argumentative synthesis paper

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A guide to writing an argument synthesis essay, rachel r.n..

February 20, 2024
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A guide to writing an argument synthesis essay 1

What You'll Learn

Introduction

An argument synthesis essay is a critical piece of writing that requires students to analyze and synthesize information from various sources to develop a coherent argument. This type of essay demands a careful examination of multiple perspectives on a given topic and the integration of these viewpoints to construct a well-supported argument. To successfully navigate the intricacies of an argument synthesis essay, one must follow a systematic approach that encompasses thorough research, thoughtful analysis, and effective synthesis.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

Thesis Formation

The first step in crafting an argument synthesis essay is formulating a clear and concise thesis statement. The thesis serves as the central claim of the essay and should articulate the main point or argument that the writer aims to convey. To create an effective thesis, it is essential to identify the key themes and patterns within the selected sources and determine the overarching message that will guide the essay’s development.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

Research and Source Selection

Conducting comprehensive research is fundamental to the success of an argument synthesis essay. Students should explore a range of reputable sources, including academic articles, books, and credible online resources. The selected sources should offer diverse perspectives on the chosen topic, allowing for a nuanced and well-rounded understanding. Evaluating the reliability, relevance, and credibility of each source is crucial to ensure the strength of the synthesis.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

Source Annotation and Analysis

After gathering the necessary sources, it is essential to annotate and analyze each one thoroughly. Annotation involves summarizing the main ideas, identifying key arguments, and noting relevant evidence within each source. Concurrently, critical analysis should assess the credibility of the author, evaluate the intended audience, and identify any potential biases. Understanding the context and purpose of each source lays the foundation for a comprehensive synthesis.

Organizing the Essay

A well-organized structure is pivotal to the success of an argument synthesis essay. The essay typically follows a three-part structure – introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should provide background information on the topic, present the thesis statement, and outline the scope of the synthesis. The body paragraphs should each focus on a specific aspect of the synthesis, presenting evidence from the sources and showcasing the writer’s analytical skills. Finally, the conclusion should summarize the key points, restate the thesis, and offer insights into the broader implications of the synthesized argument.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

Synthesis of Information

The heart of an argument synthesis essay lies in the synthesis of information from the various sources. Rather than presenting a mere compilation of individual ideas, the writer must strive to create a coherent narrative that weaves together different perspectives to support the thesis. Effective synthesis involves identifying commonalities and contradictions among the sources, highlighting the relationships between ideas, and showcasing the evolution of the argument throughout the essay.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

Incorporating Counterarguments

A compelling argument synthesis essay acknowledges and addresses counterarguments. By integrating opposing viewpoints, the writer demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the topic and reinforces the strength of their own argument. This not only adds depth to the synthesis but also showcases the writer’s ability to critically engage with diverse perspectives.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

In conclusion, writing an argument synthesis essay is a multifaceted process that demands careful research, critical analysis, and skillful synthesis of information. By following a systematic approach, from thesis formation to source selection, annotation, and organization, writers can create a compelling and well-supported argument synthesis essay. Emphasizing the importance of thorough research, critical thinking, and effective communication, this guide provides a framework for success in mastering the art of argument synthesis.(A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay)

Latifi, S., Noroozi, O., & Talaee, E. (2023). Worked example or scripting? Fostering students’ online argumentative peer feedback, essay writing and learning. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(2), 655-669. https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=q5q2mN8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra

Noroozi, O., Hatami, J., Bayat, A., Van Ginkel, S., Biemans, H. J., & Mulder, M. (2020). Students’ online argumentative peer feedback, essay writing, and content learning: Does gender matter?. Interactive Learning Environments , 28 (6), 698-712. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10494820.2018.1543200

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How to Write a Synthesis Essay: Your Guide From Start to Finish

Today, we're swamped with information, like reading 174 newspapers every day. It comes from all over—news, social media, science, and more. This flood might make you feel overwhelmed and lost in a sea of facts and opinions. But being able to make sense of it all is crucial.

This guide isn't just about handling all that info; it's about using it to write awesome essays. We'll show you step by step how to pick a topic and organize your essay. Let's dive in and learn how to turn scattered facts into powerful essays that really stand out.

What Is a Synthesis Essay

The synthesis essay is a powerful tool in writing. It's not just about gathering facts but about connecting them to make a clear and strong argument.

Writing a synthesis essay allows you to dive deep into ideas. You have to find similarities between different sources—like articles, studies, or arguments—and use them to tell a convincing story.

In today's world, where we're bombarded with information, synthesis essays are more important than ever. They let us explore how different ideas fit together and help us express our thoughts on complex topics. Whether you're writing about literature, science, history, or current events, a synthesis essay shows off your ability to analyze and understand a topic from all angles. And if you're struggling with this task, just ask us to ' write paper for me ,' and we'll handle your assignment for you.

Explanatory vs. Argumentative Synthesis Essays

In synthesis writing, there are two main types: explanatory and argumentative. Understanding these categories is key because they shape how you approach your essay.

Explanatory:

An explanatory synthesis essay does just what it says—it explains. These essays aim to give a balanced view of a topic by gathering information from different sources and presenting it clearly. They don't try to persuade; instead, they focus on providing information and making things easier to understand. They're like comprehensive summaries, breaking down complex ideas for a broader audience. These essays rely heavily on facts and expert opinions, avoiding personal bias.

Argumentative:

On the flip side, argumentative synthesis essays are all about persuasion. Their main goal is to take a stance on an issue and convince the reader. They gather information from various sources not only to present different views but also to build a strong argument. Argumentative essays aim to sway the reader's opinion by using gathered information as evidence. These essays express opinions and use rhetorical strategies to persuade.

And if you're keen on knowing how to write an informative essay , we've got you covered on that, too!

Synthesis Essay Structure

To craft a strong synthesis essay, you need a solid foundation. Here's a structured approach to help you nail it:

Introductory Paragraph:

To kick things off, grab your reader's attention with a catchy hook or interesting fact. Give a bit of background info about your topic and the sources you'll be using, as it can help readers understand your topic better! Then, lay out your main argument in a clear thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs:

Each paragraph should focus on a different aspect of your topic or source. Start with a topic sentence that links back to your thesis. Introduce the source you're discussing and highlight its main points. Also, using quotes, paraphrases, or summaries from your sources can make your arguments stronger.

Synthesis :

This part is where your essay comes together. Look for common themes or differences among your sources. Use your analysis to build a strong argument. Don't forget to address any opposing viewpoints if they're relevant!

Conclusion :

Wrap things up by restating your thesis and summarizing your main points. Explain why your argument is important and what it means in the bigger picture. End with a thought-provoking statement to leave a lasting impression.

References :

Finally, don't forget to list all your sources properly using the right citation style, like MLA or APA. Do you know that different citation styles have different rules? So, make sure you follow the right one!

Choosing a Synthesis Essay Topic

Picking essay topics is just the beginning. To write a great synthesis essay, you need to carefully evaluate and connect different sources to build a strong argument or viewpoint. Here's a step-by-step infographic guide to help you choose the right synthesis essay topics wisely.

How to Write a Synthesis Essay with Easy Steps

Writing a synthesis essay is similar to a compare and contrast essay . It requires a methodical approach to blend information from different sources into a strong and persuasive argument. Here are some crucial steps and tips to help you along the way.

Clarify Your Purpose: First, decide if you're writing an explanatory or argumentative synthesis essay. This choice will set the tone and direction for your essay.
Source Selection and Analysis: Choose credible and relevant sources for your topic, balancing different types like articles, books, and websites. Analyze each source carefully, noting the main ideas and evidence presented.
Formulate a Strong Thesis Statement: Create a clear and concise thesis statement that guides your essay. It should express your main argument or perspective.
Structure Your Essay: Organize your essay with a clear synthesis essay outline, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your topic.
Employ Effective Transition Sentences: Use transition sentences to connect your ideas and paragraphs smoothly, ensuring a cohesive flow in your essay.
Synthesize Information: Blend information from your sources within your paragraphs. Discuss how each source contributes to your thesis and highlight common themes or differences.
Avoid Simple Summarization: Don't just summarize your sources—analyze them critically and use them to build your argument.
Address Counterarguments (if applicable): Acknowledge opposing viewpoints and counter them with well-supported arguments, showing a deep understanding of the topic.
Craft a Resolute Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in the conclusion. Emphasize the importance of your argument or insights, and end with a thought-provoking statement or call to action. ‍
Revise and Proofread: Check your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar mistakes. Ensure your citations are correct and follow the chosen citation style, like MLA or APA.

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Synthesis Essay Format

Choosing the right citation style can enhance the credibility and professionalism of your paper. The format of your synthesis paper depends on the specific guidelines given by your instructor. They usually fall into one of the popular styles: MLA, APA, or Chicago, each used in different academic fields.

