic B 1. A point or piece of evidence/data from Source 1 about Topic B 2. [Etc.]

III. Source 2 A. Source 2 discussing Topic A B. Source 2 discussing Topic B C. [Etc.]

IV. Source 3 A. [Etc.]

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

V. Conclusion 1. Revisit thesis statement

Synthesis essay structure 3: Combine

The synthesis essay structures above are by no means set in stone. You’re free to adapt or modify them however you need and can even combine them.

For example, what if there’s a special source that stands out from the others? You could begin your synthesis essay by discussing each topic individually so that your reader understands the issue. Then you could switch it up and include a section just for that one special source, explaining that source’s stance on the previously discussed topics.

3 tips for writing a synthesis essay

1 come up with a strong thesis statement.

As mentioned above, a thesis statement is a single sentence that briefly explains the main point of your essay. In a synthesis essay, the thesis statement should effectively bring together the ideas and points from multiple other sources.

Part of writing a strong thesis statement comes from choosing your essay topic . Pick a topic that is broad enough to have sufficient research and enough other sources discussing it but specific enough that you can cover everything.

As for writing the actual thesis statement, a helpful method is to phrase your topic as a question and then answer it. The answer could be a good start to your thesis statement sentence. For example, let’s say your topic is how Denmark came to be first in clean energy. You could phrase the question and answer as:

Q: “Why is Denmark the leading country in renewable energy?”

A: “Denmark is first in clean energy thanks in part to energy conservation from district heating, combined heat-and-power stations, and its use of small, locally based power plants instead of larger ones.”

That answer could double as your thesis statement and mentions some of the other types of sources you use in your essay.

2 Read all the sources carefully

A synthesis essay is only as good as its sources. The nature of a synthesis essay is to build on its sources, so you need to choose the best ones and understand each of them thoroughly.

Make sure you comb through your sources so you don’t miss a good point or piece of evidence you could use in your essay. It helps to come up with your thesis statement early on so you can look for points related to it when you’re reading.

3 Write a gripping introduction

One of the keys to any good essay, synthesis or not, is a strong opening. This is partially determined by your thesis statement, but the other sentences in your introduction also make a big impact.

For starters, you can learn how to write a hook . In writing, a hook is something that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to keep reading. Hooks can essentially be anything interesting. Some common strategies for writing hooks include using personal anecdotes to create an emotional connection or providing exciting facts/statistics that the reader might not know.

Additionally, the introduction should also explain the scope of your topic and set the scene for people who aren’t familiar with it. The goal of the introduction is to prepare the reader for what follows so that afterward you can transition straight into making your points.

Synthesis essay vs. argumentative essay

Synthesis essays are often compared to argumentative essays, which attempt to refute, debunk, or criticize existing ideas or other research. The truth is that the two are not mutually exclusive. Although synthesis essays tend to be analytical or expository, they can also be argumentative.

A synthesis essay is any essay that combines ideas from multiple sources to create a new unified idea. If that new idea is a rebuttal to a preexisting idea and the entire essay is written as a critique, then the essay would be both synthesis and argumentative.

Synthesis essay FAQs

A synthesis essay is a type of essay that combines points, data, and evidence from multiple sources and turns them into one unified idea. In other words, the writer synthesizes their own idea using other sources’ research and ideas.

What is a good synthesis essay structure?

Traditionally, the common approaches to creating a synthesis essay structure are organizing by topic or organizing by source. The former means you discuss each source’s perspective on a topic before moving to the next topic; the latter means you discuss one source’s stance on each topic and then move to another source. You can also create a hybrid structure of the two for particular subjects.

What is the difference between a synthesis essay and an argumentative essay?

Synthesis essays are often contrasted with argumentative essays, but the truth is that the two are not mutually exclusive. For example, an argumentative essay can use the format of a synthesis essay—combining points from multiple sources to form a new unified idea—in order to refute a preexisting idea.

Synthesis Essays: A Step-by-Step How-To Guide

A synthesis essay is generally a short essay which brings two or more sources (or perspectives) into conversation with each other.

The word “synthesis” confuses every student a little bit. Fortunately, this step-by-step how-to guide will see you through to success!

Here’s a step-by-step how-to guide, with examples, that will help you write yours.

Before drafting your essay:

After reading the sources and before writing your essay, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the debate or issue that concerns all of the writers? In other words, what is the question they are trying to answer?
• On what points do they agree?
• On what points do they disagree?
• If they were having a verbal discussion, how would writer number one respond to the arguments of writer number two?

