How to Write a Synthesis Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

A synthesis essay brings together multiple sources and combines their ideas into one coherent argument or perspective Mastering how to write a synthesis essay is an important skill for any student

This step-by-step guide outlines the entire process, from understanding the assignment to formatting your final essay. Follow these tips to craft a strong synthesis essay that earns top marks.

What is a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay prompts you to make connections between multiple sources and develop an informed position on a topic. You analyze and evaluate source material to establish links between them.

Your goal is to combine elements from different texts to create a cohesive viewpoint that supports your thesis. A strong synthesis essay both informs and persuades the reader.

Common prompts for a synthesis essay include:

• Evaluate multiple perspectives on the causes of poverty. Establish your position based on the evidence.

• Analyze the arguments for and against standardized testing. Develop your viewpoint on which side is more persuasive.

• Compare and contrast the impacts of social media on mental health based on the given studies. Establish your stance.

Let’s look at the steps to take when writing an effective synthesis essay.

Step 1: Understand the Assignment

Always start by carefully reading the essay prompt or guidelines. Ask yourself key questions:

• What am I being asked to write about?
• What sources am I expected to use? Are they provided or do I find my own?
• What position do I need to take on the topic?
• What criteria are required for my synthesis essay?

Fully understanding the assignment from the outset will ensure your approach hits all requirements.

Step 2: Read and Analyze Source Materials

Now it’s time to deep dive into research. As you read and analyze source documents, keep these tips in mind:

• Take detailed notes on each source’s key arguments, evidence, methodologies, and perspectives. This gives you materials to draw from later.

• Look for relationships between sources like similarities, differences, overlaps, and contradictions. These become the basis for synthesis.

• Consider the credibility of each source. Determine any biases that may influence the author’s perspective.

• Identify particularly strong quotes, statistics, and examples that back up claims in each source. You may be able to utilize these in your essay.

Thoroughly dissecting sources provides the raw materials to bring together under your central thesis.

Step 3: Form Your Thesis

Your synthesis thesis establishes the position you will argue based on the sources provided. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to say about this topic by combining source perspectives?
• What position can I take that allows me to integrate multiple viewpoints into one argument?

Let your thesis act as the connecting thread that ties all your evidence together. A good thesis often identifies opposites or contrasts in perspective that can be reconciled under a larger argument.

Step 4: Create an Outline

A strong outline sets you up to write a coherent, well-structured essay. Include the following elements:

• Introduction – Attention-grabbing opening, background context, thesis statement

• Body paragraphs – Topic sentence, evidence from sources, analysis and synthesis, transitional sentences between points

• Conclusion – Restate thesis, summarize main points, implications of argument

Grouping related ideas into organized sections helps your writing flow logically from one point to the next.

Step 5: Write Your First Draft

With your outline as a guide, it’s time to start writing. Follow these steps for an effective first draft:

• Grab attention quickly – Open with an interesting fact, statistic, or quote relevant to your topic.

• Provide background context – Give readers necessary details to understand the scope of the issue.

• Introduce source materials – Name the authors and overviews of sources you will synthesize.

• State your thesis – Present your main argument or position on the topic clearly and concisely. This sets the stage for your synthesis.

• Synthesize source evidence – Merge perspectives from sources to support your thesis. Use quotes, examples, and data as evidence.

• Analyze relationships between sources – Compare and contrast viewpoints, recognize contradictions, identify gaps.

• Connect evidence back to your thesis – Frequently reiterate how each point relates back to your main argument.

• Check against your outline – Verify you covered all the points and structure planned in your outline.

Step 6: Refine Your Draft

Set your initial draft aside for at least a day. This allows you to come back to it with fresh eyes. In your second draft:

• Check if thesis is clear and consistent – Make sure your main argument stands out and ties the essay together.

• Ensure synthesis remains a focus – Don’t just summarize sources. Combine them to strengthen your position.

• Improve cohesion between sections – Make sure transitions connect paragraphs together logically.

• Avoid plagiarism – Use proper citations when quoting or paraphrasing source materials.

• Check for grammar, spelling, punctuation issues – Correct any errors that detract from readability.

Refine and tighten your language with each draft. Have a peer review and offer feedback before your final version.

Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

With your synthesis essay draft polished, wrap up with these finishing touches:

• Write your introduction and conclusion – Craft compelling opening and closing sections that draw readers in and leave a lasting impact.

• Format correctly – Double check you formatted document, in-text citations, and reference page according to assignment guidelines.

• Include proper citations – Credit any quotes, paraphrases, and content from sources using required academic citation style.

• Proofread one final time – Fix lingering writing, grammar, spelling errors difficult to catch yourself.

• Read essay out loud – Identify awkward phrasing that should get smoothed out.

With these final touches, your synthesis essay is ready for submission!

Synthesis Essay Examples

Reading examples helps you better understand synthesis essay structure and content.

This synthesis essay sample argues mandatory vaccination is necessary by combining perspectives from multiple public health sources.

This essay example synthesizes Robert Darnton’s analysis of the Kiss of Lamourette and evidence from other historians to argue its significance.

When reading examples, take note of how the writer:

• Establishes a clear position that reconciles multiple perspectives
• Weaves together evidence from different sources
• Analyzes relationships between source materials
• Crafts cohesive topic sentences and transitions

Let high-quality synthesis essay examples guide your own writing.

Bringing It All Together

Writing an effective synthesis essay requires you to analyze sources, establish links between them, and use that understanding to support a thesis.

Follow the step-by-step process:

• Fully understand your assignment guidelines
• Thoroughly read and analyze source materials
• Establish your position on the topic
• Create an in-depth outline
• Write a draft while synthesizing source evidence
• Refine your work through multiple drafts
• Add powerful introduction and conclusion sections
• Implement finishing touches like formatting and citations

With time and practice, your ability to write engaging synthesis essays will grow. Lean on the guide above to take your skills to the next level.