1. MLA (Modern Language Association):

Uses in-text citations with the author's last name and page number.
Includes a 'Works Cited' page at the end listing all sources.
Focuses on the author and publication date.
Often used in humanities essays, research papers, and literary analyses.

2. APA (American Psychological Association):

Uses in-text citations with the author's last name and publication date in parentheses.
Includes a 'References' page listing all sources alphabetically.
Emphasizes the publication date and scientific precision.
Commonly used in research papers, scholarly articles, and scientific studies.

3. Chicago Style:

Offers two documentation styles: Notes-Bibliography and Author-Date.
Notes-Bibliography uses footnotes or endnotes for citations, while Author-Date uses in-text citations with a reference list.
Suitable for various academic writing, including research papers and historical studies.
Provides flexibility in formatting and citation methods, making it adaptable to different disciplines.

Synthesis Essay Example

Here are two examples of synthesis essays that demonstrate how to apply the synthesis process in real life. They explore interesting topics and offer practical guidance for mastering the art of writing this type of paper.

Synthesis Essay Tips

Crafting a strong synthesis essay requires careful planning and effective techniques. Here are five essential tips to help you write your best paper:

Diverse Source Selection : Choose a range of reliable sources that offer different viewpoints on your topic. Make sure they're recent and relevant to your subject.
Seamless Source Integration : Avoid just summarizing your sources. Instead, blend them into your essay by analyzing and comparing their ideas. Show how they connect to build your argument.
Balanced Tone : Maintain an impartial tone in your writing, even if you have personal opinions. Synthesis essays require objectivity, so they present different viewpoints without bias.
Focus on Synthesis : Remember, synthesis essays are about linking ideas, not just summarizing sources. Explore how your sources relate to each other to create a cohesive argument.
Address Counterarguments : Like in persuasive essays topics , acknowledge opposing viewpoints and explain why your perspective is stronger. This demonstrates your understanding of the topic and adds depth to your argument.

Concluding Thoughts

When writing a synthesis essay, it's essential to pick trustworthy sources, blend them effectively to build your argument and stay objective. Use smooth transitions, address counterarguments thoughtfully, and focus on analyzing rather than just summarizing. By following these steps, you'll create essays that inform, persuade, and engage your readers!

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How Should You Conclude a Synthesis Essay?

5.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis

Svetlana Zhuravlova

In academic research and writing, synthesizing of the information from the obtained available resources results in novelty, discovery, reaching to the common sense on a debatable issue, clarifying the perplexity of the subject under the discussion,or making the point on a controversial topic. Your rhetorical goal for writing a synthesis essay will be identified by the given assignment. In your First-Year Writing courses, you may write an Informative/Explanatory Synthesis and/or an Argumentative Synthesis.

What is an Informative/Explanatory Synthesisis?

In informative writing, you are explaining the discussion points and topics to your readers without taking a position of one side or another, without showing your opinion. Even if the topic is debatable and highly controversial, instead of promoting your personal opinion, you have to objectively introduce the ideas of others, explain and show how their information is related to each other’s, how the information may connect and diverge. You are not showing your agreement with some authors and disagreement with the others. You should stay neutral both in your comments on the found information and in your conclusions reached at the end of the discussion.

Organize the discussion among the authors of your sources as was explained in Section 5.2 under “How do You Synthesize? “

Example: Numerous authors wonder if this is a natural progression over time because of the laws that have changed or a shift in ideals that redefine what free speech is supposed to be… Author N believes that [free speech] is not controlled enough in the interest of the people, while Authors B and D believe that, in an ideal world, opinions would be formed and spoken without repercussion and merely be a part of language…

At the end of the discussion, draw your neutral conclusion on the topic:

Example: The question if speech has become limited, affecting the right to freedom of speech, lies in the hands of the people and the justice system itself.

Additional examples for Explanatory Synthesis here

What is an Argumentative Synthesis?

Everything you learned about Argumentative Writing in chapters of this textbook is true and valid for writing an Argumentative Synthesis. The main difference may be that you are to support your ideas with evidence found in multiple sources, show and explain how the authors’ opinions relate, who of your authors agree and who disagree on the controversial issue, while your comments on the information retrieved from these sources and your conclusions will clarify your own position in the debate.

First, you start the debate with the assertion that sets the goal for the debate, its controversy:

Example: Societal changes are a large part in the debate of free speech and its limitations . The debate is about whether offensive speech should be punished when it is said with the intent to psychologically harm a group or person, or if immoral or scandalous speech should be off-limits.

Then, you are moderating the debate among the experts

Professor of Law E disagrees…
His thought is echoed by Professor R from the University of …
Authors F and S also discuss and assess…
Following in their steps, Authors D and T express…
Unfortunately, in opposition to their respect, Author X asserts that…
This brings us back to the view point of Authors F and S, who argue that…

Finally, conclude the discussion and finalize your position:

Thus, hateful and immoral speech – which typically associates itself with low-value because of harmful words – will continue to find its limitations in the world even if it is not through government operations…

When you synthesize, you are a part of the discussion and a leader of the discussion that you have initiated. You are introducing the voices and ideas of others, so you should be flexible and fair to all participating authors. You should avoid personal attack, as well as other logical fallacies in your comments on the information borrowed from your source materials. Read more in 6.5 Logical Fallacies

A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing by Svetlana Zhuravlova is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Capstone Form and Style

Evidence-based arguments: synthesis, paraphrasing and synthesis.

Synthesis is important in scholarly writing as it is the combination of ideas on a given topic or subject area. Synthesis is different from summary. Summary consists of a brief description of one idea, piece of text, etc. Synthesis involves combining ideas together.

Summary: Overview of important general information in your own words and sentence structure. Paraphrase: Articulation of a specific passage or idea in your own words and sentence structure. Synthesis: New interpretation of summarized or paraphrased details in your own words and sentence structure.

In the capstone, writers should aim for synthesis in all areas of the document, especially the literature review. Synthesis combines paraphrased information, where the writer presents information from multiple sources. Synthesis demonstrates scholarship; it demonstrates an understanding of the literature and information, as well as the writer’s ability to connect ideas and develop an argument.

Example Paraphrase

From allan and zed (2012, p. 195).

Supervision, one practice in transactional leadership theory, is especially effective for small business owners. Improved retention not only contributes to an efficient workplace, but it promotes local commercial stability and cultural unity. Other management styles informed by transactional theory can also benefit communities.

Sample Paraphrase

Allan and Zed (2012) noted that supervision and other transactional leadership strategies provide advantages for small business owners and their surrounding communities.

This paraphrase DOES:

include the main idea,
summarize the key information using fewer words than the original text, and
include a citation to credit the source.

Synthesis Language

Synthesis is achieved by comparing and contrasting paraphrased information on a given topic. Discussions of the literature should be focused not on study-by-study summaries (see the Creating a Literature Review Outline SMRTguide). Writers should begin by using comparison language (indicated in bold and highlighted text in the examples below) to combine ideas on a given topic:

Keller (2012) found that X occurred. Likewise, Daal (2013) found that X occurred but also noted that the effects of X differed from those suggested by Keller (2012).
Schwester (2013) reported results consistent with findings in Hill’s (2011) and Yao’s (2012) studies.
Although Mehmad (2012) suggested X, O’Donnell (2013) recommended a different approach.

Again, the focus of synthesis is to combine ideas on a given topic and for the writer to use that to review the existing literature or support an overall argument (i.e., in the problem statement, rationale and justification for the method, etc.).

For more information and examples on synthesis, paragraph structure, and the MEAL Plan strategy for writing review additional Form and Style resources:

SMRTguide on Reverse Outlining and the MEAL Plan
SMRTguide on Prioritizing Parenthetical Citations
Reading to Write
Previous Page: Quoting
Next Page: MEAL Plan
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27 How do I Write a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay is a type of essay that gathers information from a variety of sources to form a new idea, question, or argumentative thesis. Writers composing a synthesis essay will discuss ideas, data, and evidence from a series of sources to either explain or argue something original.

Explanatory vs. Argumentative Synthesis Essays: How Are They Different?

Though the formatting is largely the same, there are two main types of synthesis essays: explanatory and argumentative.

1. Explanatory : The purpose of an explanatory synthesis essay is to use different sources to explain a particular point of view. These synthesis papers objectively examine the similarities and differences between ideas but don’t necessarily choose a side or attempt to sway the reader in any direction.
2. Argumentative : An argumentative synthesis essay follows the same structure as a typical argumentative essay. The thesis of an argumentative essay will argue one specific point.

Synthesis Essay Structure

Synthesis essays typically adhere to the five-paragraph essay structure, but there are slight nuances to structuring this type of essay. Here is how a synthesis essay is structured.