In a way, writing a synthesis essay is similar to composing a summary. But a synthesis essay requires you to read more than one source and to identify the way the writers’ ideas and points of view are related.

Sometimes several sources will reach the same conclusion even though each source approaches the subject from a different point of view.

Other times, sources will discuss the same aspects of the problem/issue/debate but will reach different conclusions.

And sometimes, sources will simply repeat ideas you have read in other sources; however, this is unlikely in a high school or AP situation.

To better organize your thoughts about what you’ve read, do this:

• Identify each writer’s thesis/claim/main idea
• List the writers supporting ideas (think topic sentences or substantiating ideas)
• List the types of support used by the writers that seem important. For example, if the writer uses a lot of statistics to support a claim, note this. If a writer uses historical facts, note this.

There’s one more thing to do before writing: You need to articulate for yourself the relationships and connections among these ideas.

Sometimes the relationships are easy to find. For example, after reading several articles about censorship in newspapers, you may notice that most of the writers refer to or in some way use the First Amendment to help support their arguments and help persuade readers. In this case, you would want to describe the different ways the writers use the First Amendment in their arguments. To do this, ask yourself, “How does this writer exploit the value of the First Amendment/use the First Amendment to help persuade or manipulate the readers into thinking that she is right?

Sometimes articulating the relationships between ideas is not as easy. If you have trouble articulating clear relationships among the shared ideas you have noted, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the ideas of one writer support the ideas of another? If so, how?
• Do the writers who reach the same conclusion use the same ideas in their writing? If not, is there a different persuasive value to the ideas used by one writer than by the other?
• Do the writers who disagree discuss similar points or did they approach the subject from a completely different angle and therefore use different points and different kinds of evidence to support their arguments?
• Review your list of ideas. Are any of the ideas you have listed actually the same idea, just written in different words?

Point by point:

If you choose to organize your essay point by point, present your ideas in the following order:

• introduction
• one point discussed by two or more writers
• another point discussed by two or more writers

You have just read several articles about protecting the fragile environment of Utah’s west desert. One article was written by a spokesperson for the cattle industry, one by a member of the Sierra Club, one by a professor of environmentalism at the state university, and one by an all-terrain vehicle owner. Although it’s unlikely that these writers will agree about the best way to protect the desert, it is possible that they will focus on similar points of concern, those being perhaps

• impact of land-use on indigenous plants and animals
• impact of land use on local human populations including ranchers and recreational lists
• impact of land-use on future generations

Once you identify the similar points of concern, if you organize your synthesis essay around these points, you will give yourself a head start when describing the relationships between the different arguments because you can use easy-to-use transitions between paragraphs such as “another point on which the writers agree…”

Point-by-point organization works well when you can identify similar points discussed by different writers. However, you will sometimes read articles all of which are concerned with the same topic that do not make similar points. In this case, writers sometimes organize their  synthesis essays source by source rather than point by point.

Source by source:

If you choose to organize your essay source by source, present your ideas in the following order

• summary of writer’s idea/point of view with explication and interpretation/commentary of the writer’s main points. You should aim for a two-to-one ratio in this part of the essay: one third summary and explication, two thirds interpretation/commentary.
• summary of writer’s idea /point of view, explication, and interpretation/commentary of the main points of another source using a two-to-one ratio
• summary of writer’s idea/point of view, explication, and interpretation/commentary of the main points of another source using a two-to-one ratio
• write about one commonality among the sources
• write about another commonality

Source-by-source organization is ill-advised at the high school level or in an AP situation as it often produces summary paragraphs not synthetized paragraphs.

Blended organization:.

A blended essay will require a great deal of rhetorical skill and is not advised at the high school level or in an AP situation. However, if you choose to use a blended organization, present your ideas in the following order:

• one point discussed by two or more authors
• another point discussed by two or more authors
• one major point discussed by only one author
• another major point discussed by only one writer

A skillful, blended organization and presentation of ideas will produce a rhetorically sophisticated and complex essay (complex because it will best represent connections and relations between and among points of view).

How to write a synthesis essay thesis statement:

Often, a thesis statement is meant to be a bold, opinionated statement which a student writer uses as a foundation for her argument. However, having a thesis which is too bold (hyperbolic) and/or too strong (grandiose) may be detrimental as the lack of qualification may make the statement be untrue or easy to dismiss. Therefore, it is in your best interest and customary in academe to qualify the thesis statement in order to persuade the reader that you are judicious and measured. Also, by qualifying, you allow the statement itself to be true.

