Synthesis essays are a staple in academic writing. They’re not simply one more task tossed your direction — they’re a genuine open door to showcase your capacity to organize information from various sources and present it strongly and enticingly.
They push you to think fundamentally, to see connections among thoughts, and to make a balanced contention. In a nutshell, mastering the synthesis essay is a skill that can help you write better and think more critically.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about mastering the synthesis essay. We’ll start by learning what it is, and then we’ll talk about how to write, prepare, and polish your essay. We’ll likewise cover common entanglements to stay away from, so you can feel certain the next time you tackle a synthesis essay.
Understanding the Synthesis Essay
For starters, what exactly is a synthesis essay? At its core, a synthesis essay is the combination of information from various sources to make an unmistakable and clear contention or clarification. You’re not simply rehashing what others have said; You are combining these concepts to support your viewpoint.
The synthesis essay comes in two structures: explanatory and argumentative essays. Explanatory synthesis are explored, enlightening, balanced/wide, and have a goal/unprejudiced tone. When the objective of the writing task is to provide objective information rather than to critique or make a claim, you should write an explanatory synthesis essay. Argumentative synthesis essays are likewise explored, instructive, balanced/expansive, yet pose a reasonable viewpoint/guarantee. Write an argumentative synthesis essay when the objective of the essay is to make a case, not just illuminate.
For what reason do instructors assign synthesis essays?
They need to understand how well you can investigate various perspectives, interface thoughts, and present a balanced contention. It’s a method for testing your decisive reasoning and composing abilities, across the assignment. Understanding these rudiments will set the establishment for mastering the synthesis essay, making the process smoother and more reasonable.
Preparing to Write
You need to get ready before you start writing. To begin with, you need to first examine the assignment brief. What precisely is it requesting that you do? Separate it and distinguish the key terms. Understanding the brief is pivotal because it directs your whole synthesis essay.
Then, select your sources cautiously. Find reliable resources that directly back up your thesis. You need sources that are dependable, significant, and sufficiently revised to give you a balanced point of view.
Next, we should discuss your synthesis essay thesis statement. Your essay is built on this foundation. Make sure it’s understood, succinct, and straightforwardly answers the brief. Spend some time perfecting your thesis because it should guide everything you write.
Also, don’t skirt the essay outline. Illustrating your exposition before you begin composing assists you with sorting out your viewpoints and guarantees your paper has a legitimate flow. When you have a clear idea of where you want to go, writing becomes much simpler.
Writing the Synthesis Essay
Your introduction is essential when it comes time to begin writing. Start with a hook that gets the attention of your reader. Then, at that point, give background information to make way for your contention. Last but not least, wrap up your introduction with a strong thesis statement that makes it clear what your main point is.
For your body passages, the structure is also essential. With a concise topic sentence that relates to your thesis, begin each paragraph. Then, at that point, incorporate your sources flawlessly by mixing statements, rewording, and summing up. Check to see that each source directly supports your argument.
Although it’s important to provide the right evidence, how you organize the evidence matters a lot. You can use the author’s quotes, still we will recommend that you explain how it’s important to your essay. So don’t just use quotes, make sure it connects.
Lastly, transitioning from one thought to another can also aid your essay’s paragraph flow, making it easier for your audience to comprehend the information you’re trying to pass across.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
There are times when you may get carried away overloading your essay with information from different sources as you feel it might help your essay. Be that as it may, having more information isn’t always the best bet – make sure to select your sources properly by only focusing on the ones that support your essay.
A weak thesis is another common problem. An obscure or expansive postulation can cause your whole paper to feel dissipated. To stay away from this, ensure your thesis is solid, explicit, and straightforwardly answers the brief. Your argument is solidly supported by a clear thesis.
Finally, a bad mix of sources can debilitate your paper. Dropping in statements without clarification also won’t cut it. Always make a connection between the source material and your thesis to seamlessly incorporate it. Show that you are in charge of your sources and not the other way around by explaining how each piece of evidence backs up your argument.
Revising and Editing
The draft is just the first thing you need to get that. After completing that, you should move on to self-review. Start by ensuring that your essay is consistent with your thesis statement. Do your sources support your arguments sufficiently? If otherwise, change those sources with the ones that do and refine your sections accordingly.
The next step is to submit your essay for peer review. This peer-review can help provide valuable insight that you might have missed like typographical errors or blunders or even suggestions to make the essay better.
Finally, as your peers comment on the errors, make sure to take note of it and polish your essay for the last time. This final stage is the ideal time to clean your essay and catch any errors that you or they may have missed. Make sure you check for grammar, and spelling, among other things. The fewer errors you see, the more flawless your essay will flow as your readers read it.
So there you have it…
Ways to master the synthesis essay. We hope that this article helps you build the confidence and knowledge to write one of the best synthesis essays your instructor has ever read.