Introduction : The foundational ideas of your essay are expressed in the introductory paragraph. You will address the general landscape of ideas around your topic, introducing some of your sources. You will also introduce the argument to be made through a thesis statement, which succinctly states your primary argument in a sentence or two. The thesis statement typically comes at the very end of your introductory paragraph.
Body : The body of your synthesis essay is usually about three paragraphs long. This typically includes two paragraphs synthesizing your sources in a way that supports your argument, and one paragraph that acknowledges opposing arguments.
Conclusion : The conclusion of your synthesis essay reiterates the argument that you’ve made throughout your essay. It may emphasize how each of the points you made and the sources you’ve cited substantiate your point.

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

A great synthesis essay walks readers through a series of ideas and sources to prove or explain a larger point.

Follow this step-by-step guide for writing your essay:

Choose a topic you’re curious about . Brainstorm a few ideas for your synthesis essay topic, prioritizing the subjects you feel passionate about.
Do your research . Once you’ve decided on a topic, use the internet, library, and other sources to perform extensive research. You can turn to academic primary sources to find quotes from scholars and experts, or look up statistics or scientific studies relevant to your topic. This research will help you develop a point of view that is backed up by concrete information. Use credible sources that are unbiased.
Outline your point . Your entire essay should focus on either explaining a certain perspective or making an argument. Outline how each of your sources relates to your theme and support your idea.
Write your introduction . An introduction is the first paragraph of a paper. Its main purpose is to present the general premise of the paper, provide any necessary background information, and hopefully, capture the reader’s attention. The introductory paragraph to your synthesis essay should be where you include a strong thesis statement. This is where you will state the point of view that you’re exploring or the argument you’re making.
Include your body paragraphs . Synthesis essays will typically contain three body paragraphs. A good body paragraph contains three main sections: a topic sentence (or key sentence), relevant supporting sentences, and a closing (or transition)
sentence. This structure keeps your paragraph focused on the main idea, providing clear, concise information. Each body paragraph should discuss different elements and supporting arguments of your thesis, along with evidence drawn from each source. Explain the common theme between your resources, as well as how they are relevant to your text. Include counterarguments as well as how your source material can discredit those claims and support your own idea.
Wrap it up with a strong conclusion . A conclusion is a final piece of writing in a research paper, essay, or article that summarizes the entire work. The concluding paragraph of your synthesis essay will restate your thesis, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the work, and offer your final impression of the central idea.
Proofread . Always proofread your writing a few times before submitting or presenting it. A few missed words or grammatical errors can sometimes change or discredit the entire crux of an argument or opinion. Make sure that your grammar, syntax, and flow are as accurate and clear as possible. This will help you come across as a credible source.

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What is the ap lang synthesis essay, how will ap scores affect my college chances.

AP English Language and Composition, commonly known as AP Lang, is one of the most engaging and popular AP classes offered at most high schools, with over 535,000 students taking the class . AP Lang tests your ability to analyze written pieces, synthesize information, write rhetorical essays, and create cohesive and concrete arguments. However, the class is rather challenging as only 62% of students were able to score a three or higher on the exam.

The AP Lang exam has two sections. The first consists of 45 multiple choice questions which need to be completed in an hour. This portion counts for around 45% of your total score. These questions ask students to analyze written pieces and answer questions related to each respective passage. All possible answer choices can be found within the text, and no prior knowledge of literature is needed to understand the passages.

The second section contains three free-response questions to be finished in under two hours and 15 minutes. This section counts for 55% of your score and includes the synthesis essay, the rhetorical essay, and the argumentative essay.

The synthesis essay requires you to read 6-7 sources and create an argument using at least three sources.
The rhetorical analysis essay requires you to describe how a piece of writing evokes specific meanings and symbolism.
The argumentative essay requires you to pick a perspective of a debate and create an argument based on the evidence provided.

In this post, we will take a look at the AP Lang synthesis essay and discuss tips and tricks to master this part of the exam. We will also provide an example of a well-written essay for review.

The AP Lang synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the Free Response section of the AP Lang exam. The exam presents 6-7 sources that are organized around a specific topic, with two of those sources purely visual, including a single quantitative source (like a graph or pie chart). The remaining 4-5 sources are text-based, containing around 500 words each. It’s recommended that students spend an hour on this essay—15 minute reading period, 40 minutes writing, and 5 minutes of spare time to check over work.

Each synthesis essay has a topic that all the sources will relate to. A prompt will explaining the topic and provide some background, although the topics are usually broad so you will probably know something related to the issue. It will also present a claim that students will respond to in an essay format using information from at least three of the provided sources. You will need to take a stance, either agreeing or disagreeing with the position provided in the claim.

According to the CollegeBoard, they are looking for essays that “combine different perspectives from sources to form a support of a coherent position.” This means that you must state your claim on the topic and highlight relationships between several sources that support your specific position on the topic. Additionally, you’ll need to cite clear evidence from your sources to prove your point.

The synthesis essay counts for six points on the AP Lang exam. Students can receive 0-1 points for writing a thesis statement, 0-4 based on the incorporation of evidence and commentary, and 0-1 points based on the sophistication of thought and demonstration of complex understanding.

While this essay seems extremely overwhelming, considering there are a total of three free-response essays to complete, with proper time management and practiced skills, this essay is manageable and straightforward. In order to enhance the time management aspect of the test to the best of your ability, it is essential to divide the essay up into five key steps.

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt

As soon as the clock starts, carefully read and analyze what the prompt asks from you. It might be helpful to markup the text to identify the most critical details. You should only spend around 2 minutes reading the prompt so you have enough time to read all the sources and figure out your argument. Don’t feel like you need to immediately pick your stance on the claim right after reading the prompt. You should read the sources before you commit to your argument.

Step 2: Read the Sources Carefully

Although you are only required to use 3 of the 6-7 sources provides, make sure you read ALL of the sources. This will allow you to better understand the topic and make the most educated decision of which sources to use in your essay. Since there are a lot of sources to get through, you will need to read quickly and carefully.

Annotating will be your best friend during the reading period. Highlight and mark important concepts or lines from each passage that would be helpful in your essay. Your argument will probably begin forming in your head as you go through the passages, so you will save yourself a lot of time later on if you take a few seconds to write down notes in the margins. After you’ve finished reading a source, reflect on whether the source defends, challenges, or qualifies your argument.

You will have around 13 minutes to read through all the sources, but it’s very possible you will finish earlier if you are a fast reader. Take the leftover time to start developing your thesis and organizing your thoughts into an outline so you have more time to write.

Step 3: Write a Strong Thesis Statement

In order to write a good thesis statement, all you have to do is decide your stance on the claim provided in the prompt and give an overview of your evidence. You essentially have three choices on how to frame your thesis statement: You can defend, challenge or qualify a claim that’s been provided by the prompt.

If you are defending the claim, your job will be to prove that the claim is correct .
If you are challenging the claim, your job will be to prove that the claim is incorrect .
If you choose to qualify the claim, your job will be to agree to a part of the claim and disagree with another part of the claim.

A strong thesis statement will clearly state your stance without summarizing the issue or regurgitating the claim. The CollegeBoard is looking for a thesis statement that “states a defensible position and establishes a line of reasoning on the issue provided in the prompt.”

Step 4: Create a Minimal Essay Outline

Developing an outline might seem like a waste of time when you are up against the clock, but believe us, taking 5-10 minutes to outline your essay will be much more useful in the long run than jumping right into the essay.

Your outline should include your thesis statement and three main pieces of evidence that will constitute each body paragraph. Under each piece of evidence should be 2-3 details from the sources that you will use to back up your claim and some commentary on how that evidence proves your thesis.

Step 5: Write your Essay

Use the remaining 30-35 minutes to write your essay. This should be relatively easy if you took the time to mark up the sources and have a detailed outline. Remember to add special consideration and emphasis to the commentary sections of the supporting arguments outlined in your thesis. These sentences are critical to the overall flow of the essay and where you will be explaining how the evidence supports or undermines the claim in the prompt.

Also, when referencing your sources, write the in-text citations as follows: “Source 1,” “Source 2,” “Source 3,” etc. Make sure to pay attention to which source is which in order to not incorrectly cite your sources. In-text citations will impact your score on the essay and are an integral part of the process.

After you finish writing, read through your essay for any grammatical errors or mistakes before you move onto the next essay.

Here are six must-have tips and tricks to get a good score on the synthesis essay:

Cite at least four sources , even though the minimum requirement is three. Remember not to plagiarize and cite everything you use in your arguments.
Make sure to develop a solid and clear thesis . Develop a stable stance for the claim and stick with it throughout the entire paper.
Don’t summarize the sources. The summary of the sources does not count as an argument.
You don’t necessarily have to agree with the sources in order to cite them. Using a source to support a counterargument is still a good use of a source.
Cite the sources that you understand entirely . If you don’t, it could come back to bite you in the end.
Use small quotes , do not quote entire paragraphs. Make sure the quote does not disrupt the flow or grammar of the sentence you write.

