You’ll complete different types of essays in school. They include narrative, argumentative, synthesis, and descriptive essays. The marks you score in these pieces determine if you successfully graduate. So, you should write excellent pieces.
If there are types of essays that confuse most students, it’s synthesis and argumentative essays. Some end up composing an argumentative essay, thinking they completed a synthesis easy. So, you should be careful when writing these types of papers. So let’s explore how these essays differ.
What Does the Term Synthesis Essay Represent? The Ultimate Guide
Before you begin drafting an essay, you should know what it entails. So let’s explore the synthesis essay definition. A synthesis essay is a type of paper that draws information from different sources to persuade the reader of a given perspective on a subject. For instance, you can synthesize a source that talks about the rise of social media and another that discusses the effects of social media on the youth. After that, you’ll have a final synthesis paper with a thesis statement that social media is beneficial to the youth.
Argumentative essays are different from synthesis essays. In this case, you could have a subject that has two opposing views like, “Is Social Media Good for the Youth?” With such a topic, you can decide to pick a position on whether social media is good or bad for the youth. As you do so, you should also present counterarguments well.
H2: Two Types of Argumentative Synthesis Essay
Before you begin composing a synthesis essay, you should know what type it is for you to do it accurately. Here’re the two main types of argumentative synthesis essay.
An Explanatory Synthesis Essay
When you have such a synthesis essay, the goal is to shed more light on a given topic. So, you don’t explain any point of view or argue a given perspective. Simply put, you explain the topic using your sources. Thus, you should ensure the sources are reputable.
Argument Synthesis Essay
In an argument synthesis essay, the aim is to promote a certain viewpoint based on the information in the sources used. You make your claim and explain it using your sources.
Great Topics Versus Not-So-Great Synthesis Essay Topic
Your synthesis essay topic is what your instructor reads first before proceeding to other parts of the piece. So, you should ensure it’s enticing if you want to attain a good grade. It takes a lot to select an excellent essay topic; don’t just settle on the first idea you come across.
First, a great topic is interesting to both you and the audience. As much as you want to learn something new, you should consider a topic you’re familiar with. With such a topic, it becomes easy for you to obtain the relevant content to write it. Besides, it could be something already in the public domain, making the reader eager to hear what you want to discuss.
A good synthesis essay topic should also be specific. That way, it becomes easy for you to cover it exhaustively. Broad topics are usually difficult to complete because you have a lot of information to cover. Here’re some superb topics for a college synthesis essay:
– Machine learning and how it affects productivity in business
– Modern technology and how it is solving the problem of income inequality
– Reasons parents should restrict their children’s social media usage
– The effects of modern technology on students’ academic performance
– Poverty and its effects on student’s academic performance
– Artificial intelligence and its effects on the workplace culture
– The effects of video games on teenagers
– Reasons homeschooling isn’t a good idea
– Approaches for stopping incidences of workplace abuses
– Chemical spilling and how it affects oceanic life
– Ways of dealing with the problem of depression in the society
– Punishing school bullies by expulsion
– Reasons why everyone should visit a therapist at least once a year
Avoid picking topics that aren’t debatable. Such subjects are boring, and getting enough content for your assignment is difficult.
You can obtain your topics from different sources. For instance, you can read synthesis essays written by great authors and write on related topics. You can also go for what people discuss on social media.
The Right Synthesis Essay Structure
Your synthesis essay shouldn’t look disorganized. It should be possible for the instructor to follow and understand the ideas in your piece. So, you should take the structure as a critical part of the whole synthesis essay writing process. Your synthesis essay structure should encompass an enticing introduction, complete body content, and an excellent conclusion.
A Perfect Synthesis Essay Introduction
The intro is what will motivate your reader to proceed to the rest of your piece. So, when writing a synthesis essay, ensure the intro is enticing. The professor should know you understand what you’re doing right from the start.
Begin by providing adequate background information on the subject of discussion; it offers context to the subject. Then, using a clear thesis statement, you also present the argument you intend to promote. Besides, you should state the sources you’re using in the essay.
Composing a Synthesis Essay Body
The body makes up the biggest percentage of the essay. Here, you state your point of view and use evidence to support your perspective on the issue at hand. Each body paragraph should only address a single issue to avoid confusion. Also, arrange the points well. Then, you can begin with the most crucial ones to the least.
Begin each of the body paragraphs with a clear topic sentence. Present pieces of evidence from the sources and demonstrate how they support your perspective on the matter. Use the right transitional words as you move from one piece of evidence to the next. Ensure you discuss a given claim fully before you proceed to the next paragraph.