Example of bad thesis statement:

Taxes on imports are too high.

This unqualified thesis statement doesn’t serve the writer well. The statement is too global, unconditional. To make the thesis statement more persuasive, you want to convince the reader that you understand that there are alternative points of view on the subject, not just your own.

Example of good thesis statement:

Often times, taxes on imports are too high.

This slight qualification helps assure the reader that you understand that there are multiple points of view on the subject. Other qualifiers include sometimes, most often, more often, most.

If there is information that goes against your main point/idea, don’t ignore it, but find a way to acknowledge it.

How to write an introductory paragraph for a synthesis essay:.

1.Identify a strong position vis a vis the topic written about. When writing your essay for the AP exam, it doesn’t matter if you agree with your position; think instead: What position of those written about offers me most to write about easily and quickly?

2.Test your position by writing a draft thesis statement. Sound good? Stick with it for a moment, but remember you may have to tweak it after writing the rest of the paragraph so that it most effectively represents the concerns you will write about in the essay.

3.Write at least one but better two more sentences expanding on (elaborating about/writing in more detail about) your position.

Our country, the United States of America, employs a peculiar sort of governing system: democracy. Simply by definition, democracy’s goal as a system of rule for the people by the people implies that the greatest number of people possible should be involved. Although the media’s mission of supplying pertinent information to the masses follows democratic ideals in definition, the media’s impact upon American society, especially in the area of presidential elections, has done little to increase participation in the political process and by doing so, has created a new sort of identity for the president himself.

4.Write one or more sentences identifying the sources you are using that does so in a way that shows that you are comparing and contrasting ideas and points of view from different sources. You might think of starting your sentence in this way, “While she argues/claims…, he predicts/strongly suggests that…” Remember to include title of the text, author’s name, genre (if possible), and if relevant pertinent background information about the writer, the text (perhaps its historical moment).

When governments legislate freedom acts, are they actually for the freedom of citizens or giving freedom to the governments to spy on people? This hidden agenda is demonstrated in the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the essay “Why read 1984” by Roy Ogren, and the article “Americans are Now Living in a Society that Rivals Orwell’s 1984 ” by Paul Joseph Watson and Alex Jones. The authors demonstrate the propaganda and technology are government tools to influence the citizens thoughts.

5.Write a sentence identifying a relationship between the sources you are using and connect to your thesis.

Many aspects of Orwell’s dystopian visions in 1984 are occurring today, but on a grand scale. Both essay and article illustrate elements of Orwell’s dark vision in present day America by describing its hidden use of technology.

How to write body paragraphs for synthesis essays:

1.Pick three points to write about from your list of points about which the writers agreed or disagreed. When picking three to write about, pick the three that offer you ample evidence.

2.Decide the order of the three points to be written about in your body paragraphs.

3.Write a topic sentence that identifies the point to be discussed in the first body paragraph.

Tip:  The persuasive value of your topic sentence will be enhanced if you include a concession/counter argument in your topic sentence. This might take the form of a subordinate clause (“While some such as these people and those people are skeptical, Harvey dissects this argument with surgical precision…”)

Also, your essay will be easier to read (“flow”) if you start the paragraph with a transition. (See example in parenthesis.)

To begin, the basic assumption of using the media to relay news to the people is not a bad one. Television has brought widespread “penetration,” “geographic distribution,” and a “feeling of direct contact” to the people of America (source a).  

All in all, as a nation heralding itself as an example of democracy for the rest of the world, the United States must follow the definition of democracy, that is, allowing the greatest possible involvement in order to improve as a nation. Though the media has brought the opportunity of involvement to many American households, it has sent many more way and has actually created a sort of public apathy regarding the political process. At the same time that citizen straightaway, presidents have become more concerned with the now limited opinion surrounding their office. This inverse relationship of concern is far from fulfilling our forefathers hopes and even farther from granting that mediate the title of a positive influence on society.

Ready to get started?  Call me.

Dr. Osborn works with students from all over the world to help them reach their independent, college, and graduate school goals. Through a personal, one-on-one approach, Dr. Osborn creates an individualized plan for each student based on the student’s strengths, passions, and career aspirations. Her holistic approach helps students perform well in school and secure admission to top colleges.  