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Here is an example prompt and essay from 2019 that received 5 of the 6 total points available:

In response to our society’s increasing demand for energy, large-scale wind power has drawn attention from governments and consumers as a potential alternative to traditional materials that fuel our power grids, such as coal, oil, natural gas, water, or even newer sources such as nuclear or solar power. Yet the establishment of large-scale, commercial-grade wind farms is often the subject of controversy for a variety of reasons.

Carefully read the six sources, found on the AP English Language and Composition 2019 Exam (Question 1), including the introductory information for each source. Write an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources and develops your position on the most important factors that an individual or agency should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm.

Source A (photo)

Source B (Layton)

Source C (Seltenrich)

Source D (Brown)

Source E (Rule)

Source F (Molla)

In your response you should do the following:

Respond to the prompt with a thesis presents a defensible position.
Select and use evidence from at least 3 of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses.
Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

[1] The situation has been known for years, and still very little is being done: alternative power is the only way to reliably power the changing world. The draw of power coming from industry and private life is overwhelming current sources of non-renewable power, and with dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, it is merely a matter of time before coal and gas fuel plants are no longer in operation. So one viable alternative is wind power. But as with all things, there are pros and cons. The main factors for power companies to consider when building wind farms are environmental boon, aesthetic, and economic factors.

[2] The environmental benefits of using wind power are well-known and proven. Wind power is, as qualified by Source B, undeniably clean and renewable. From their production requiring very little in the way of dangerous materials to their lack of fuel, besides that which occurs naturally, wind power is by far one of the least environmentally impactful sources of power available. In addition, wind power by way of gearbox and advanced blade materials, has the highest percentage of energy retention. According to Source F, wind power retains 1,164% of the energy put into the system – meaning that it increases the energy converted from fuel (wind) to electricity 10 times! No other method of electricity production is even half that efficient. The efficiency and clean nature of wind power are important to consider, especially because they contribute back to power companies economically.

[3] Economically, wind power is both a boon and a bone to electric companies and other users. For consumers, wind power is very cheap, leading to lower bills than from any other source. Consumers also get an indirect reimbursement by way of taxes (Source D). In one Texan town, McCamey, tax revenue increased 30% from a wind farm being erected in the town. This helps to finance improvements to the town. But, there is no doubt that wind power is also hurting the power companies. Although, as renewable power goes, wind is incredibly cheap, it is still significantly more expensive than fossil fuels. So, while it is helping to cut down on emissions, it costs electric companies more than traditional fossil fuel plants. While the general economic trend is positive, there are some setbacks which must be overcome before wind power can take over as truly more effective than fossil fuels.

[4] Aesthetics may be the greatest setback for power companies. Although there may be significant economic and environmental benefit to wind power, people will always fight to preserve pure, unspoiled land. Unfortunately, not much can be done to improve the visual aesthetics of the turbines. White paint is the most common choice because it “[is] associated with cleanliness.” (Source E). But, this can make it stand out like a sore thumb, and make the gargantuan machines seem more out of place. The site can also not be altered because it affects generating capacity. Sound is almost worse of a concern because it interrupts personal productivity by interrupting people’s sleep patterns. One thing for power companies to consider is working with turbine manufacturing to make the machines less aesthetically impactful, so as to garner greater public support.

[5] As with most things, wind power has no easy answer. It is the responsibility of the companies building them to weigh the benefits and the consequences. But, by balancing economics, efficiency, and aesthetics, power companies can create a solution which balances human impact with environmental preservation.

More examples can be found here at College Board.

While AP Scores help to boost your weighted GPA, or give you the option to get college credit, AP Scores don’t have a strong effect on your admissions chances . However, colleges can still see your self-reported scores, so you might not want to automatically send scores to colleges if they are lower than a 3. That being said, admissions officers care far more about your grade in an AP class than your score on the exam.

5.4: Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis

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What is an Informative/Explanatory Synthesis?

Organize the discussion among the authors of your sources as was explained in Section 5.2 under “How do You Synthesize? “

Example: Numerous authors wonder if this is a natural progression over time because of the laws that have changed or a shift in ideals that redefine what free speech is supposed to be… Author N believes that [free speech] is not controlled enough in the interest of the people, while Authors B and D believe that, in an ideal world, opinions would be formed and spoken without repercussion and merely be a part of language…

At the end of the discussion, draw your neutral conclusion on the topic:

Example: The question if speech has become limited, affecting the right to freedom of speech, lies in the hands of the people and the justice system itself.

Additional examples for Explanatory Synthesis here

What is an Argumentative Synthesis?

First, you start the debate with the assertion that sets the goal for the debate, its controversy:

Example: Societal changes are a large part in the debate of free speech and its limitations . The debate is about whether offensive speech should be punished when it is said with the intent to psychologically harm a group or person, or if immoral or scandalous speech should be off-limits.

Then, you are moderating the debate among the experts

Professor of Law E disagrees…
His thought is echoed by Professor R from the University of …
Authors F and S also discuss and assess…
Following in their steps, Authors D and T express…
Unfortunately, in opposition to their respect, Author X asserts that…
This brings us back to the view point of Authors F and S, who argue that…

Finally, conclude the discussion and finalize your position:

Thus, hateful and immoral speech – which typically associates itself with low-value because of harmful words – will continue to find its limitations in the world even if it is not through government operations…

“5.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis” is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 / A derivative from the original work by Svetlana Zhuravlova

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How to Write an Argument Synthesis Essay: a Step-by-Step Instruction

Table of Contents

Students at schools, colleges, and universities frequently receive a bunch of assignments to complete at home. Such home tasks come in various forms and types, aimed to test different academic skills and abilities. Thus, as soon as you receive a synthesis essay assignment, you should naturally start thinking of how to structure a synthesis essay and what to include in it.

No worries; we have you covered and have included everything you need to know about argument synthesis essay writing in this article.

Here you’ll find:

A detailed guide on how to write an argument thesis essay.
Several evergreen synthesis paper topics to use in different academic situations.
A universal, helpful synthesis outline template you can adjust to any topic.
A ton of valuable tips and step-by-step instructions for flawless argumentative writing.

Read on to impress your tutor and submit a bulletproof essay beating all academic standards.

Synthesis Essay Definition

Before dealing with how to write an argumentative thesis, we’ll clarify the concept of synthesis essay writing. This type of academic composition is distinct from other writing forms and should follow specific guidelines and instructions.

In a nutshell, a synthesis means incorporating several sources into your argument. In other words, you need to find various bits of academic evidence in the library sources, identify their key themes and ideas, and synthesize those ideas after identifying relationships between them.

For example, you can compare several theories on one subject to see what they have in common and how they approach that subject overall. Or you can analyze a concept from varying perspectives, such as, for instance, the analysis of social effects of a new proposed law from the viewpoint of various stakeholders.

Argument Synthesis Essay Outline

The question, “how to write an argument thesis essay,” should be answered by turning to outline first. An outline is an essential prewriting step that explains what significant points to include and how to structure the whole text.

Here is a sample outline for your synthesis essay.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction to the subject. Background facts and ideas. Thesis statement with significant points to be argued in the body of the paper.

BODY OF THE PAPER

Paragraph #1.

Topic sentence – what this paragraph is about. Supporting evidence from several sources. Your interpretation of those sources and a synthesis of what they share on the discussed point. A transition to the next paragraph.

Paragraph #2

Paragraph #3

Summary of your major arguments. Rephrased thesis statement. Reference the broader context of your paper’s topic and its implications for the study area you’ve examined.

How to Start a Synthesis Essay

How to write an argument thesis essay’s introduction? Let’s consider this point in detail as a good start is vital for effective, quick completion of an assignment.

After the outline is ready, you need to compose the introduction to an argument essay you’re writing. The major points it should include are the description of your broad context the key point you’ll argue (thesis). As a rule, the topic’s description should incorporate a broad introduction of the context and some basic coverage of the subject’s background. A thesis statement is usually at the end of the introductory paragraph, serving as the kernel of your essay and explaining what you’ll argue in the body of the paper.

The length of this part depends on your overall word count in the essay; small essays usually have only one introductory paragraph containing all these elements. Longer works can include several paragraphs or a standalone section introducing the subject.

What to Write About in an Argument Synthesis Essay

Now that you have completed the intro, it’s time to unfold each of the arguments mentioned in the thesis statement in the body of your paper.