Write Your Conclusion Like a Pro
The final part of a great synthesis essay is the outro. Here, you signal to the instructor that you’re wrapping up. At this point, you shouldn’t introduce a new idea.
Reaffirm your thesis statement without sounding like you’re repeating the same thing you said in the introduction. Then summarize the ideas you’ve discussed in the body of the synthesis essay. Finally, leave the reader with the final thoughts on the topic you’ve discussed.
Writing Techniques for a Great Synthesis Essay
Synthesis essay writing isn’t always easy for students. The process takes time, and you should be careful to get it right. So what are the approaches to composing a good synthesis essay? Here’re the best tips for you.
Understand the Essay Task Requirements
Some students want to complete their synthesis essays, hand them in, and proceed to other activities. If you do this, you’ll likely miss many details in the prompt. An incomplete or unsatisfactory essay means you attain a low grade. So, you should assess the synthesis prompt carefully before you begin working on it.
Essay tasks come with different instructions. Check what the instructor expects from you in terms of word count, the sources to use, the synthesis essay outline, and the formatting style. When you’re supposed to pick a topic on your own, you should settle on the right one. When you get the instructions right, it becomes easy to work on your essay.
The next step is to read and understand the subject the professor wants you to discuss. First, read it to get a general idea of what it means. During the second reading, analyze the keywords in the prompt and determine their influence on your expected response. The specific keywords you should assess carefully include:
– Evaluate
– Demonstrate
– Explain
– Highlight
– Prove
Sometimes, you may notice that the synthesis essay instructions are complex/confusing. Don’t proceed to the synthesis essay writing stage in such an instance. Instead, consult your instructor to clarify so you can proceed to the next stage. Alternatively, ask your classmates who understand the prompt to explain the instructions.
Obtain the Sources and Collect the Information
The quality of the synthesis essay you write depends on the sources you use. With excellent sources, you’ll write a more persuasive piece. So, you should ensure you get credible information sources.
You may be asking yourself, “What are the best sources as you write an essay for me?” Begin by looking at your lecture notes addressing the specific topic you’re expected to write about. Next, go to the college library and get books from reputable authors addressing the topic. If the instructor specifies the sources you should use, stick to them.
Finding the right sources is one step in the right direction. The next step is to understand the information in these sources. Read these resources carefully to form an informed viewpoint on the subject; if you don’t understand anything, re-read the source. Take notes, as they’ll help you during the writing stage.
Assess the Information and Create a Synthesis Essay Outline
Not all the information you collect ends up in the final synthesis essay. Analyze it to determine what sounds more persuasive; it’s this that you should have in your essay. You then decide how to order the information in the essay. It’s easy to score top marks when you compose organized synthesis essays.
Focus on Interpreting the Information
When some students hear about writing a synthesis essay, they think it’s just about summarizing the information they obtain from different sources. Instead, you should evaluate the sources; use the information to explain your point of view.
Edit and Proofread Your Synthesis Essay
One of the worst blunders to make is failing to polish your paper before submitting it for grading. It could mean you hand in your piece with lots of mistakes. In the process, you give your professor a reason to award you a low grade.
Take a short break after you complete writing a synthesis essay before you begin editing it. It helps you to approach the editing process with a fresh perspective. Correct all the grammar, spelling, and poor word choice issues during the editing stage. Don’t forget about the formatting errors.
Ascertain that you’ve corrected all the errors by proofreading your paper. Doing this with precision ensures you submit a great synthesis essay. A friend can also proofread the paper for you. Such a person can identify the mistakes you missed. When you submit an exemplary essay, you boost your chances of attaining a top grade.
The Correct Synthesis Essay Format
The synthesis essay format you use in your essay depends on the guidelines from the instructor. While you’re expected to use the APA format in some cases, other popular styles include MLA and Chicago styles. All these styles have specific characteristics you’re expected to adhere to as you write your synthesis essay.
For the MLA format, you’re supposed to write a double-spaced document with Times New Roman 12 pt font. You should have 1” margins in all the parts of your document. APA also has its rules that you should know and follow. Always stick to a perfect outline, just like what you find on paper writing service website.
Follow the Specified Synthesis Essay Rubric
As you draft your synthesis essay, demonstrate a perfect understanding of the subject at hand. Don’t confuse this piece with an argumentative essay. The professor usually expects you to write a 5-paragraph essay: an intro, three body paragraphs, and an outro.
Take-Away
A synthesis essay is different from an argumentative essay as you’re supposed to shed more light on a subject and not just defend a given point of view. Just like when composing other types of essays, you should pick the right topic, research, write all the sections, and polish the paper before turning it in. Importantly, ensure you follow all the instructions that come with the task.