Phrases that begin the work of synthesis

Melanie Gagich

Examples of sentence structures that demonstrate synthesis:

Synthesis that indicates agreement/support:

• Source A asserts that… Source B agrees when he or she states…
• According to both A & B…
• The combined conclusions of sources B & C seem to indicate that…
• The evidence shows that…
• Source B is correct that…
• Source C makes a convincing case when she argues…
• I agree with Source A’s conclusion that…

Synthesis that indicates disagreement/conflict:

• Source A asserts that…Yet Source B offers a different perspective by…
• Source C & B would likely disagree regarding…
• My view, however, contrary to what Source A has argued, is…
• I argue that X & Y are the best solution, though Source B offers a different option.
• In contrast, I would like to offer some objections to the opinions expressed by source C…
• While source A makes an intriguing argument, I would disagree…

What the above examples indicate is that synthesis is the careful weaving in of outside opinions in order to show your reader the many ideas and arguments on your topic and further assert your own. Notice, too, that the above examples are also signal phrases : language that introduces outside source material to be either quoted or paraphrased.

The content on this page is from Melanie Gagich’s book Introduction to Writing in College, which is licensed as CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 and can be accessed here.

English 102: Reading, Research, and Writing by Melanie Gagich is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Well-Written Synthesis Essay Examples

• DESCRIPTION Research Synthesis Essay Outline
• SOURCE shironosov / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Essay writing is a craft many students have yet to master. Doing great research and having the right tools in place, such as synthesis essay examples and outlines, can make your writing process a breeze. Learn what it takes to write a synthesis essay through several example topics.

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

When it comes to a synthesis essay, it is all about the research. You must take a stand, but that position needs to be backed up by credible sources. Before you even start writing your essay , choose a topic . It needs to be something you can research and for which you can find informative and non-biased sources such as peer-reviewed journals.

Once you have your topic at hand, follow these steps:

• Create your thesis statement .
• Gather your research.
• Write an outline of your major points.
• Draft your essay .

Formatting a Synthesis Essay

Students typically write synthesis essays for high school AP language courses or college classes. Therefore, your professor will provide you with a writing guideline to follow like MLA or APA . These writing structures designate how you will cite your sources and format your bibliography .

Synthesis Essay Examples

With a basic understanding of a synthesis essay under your belt, dive right into the different examples. Use the synthesis essay examples to learn how to write a solid introduction and perfect conclusion to crush your AP lit class.

Synthesis Essay Introduction Example

This synthesis essay example discusses the topic of ‘is homeschooling a good idea?’ Learn how to craft a strong introduction in your essay.

In the movies, the doe-eyed homeschooler getting thrust into public education becomes either a comedy or horror fest. But does art truly mimic life when it comes to homeschooling? This might have been true of the religious-based homeschooling curriculum of the past, but in modern homeschooling education, students have access to online and personalized learning, socialization activities, and lasting friendships.

See this whole sample essay by clicking the Adobe PDF below.

Synthesis essay introduction example

Synthesis essay thesis example.

Looking for how to craft a perfect thesis for your synthesis essay? Make sure it is to-the- point and lists your points to be covered like in this example about sexism associated with school dress codes.

Dress codes are everywhere. According to the National Center for Education statistics, more than 53% of schools have dress code guidelines. However, these standards to conform students and promote learning become sexist by targeting females, sexualizing clothing, and leading to a disproportionate loss of learning time.

Dive more into this synthesis essay below.

Synthesis essay thesis example

Ap high school synthesis essay example.

Put all your knowledge together to create a well-written essay, such as this one covering ‘does Facebook make people less social?’ See how all the parts come together to create a cohesive and expertly-researched argument.

Social media apps are a dime a dozen. Feeling lonely, all you must do is hop on Facebook to connect with your thousands of friends. However, are you truly connecting? Social media giants like Facebook are supposed to make us feel more connected; however, they can lead to loneliness, less face-to-face connections, and lower self-esteem. With thousands of friends, how could a person possibly feel lonely? Having thousands of friends means nothing if they aren’t true friends. According to research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, many people called friends on Facebook aren’t. There are few true friends you can rely on in social media. Additionally, these so-called friends are only showing you their best through their posts and tags, according to Sherry Turkle. This can make you feel more isolated and lonelier.

Want to see more? Click on the link.

Ap high school synthesis essay example

Creating a great synthesis essay.

Writing great essays is an art form. To get everything perfect, all your parts need to come together seamlessly, which makes research and preparation key. Learn more about creating essays by studying how to write a cause and effect essay through fun and interesting examples .