So, how to write an argument synthesis essay’s central part? Here are some valuable tips to consider:

Structure your body by argument, not by source. Your primary aim is to show what various sources say about your subject and where their points coincide. Thus, you will present a genuinely synthetic viewpoint by eliciting several parallels on which the arguments meet each other.
Couple citations from sources with your own interpretation. Once you’ve found some coinciding viewpoints and organized your paragraphs around them, it’s also your task to explain to the readers what each of these points means, how significant this consensus is, and what it says about the broader context of your topic.
Never focus on one side of the argument, dismissing the opposing opinions and facts. If you give credit to ideas supporting only one side, you will sound biased and opinionated, which is a sign of a non-competent, non-academic paper.
Keep in mind who will read your paper. If that’s your supervisor, it’s vital to include professional terms and concepts into the content to sound knowledgeable about the subject. If that’s some general audience of laypersons, try to stick to less professional words and simpler sentence structures to enhance comprehension.

How to Conclude Argument Synthesis Essay

Think of your concluding part as an answer to the “so what” question. In the introduction, you presented the context and significance of your issue. The body of your paper was dedicated to a thoughtful analysis of that issue point by point.

Now, you need to summarize whether you achieved the set goals and whether your argument is complete and valid. Give a summary of your major points, reiterate your thesis statement, and show how your knowledge on the subject progressed towards a better understanding of the problem and its solution.

Examples of a Synthesis Essay

Need some more guidance on how to write an argument synthesis essay? Here is a brief sample for your convenience. Study it to see how our experts organized the argumentation and synthesized opinions from multiple sources into one coherent argument:

Video gaming has been a favorite pastime of millions of people for many years. Still, with the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of active gamers increased manifold. Thus, today video games are not only kids’ fun; millions of adult gamers worldwide are ready to spend tons of money on gaming armor and accessories. Given the rising number of gamers, the game producers have started using numerous innovations and hooks to keep players engaged, which are not always ethical. Active monetization and social networking strategies attract more players but produce a devastating effect on the teenagers’ and adults’ social and psychological well-being.

The most widely discussed effect of video gaming is social isolation. The study of Jameson (2020) showed that teens playing video games for more than 20 hours a week tend to have no friends and suffer from bullying three times more often. Kiddig (2021) supported that argument by claiming that active video gamers prefer online communication to real-world activities. Thus, 78% of his respondents did not engage in sports and reported a low level of social activity. These findings suggest that teenagers resorting to online gaming have socialization problems, tend to avoid real-life activities with peers, and feel socially isolated in school settings.

As one can see, the problem of social isolation connected with intense video gaming is pressing among teens. Those who prefer games to real-world communication are poor communicators and have problems with peers more often. Besides, the absence of social activities and engagement in sports can produce a far-reaching adverse effect on teens’ health. Thus, the issue of gaming addiction should be addressed at all levels through parental and child education, merging cyber-gaming and real-life sports activities, and more active promotion of an outdoor lifestyle.

Bonus Tips from Pro Writers

We’re sharing some secrets to making your assignment truly outstanding.

Follow them, and in some time, you’ll be able to achieve greater heights in academic writing mastery and talent:

Invest enough time and effort into your thesis formulation. This key element of your intro will guide you in the writing process and contribute to your paper’s readability and clarity.
Select the sources first and study them closely to draw the parallels and common points from the chosen set. Once you start writing, you need to know what unites these sources, what points the authors share, and how they approach the subject.
Be sure to allocate 2-3 sources per point in your argument as it’s a sure way to make the argument genuinely synthetic. Otherwise, you risk sounding biased, and your synthesis won’t succeed.
Don’t forget to credit all included sources, as plagiarism is the writer’s worst sin.

Our Help Is Always a Safe Choice

Still unsure about how to write an argument synthesis essay? Stuck with other assignments, with no extra time for research and careful composition? It’s not a problem anymore, as our experts are here, ready to help you with any kind of synthesis essay you need.

Just contact our managers and voice your needs, and they will assign a capable professional with many years of writing expertise to your order in minutes. Relax and enjoy student life; it can be really fun to study smart, not hard.

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Synthesizing Sources

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When you look for areas where your sources agree or disagree and try to draw broader conclusions about your topic based on what your sources say, you are engaging in synthesis. Writing a research paper usually requires synthesizing the available sources in order to provide new insight or a different perspective into your particular topic (as opposed to simply restating what each individual source says about your research topic).

Note that synthesizing is not the same as summarizing.

A summary restates the information in one or more sources without providing new insight or reaching new conclusions.
A synthesis draws on multiple sources to reach a broader conclusion.

There are two types of syntheses: explanatory syntheses and argumentative syntheses . Explanatory syntheses seek to bring sources together to explain a perspective and the reasoning behind it. Argumentative syntheses seek to bring sources together to make an argument. Both types of synthesis involve looking for relationships between sources and drawing conclusions.

In order to successfully synthesize your sources, you might begin by grouping your sources by topic and looking for connections. For example, if you were researching the pros and cons of encouraging healthy eating in children, you would want to separate your sources to find which ones agree with each other and which ones disagree.

After you have a good idea of what your sources are saying, you want to construct your body paragraphs in a way that acknowledges different sources and highlights where you can draw new conclusions.

As you continue synthesizing, here are a few points to remember:

Don’t force a relationship between sources if there isn’t one. Not all of your sources have to complement one another.
Do your best to highlight the relationships between sources in very clear ways.
Don’t ignore any outliers in your research. It’s important to take note of every perspective (even those that disagree with your broader conclusions).

Example Syntheses

Below are two examples of synthesis: one where synthesis is NOT utilized well, and one where it is.

Parents are always trying to find ways to encourage healthy eating in their children. Elena Pearl Ben-Joseph, a doctor and writer for KidsHealth , encourages parents to be role models for their children by not dieting or vocalizing concerns about their body image. The first popular diet began in 1863. William Banting named it the “Banting” diet after himself, and it consisted of eating fruits, vegetables, meat, and dry wine. Despite the fact that dieting has been around for over a hundred and fifty years, parents should not diet because it hinders children’s understanding of healthy eating.

In this sample paragraph, the paragraph begins with one idea then drastically shifts to another. Rather than comparing the sources, the author simply describes their content. This leads the paragraph to veer in an different direction at the end, and it prevents the paragraph from expressing any strong arguments or conclusions.

An example of a stronger synthesis can be found below.

Parents are always trying to find ways to encourage healthy eating in their children. Different scientists and educators have different strategies for promoting a well-rounded diet while still encouraging body positivity in children. David R. Just and Joseph Price suggest in their article “Using Incentives to Encourage Healthy Eating in Children” that children are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are given a reward (855-856). Similarly, Elena Pearl Ben-Joseph, a doctor and writer for Kids Health , encourages parents to be role models for their children. She states that “parents who are always dieting or complaining about their bodies may foster these same negative feelings in their kids. Try to keep a positive approach about food” (Ben-Joseph). Martha J. Nepper and Weiwen Chai support Ben-Joseph’s suggestions in their article “Parents’ Barriers and Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating among School-age Children.” Nepper and Chai note, “Parents felt that patience, consistency, educating themselves on proper nutrition, and having more healthy foods available in the home were important strategies when developing healthy eating habits for their children.” By following some of these ideas, parents can help their children develop healthy eating habits while still maintaining body positivity.

In this example, the author puts different sources in conversation with one another. Rather than simply describing the content of the sources in order, the author uses transitions (like "similarly") and makes the relationship between the sources evident.

4.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis

Svetlana Zhuravlova

In academic research and writing, synthesizing the information from the obtained available resources results in novelty, discovery, reaching the common sense on a debatable issue, clarifying the perplexity of the subject under discussion, or making the point on a controversial topic. Your rhetorical goal for writing a synthesis essay will be identified by the given assignment. In your First-Year Writing courses, you may write an Informative/Explanatory Synthesis and/or an Argumentative Synthesis.

What Is an Informative/Explanatory Synthesis?

In informative writing, you are explaining the discussion points and topics to your readers without taking a position of one side or another, without showing your opinion. Even if the topic is debatable and highly controversial, instead of promoting your personal opinion, you have to objectively introduce the ideas of others and explain and show how their information is related to each other’s, as well as how the information may connect and diverge. You are not showing your agreement with some authors and disagreement with the others. You should stay neutral both in your comments on the found information and in your conclusions reached at the end of the discussion.

Example: Numerous authors wonder if this is a natural progression over time because of the laws that have changed or a shift in ideals that redefine what free speech is supposed to be… Author N believes that [free speech] is not controlled enough in the interest of the people, while Authors B and D believe that, in an ideal world, opinions would be formed and spoken without repercussion and merely be a part of language…

At the end of the discussion, draw your neutral conclusion on the topic:

Example: The question of if speech has become limited, affecting the right to freedom of speech, lies in the hands of the people and the justice system itself.

What Is an Argumentative Synthesis?

Everything you learned about Argumentative Writing in the chapters of this textbook is true and valid for writing an Argumentative Synthesis. The main difference may be that you are to support your ideas with evidence found in multiple sources, show and explain how the authors’ opinions relate, and discuss which of your authors agree and disagree on the controversial issue, while your comments on the information retrieved from these sources and your conclusions will clarify your own position in the debate.

First, you start the debate with the assertion that sets the goal for the debate, its controversy:

Example: Societal changes are a large part of the debate on free speech and its limitations . The debate is about whether offensive speech should be punished when it is said with the intent to psychologically harm a group or person, or if immoral or scandalous speech should be off-limits.

Then, you are moderating the debate among the experts:

Professor of Law E disagrees…
His thought is echoed by Professor R from the University of …
Authors F and S also discuss and assess…
Following in their steps, Authors D and T express…
Unfortunately, in opposition to their respect, Author X asserts that…
This brings us back to the viewpoint of Authors F and S, who argue that…

Finally, conclude the discussion and finalize your position:

Thus, hateful and immoral speech—which typically associates itself with low value because of harmful words—will continue to find its limitations in the world even if it is not through government operations…

Attributions: Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis by Svetlana Zhuravlova is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted. It has been further edited and re-mixed by Dr. Adam Falik and Dr. Doreen Piano for the LOUIS OER Dual Enrollment course development program to create “English Composition II” and has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

4.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis Copyright © 2022 by Svetlana Zhuravlova is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Teaching argumentative synthesis writing through deliberative dialogues: instructional practices in secondary education

Original Research
Published: 25 June 2021
Volume 49 , pages 515–559, ( 2021 )

Cite this article

Lidia Casado-Ledesma ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8813-9036 1 ,
Isabel Cuevas ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0929-1097 1 ,
Huub Van den Bergh ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-1320-5334 2 ,
Gert Rijlaarsdam ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2633-7336 3 ,
Mar Mateos ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7685-9597 4 ,
Miriam Granado-Peinado ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2284-4290 5 &
Elena Martín ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3445-023X 1

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Dialogical argumentation practice contributes positively to argumentative writing skills. Specifically, deliberative dialogues are effective in promoting argument and counterargument integration in students' essays. However, the potential of dialogic activities may be increased if they are combined with instructional practices. The primary objective of this research is to compare the impact of four intervention programs, aimed at improving argumentative synthesis writing from conflicting sources. The four programs resulted from the combination of two instructional components (Explicit Instruction through video modelling—EI, or a Procedural Guideline—G), while Deliberative Dialogues—DD—were a constant element. We conducted a pre-post quasi-experimental study in which 186 Spanish third grade secondary school students (aged 14–15) participated. We evaluated the quality of the syntheses by examining the level of argumentative coverage (the total number of arguments included in the synthesis) and the level of integration (the type and frequency of the argumentative strategies used in the syntheses). The results showed that the effectiveness of the instructional methods varies according to the synthesis quality indicator. Explicit instruction, in combination with deliberative dialogues, was especially helpful in improving the level of integration of syntheses. The procedural guideline, in combination with deliberative dialogues, contributed significantly to the coverage of arguments. The combination of these two elements did not favor the writing of synthesis as expected, probably due to the conditions in which the intervention was carried out. The findings of this study revealed that the coverage of arguments and integration processes are of different nature, follow different learning paths and require different instructional processes.

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Learning paths in synthesis writing: Which learning path contributes most to which learning outcome?

Teaching to write collaborative argumentative syntheses in higher education

Learning science through argumentative synthesis writing and deliberative dialogues: a comprehensive and effective methodology in secondary education

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The present study was supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional (Spain) under Grant for the Formación de Personal Investigador (FPU16/01454), and by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innnovación State program oriented to the challenges of society (I + D + I) (PID2019-105250RB-I00).

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Lidia Casado-Ledesma, Isabel Cuevas & Elena Martín

Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS. Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Huub Van den Bergh

Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Gert Rijlaarsdam

Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Autónoma University of Madrid, C/Iván Pavlov, 6. Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

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This instruction corresponds to the DD + G + EI program. The instruction in the DD + EI program followed the same structure, but without including allusions to the procedural guideline.

Appendix 1: Explicit Instructions (script)-DD + G + EI condition

Good morning everyone. Within the activities of our argumentation project, today we are going to teach you to integrate different positions when discussing a controversial issue.

Debates are discussion activities that you are probably familiar with. It is common for some subjects to organise activities of this type for you to express your opinion on a controversial issue. In many cases there is no type of prior organisation and you can intervene one by one to give your opinion on the matter. However, debate activities in which teams are formed within the classroom to simulate a debate such as those on television are also common. Imagine that in the subject of ethics you see a film in which a person is sentenced to life imprisonment. After watching this film, your teacher could suggest a debate in which half of the class argues in favour of this type of punishment and the other half, against. This assignment of positions could correspond to your previous opinion on the subject, or not.

When organising the discussion in this way, that is, with “opposing” sides, it tends to generate the idea that there is only one correct position on the controversy. This then involves putting in place a series of argumentative strategies that seek to persuade the opposing team to change their mind. In these cases, it usually happens that the assigned position is defended from the beginning, arguing in favour of it, citing reasons and evidence that supports it, and ignoring what the other position has to say. On other occasions, in addition to defending the chosen position with arguments, it is decided to enumerate the arguments of the opposite position, without considering, evaluating or reflecting on them. In the best of cases, persuasion is sought through the rebuttal strategy. This strategy consists of defending our position firmly with arguments and discrediting the opposite opinion, explaining why it is false or not properly supported.

These strategies are not the wrong approach if the goal of the discussion is to persuade, however, they carry the belief that there is only one valid position on the topic of discussion, when, in truth, most controversial or controversial topics tend to have both advantageous and problematic aspects.

Bearing in mind the latter, discussions on controversial issues can be raised from another approach, which encourages an in-depth exploration of the different positions and the search for a solution that includes the best aspects of each position. This approach is more conducive to learning and helps us “put ourselves in the mind of the other”.

Have you ever been super convinced of something, and after listening to someone's arguments you realise that that person also says interesting things that you had not thought about? Well, in those cases it is important not to remain "anchored" in our positions, and try to reconsider our previous opinion in order to elaborate a more complex conclusion. Today we are going to learn how to do this in a discussion about a controversial topic, about which there may be conflicting opinions.

This class can also help you with the task of creating argumentative syntheses, since the processes that we are going to explain, and that are set in motion during a discussion that aims to reach an integrative conclusion, are the same as those which have to be followed to produce a written synthesis. The writing of an argumentative synthesis, if you remember, was the task that you had to do in the first session of the project. In the last session, you will do another one.

That said, I am going to tell you how we are going to work throughout this class. I am going to show you a video in which four students appear doing the discussion activity that you yourself will have to do the next day.

These students have been assigned the task of reading two texts on a controversial topic and generating a group discussion to reach an argued conclusion on the topic. To assist you in this discussion, you have been provided with a procedural guideline that details the sequence of steps you can take in the process. The group conclusion reached by these students must be communicated by the leader of the group in an upcoming discussion session, in which only the leaders will participate. The topic they read and discuss in the video is related to the area of science, as were the texts that you used to make the argumentative synthesis in the first session. The students in the video must read and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of natural therapies, such as acupuncture or homeopathic.

This video is made up of different scenes, each of which is intended to illustrate a different phase or step. These phases or steps must be followed when developing a discussion with a goal of integrating positions, and when said discussion has to lead to the elaboration of a final written conclusion. The phases or steps illustrated in the video coincide with the sections in the procedural guideline.

As I have explained, these steps are illustrated in the different scenes of the video and, in turn, correspond to the sections of the procedural guideline that were given to the students. One important thing is that although the phases are presented in a certain order in the video and in the procedural guideline, they do not have to be linear. This means that when you develop the discussion yourself the next day, you will be able to re-explore the different positions when you are contrasting them, or, when reviewing the text, some of the members of the group will be able to return to the conclusion to rework it, etcetera.

So that the video can help you as much as possible, after each scene I will make a brief intervention in which I will explain what we have just seen, and at the same time that I will show you the section of the procedural guideline that corresponds to the process or step illustrated in the video.

Okay, well, having said that, let's start watching the video.

Scene 1 is projected. Reading the procedural guideline

Explanation of the scene.

Well, as seen in this first scene, the students begin the task after having read the instructions. You see that in the video there is a student who has been chosen as leader. The role of this student within the group is quite important. The main thing that this person has to do is make sure that, at the end of the discussion, an argued group conclusion has been generated that can be carried over to the next day, in the discussion session between leaders. This does not mean that all the burden of the discussion should fall on this person. Quite the opposite. As it is a group discussion activity, all students have to participate and contribute their opinions. What the leader has to do is ensure that the discussion is orderly, and to try to make progress in the different steps or phases of the process to elaborate the argued conclusion. Timing is essential, as at the end of the session you need to have a detailed and written group conclusion.

As you can see in the video, before starting to read the texts individually, the students take a look at the procedural guideline to get a general idea of what they will have to do throughout the activity.

The procedural guideline highlights some strategies for working collaboratively that are important for us to keep in mind. ( List them ).

Bearing in mind what they are going to have to do, the students have already read the texts individually, and, as you can see, they make annotations as they read them. It is good to highlight the information that we consider important and useful for discussion in the texts. Different strategies can be followed, such as underlining, making annotations in the margins, writing down the ideas on a separate sheet of paper … The important thing in this phase is trying to understand what the texts are about and assimilating the information they present in order to be able to discuss it later.

Although the students in the video first read the texts individually and then generate the discussion, when you do the task you can comment during the reading or after it. There is no single way to carry out this initial reading phase.

Time limitations mean we have not collected this episode in its entirety in the video, but you can intuit the process that the students have followed, reading individually, pointing out the arguments in the text, noting comments and observations in the margin, commenting on their impressions with their classmates … In short, you should use all the resources that you think are appropriate to make a good initial reading.

Let's see what the next step is.

Scene 2 is projected. End of reading and beginning of discussion

As you have seen, when the students finish reading the texts, the leader begins the discussion by referring to a series of questions that appear in the procedural guideline. The questions are as follows: (the slide in the procedural guideline is projected, containing the table and the questions on the topic of discussion, etc.).

Based on these questions, the students comment on what they think the theme of the texts is and explore the opinions of the group about it, as well as whether these changed after reading.

It is very important that you ask each other questions that stimulate discussion, both those that you can find in the procedural guideline and others that help you work together, and that help you to analyse the texts and communicate the ideas you may have on the subject. Asking and answering questions will help you get a broader view of the texts by sharing your perspectives on them, and generating and sharing ideas. In this sense, the leader will have the responsibility of supervising and ensuring that the necessary questions are being asked to understand and elucidate the texts.

Similarly, the leader must also guarantee that there is no stagnation of the discussion in anecdotal information, which, may even not be directly related to the subject matter of the texts. If you noticed, there is a moment in the scene when the leader points out that the discussion is focusing too much on cancer. This type of signalling is important so that time is not wasted without having completed the task.

Scene 3 is projected. Identification of arguments and generation of the table

As you can see, in this phase the students state the arguments that they have been identifying in the texts and cooperatively construct a table with two columns. This graphic tool helps to easily compare the information from both sources and to establish possible relationships between arguments.

Before moving on to the next phase, it is necessary to clarify that, although we saw in the scene that the students analyse the arguments of the first text and do not go on to explore Text 2 until they finish with it, this is not the only way to do that. Another possibility would be to identify the arguments of both texts at the same time.

Scene 4 is projected. List of arguments and assessment of their importance

This scene illustrates how the students realise, thanks to the table they have just made, that some arguments in the text about the benefits of natural therapies respond to some arguments in the text about the disadvantages. This means that the students have found relationships between arguments and that it seemed important not only to mention them, but also to point them out through some mechanism. To do this, they chose the strategy of connecting the arguments that may be related to each other with arrows.

The identification of these relationships can be of great help for the elaboration of an integrating conclusion that tries to reconcile two positions which are, a priori, opposed.

Just as I could help in this search for possible relationships, it can also be useful to assess the importance of each argument. When one reads, and not only identifies the arguments, but also values and contrasts them with others, the weight of each argument may vary. This is something that is reflected in the video when one of the students makes it explicit that for him there is an argument in the text about the disadvantages of the therapies that practically nullifies any advantage they have. This assessment of the importance of the arguments is important when preparing the argued conclusion, since it can revolve around those who have the most weight.

In summary, we have seen in this phase of argument exploration how the students share what they have previously done individually. This comparison or contrast between the arguments and counterarguments that they have individually identified will enrich their understanding of the texts and the subsequent argumentation, because as we have seen, by sharing what they had done individually they exchange ideas or reasoning that they had not reached on their own. In this process of comparison, the students are connecting the arguments of both positions. This is a process that involves relating the arguments of the positions to each other and assessing their importance. They can be related because the arguments complement each other, because they are opposed and what is said in one text allows us to refute what is said in another … but we can also consider the importance and weight they have, since the latter will allow us to elaborate and structure the conclusion. The questions that appear in the procedural guideline support these two processes and the graphic resources are also a clear aid.

Scene 5 is projected. Drawing conclusions

This is a key phase of the process, since it is necessary to find a solution that is satisfactory for all members of the group, and that at the same time integrates aspects of the two positions. In other words, everything that the students in the video have done so far must be summed up in one conclusion. This conclusion must be the result of the relationships and the assessment of the importance of the arguments that have been identified.

As we have seen in the video, the students are not writing a text as such. They simply continue the discussion to reach an integrative conclusion, considering what has been mentioned in the previous contrast phase. Now, to facilitate the later writing task, they do point out a series of things. If you remember, one of the students proposes taking notes schematically.

In order to help reach this inclusive conclusion, the procedural guideline poses some questions that point out the fundamental aspects of this phase.

Remember that it is about integrating both positions. Stating the arguments of both positions and saying that both are right is not an integration. Nor is it an integration, as we pointed out when we talked about persuasive strategies during debates, to opt for one position and argue only that, or refer to the other only to refute it.

Here we are teaching you to integrate both positions; that is, to try to find the links between the two positions, and even to draw up novel and alternative conclusions that respond to the difficulties encountered in each of them. There is no completely true or wrong opinion, and that is why we need to integrate the different positions in the final conclusion.

In the video you have been able to see one of the ways to arrive at an integrative solution: the students agree on what their position will be—to be in agreement with natural therapies—and under what conditions they will defend it, as long as they comply with a series of guarantees and medical controls, reaching a conclusion that integrates aspects of both positions.

The students could have used a consistent strategy of weighing the arguments of both positions. They could have valued arguments and counterarguments, explaining why the advantages of a position outweigh its disadvantages. In this way, what we are doing is prioritising positions, but we are not dedicated to showing that one of them is false. What we do is recognise the value of both. For example, students might begin by explaining the first argument of a position and how the opposing text refutes or counters it. In this sense, they could talk about whether natural therapies are adequate or not, assessing the support provided by both texts ( the first text believes that these therapies are appropriate because they have a global approach to the person and do not focus only on symptoms … and the second text argues that they are not adequate, since they do not pass a series of controls and their long-term consequences are unknown… ). In this way, they could recognise the importance of both positions, to finally opt for the most advantageous position ( however, although it is true that these therapies can be beneficial because a priori they concern themselves with more general aspects of health, it is necessary to guarantee that its application does not have side effects, since they are treatments that have not passed a series of controls like the drugs we ingest do …).

A final option or strategy that we can use to build our conclusion is to come up with a completely new solution that overcomes the problems posed by the two positions and combines the advantages of both. When you develop the discussion, you will have to use these different integration strategies, which are not mutually exclusive.

A final important issue that is highlighted in the video and in the procedural guideline is the number of arguments for both positions mentioned in the conclusion. It is important that the conclusion responds to all the problems raised by both positions. This means that when an integrative solution is proposed, it has to collect all the comparisons of arguments made and the conclusion that we derive from that comparison.

Scene 6 is projected. Textualisation

The next step, as you have seen in the video, is to put in writing the conclusion that the students have reached. It is possible that the next day, when you are in this phase, you will already have part or all of the text in writing. There is no one way to do homework. As we have mentioned, in the procedural guideline and in the video, everything appears in a very linear way, but in fact, it does not have to be that way.

Perhaps when you write, you realise that you are not so sure about what you originally agreed. This is normal, because when we write, our ideas can change. Writing helps us learn, and is a decision-making process that affects the content and form of texts.

The questions in the procedural guideline are intended to help us make these decisions:

In what order are we going to present the argument? First arguments and then counterarguments or do we insert them?).

In the video, the students had to make decisions about the order or structure to follow before writing, or how to write the ideas. To do this, they have been expressing their opinion of what they think is the best way to write the conclusion they have reached. They have explained how they usually approach this task when they do it individually and have agreed on what the main message of the conclusion had to be and on how to structure the text.

This situation of agreement does not have to occur in all cases. The good thing about working in a group in this phase is that it facilitates the way that, when writing, we have to make explicit the ideas that we want to capture in the text to see if they are shared within the group. Based on the information that we put "on the table", we can detect incongruities that must be resolved between all of us. The message that we want to convey in the text is thus collectively elaborated.

Scene 7 is projected. Revision

As can be seen in the video, the students make a final review of the written product they have generated. In this way, they make sure that they have integrated everything that they had agreed to include in the text, and, in addition, they check that they agree with the message in the conclusion. This is important, because in the next session the leader will convey the opinion of the group and it is necessary that it be shared and understandable.

When we talk about proofreading, we often dwell too much on questions of grammar or syntax. This is important because the text has to be legible, however, we must not forget that the group's position is clear, or that the conclusion includes the agreed arguments and that these have been duly supported.

The procedural guideline contains a series of questions that can help with this final review (Is your position clear? Are all the arguments there? Are they convincing? etc.).

Appendix 2: procedural guideline

Steps of the process collected in the procedural guideline.

Positions on the topic

You will find a table and some questions that could help you identify and organise the different positions in the debate and the arguments used by each of them.

What is the subject of the debate?

What previous opinion did you have about debate? Has this changed?

What are the different points of view on this issue?

Comparison of positions

Below, you will find some guidelines and questions that will help you compare the different positions.

Conclusion of the controversy

Here are some questions that could help you draw a conclusion about the controversy:

Is there a position that has more weight? Why?

Is there a way to reconcile the two positions? Why? Is there a new alternative that integrates the different positions?

Is there a position where its strength depends on certain conditions being met?

Have you thought of a conclusion that compares various arguments from both positions? Does this conclusion answer several of the problems raised by the different positions?

Have you come to any conclusions after reflecting on these questions? Have you reached any conclusions after reflecting on these questions?

Writing the text

Here are some questions that could help you organise your ideas:

In what order are you going to present the argument? In the previous order, first the arguments and then the counterarguments, jumping from one to the other, inserting them …?

Is it better to start with the strongest argument or to leave it until the end?

Do we need to repeat our point of view at the end?

Have you answered these questions to organise your ideas?

Review of the text

Finally, you will find some questions that could help you to review and self-evaluate your text during writing and when you have finished it:

Is our position clear?

Do all the arguments that we have thought justify our conclusion?

Are they convincing, and are they justified with good reasons?

Are all the ideas well linked? Is it clear how all the sentences in the text relate to each other?

When you have reviewed any part of the text, has it been ambiguous?

Is there any spelling, syntactic errors, etc.?

Have you used these questions to review and self-evaluate your text?

Appendix 3: Read the following text by Elvira Lindo and answer the questions

It is increasingly common to share a table with people who think that they must inform you of the nutrients contained in each food on the plate. If you ask for sardines they remind you of their high Omega-3 content; if it is broccoli then how to ignore its anticancer properties; if it is eaten with tea (more and more frequent) its antioxidant and diuretic potential is celebrated; if the salad has nuts, the energy power and the cardiovascular benefits are mentioned; if it is salmon, you have to remember that with each bite we are kicking bad cholesterol; kale seasoned with a little oil is not fattening, satiates and nourishes like no other cabbage; if we prepare a white omelette, only with egg whites, we get rid of that which contributes nothing and only makes us fat, and so on, ad infinitum. I confess, I can't handle that much.

I am outraged by this tendency to judge food by erasing any hedonistic or social aspect, which ultimately surely has a more decisive effect on well-being than the strict relationship of its properties. I read that the cool creatives of Silicon Valley are enthusiastic about some powders called Soylent that, mixed with water, prevent you from having the bad taste of eating a plate of food as God intended. Soylent is a nutritional compound that was designed in 2003 by a software engineer in order to save money and not waste time in either the preparation of food nor in that precious half hour that goes into consuming it. This diet, which is taken with a straw and means the executive does not have to look away from the computer, is not accepted by science as a substitute for food, but there are modernists who are embracing it with enthusiasm. I believe that it is nothing more than a lack of respect towards those who do not have food to put in their mouth.

Elvira Lindo

What is the subject of the text?

What does the word ‘hedonist’ mean? If you don't know it, try to define it according to the linguistic context in which it is used.

What is the function of the “Soylent” product?

What does the author think about current eating trends?

What are the characteristics of the language of the text? Where could we find a text like this?

If you had to propose a title for the writing, what would it be?

Read the following text by Jose Confuso and complete the activities

The summer of influencers. Sorry, the influencers' summer, now you have to say everything in English. As if it were a bad dream, one of those naps under the umbrella after having eaten a paella watered with sangria, summer filled us with scholars, enlightened technology, magicians of social networks. They call themselves influencers and presume to create a school, to mobilise the masses, to raise the people against the gentrification of styling. They raise their fists and conquer a Zara. They are the low-cost Marx. The Che Guevara of trends. But with a beret. Or a straw borsalino, which is very hot.

But what the hell is an influencer? That is what many of us have been wondering for years. Thanks to the premiere of programs like Quiero ser , the fashion talent show hosted by Sara Carbonero, the public has approached a phenomenon that has us saturated. An influencer is nothing more than a fashion lover — see, buy clothes and put them on—who lives by accumulating followers on social networks thanks to their innate ability to combine clothes and, fundamentally, look handsome in photos. The art of cheek biting. Zoolanders of life who started a blog when they began to emerge and now act as kings of the show.

But #beware, what seems like just a hobby is a more than beneficial livelihood. As soon as you hang up an influencer label—don't call them bloggers, they don't like it anymore—brands go crazy to send you gifts and promotional samples. And you, of course, overjoyed, run to share them on your social networks, praising their benefits and encouraging your thousands of followers to do the same. And all for your pretty face! Well, and for a substantial amount of money if the number of followers allows it—more Ks, more euros.

Such is the volume of product placement that even the US government has decided to get involved in the matter. The Federal Competition Commission has announced that it will require influencers to clearly identify posts sponsored by brands. And it won't do to sneak the hashtags #ad or #sponsored into a cloud of thirty-five tags at the end of each image on Instagram. Business is faltering. Where now is that spontaneity, that natural impudence, that connection with the common people that the kings of the selfie promise?

Far from transmitting the real functioning of the fashion industry, the influencer phenomenon has only served to create monsters. We have made an entire generation believe that you don't have to do anything to succeed in life. Just put on some clothes, take four photos, and upload them to Instagram. Live the millennial dream. And the worst thing is that they are right. Now even my beloved mother knows what an it girl is. I fear the day that I discover Instagram stories and fill my timeline with videos of making faces. "Do you know what contouring is?" he asks me. And, of course, my soul falls to my feet. I will never forgive you, Paula Echevarría. Never.

Jose Confuso

What is the author's intention? Mark the answer that you consider the most correct with an X.

Inform about a new profession related to fashion.

List the different advantages of being an influencer.

Criticise the impact that the influencers' way of life is having on young people.

Complete the following table with words extracted from the text (3 of each type):

Answer the following questions:

What references to historical figures appear in the writing?

Identify an expression in the text that means “to produce sadness”.

What differences and similarities do you find between this text and the text by Elvira Lindo (subject, language, target audience, etc.)? Did you experience the same sensations when reading them? Why?

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Casado-Ledesma, L., Cuevas, I., Van den Bergh, H. et al. Teaching argumentative synthesis writing through deliberative dialogues: instructional practices in secondary education. Instr Sci 49 , 515–559 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-021-09548-3

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Issue Date : August 2021

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-021-09548-3

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a perfect synthesis essay for the ap language exam.

Advanced Placement (AP)

If you're planning to take the AP Language (or AP Lang) exam , you might already know that 55% of your overall exam score will be based on three essays. The first of the three essays you'll have to write on the AP Language exam is called the "synthesis essay." If you want to earn full points on this portion of the AP Lang Exam, you need to know what a synthesis essay is and what skills are assessed by the AP Lang synthesis essay.

In this article, we'll explain the different aspects of the AP Lang synthesis essay, including what skills you need to demonstrate in your synthesis essay response in order to achieve a good score. We'll also give you a full breakdown of a real AP Lang Synthesis Essay prompt, provide an analysis of an AP Lang synthesis essay example, and give you four tips for how to write a synthesis essay.

Let's get started by taking a closer look at how the AP Lang synthesis essay works!

Synthesis Essay AP Lang: What It Is and How It Works

The AP Lang synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the Free Response section of the AP Lang exam.

The AP Lang synthesis essay portion of the Free Response section lasts for one hour total . This hour consists of a recommended 15 minute reading period and a 40 minute writing period. Keep in mind that these time allotments are merely recommendations, and that exam takers can parse out the allotted 60 minutes to complete the synthesis essay however they choose.

Now, here's what the structure of the AP Lang synthesis essay looks like. The exam presents six to seven sources that are organized around a specific topic (like alternative energy or eminent domain, which are both past synthesis exam topics).

Of these six to seven sources, at least two are visual , including at least one quantitative source (like a graph or pie chart, for example). The remaining four to five sources are print text-based, and each one contains approximately 500 words.

In addition to six to seven sources, the AP Lang exam provides a written prompt that consists of three paragraphs. The prompt will briefly explain the essay topic, then present a claim that students will respond to in an essay that synthesizes material from at least three of the sources provided.

Here's an example prompt provided by the College Board:

Directions : The following prompt is based on the accompanying six sources.

This question requires you to integrate a variety of sources into a coherent, well-written essay. Refer to the sources to support your position; avoid mere paraphrase or summary. Your argument should be central; the sources should support this argument .

Remember to attribute both direct and indirect citations.

Introduction

Television has been influential in United States presidential elections since the 1960's. But just what is this influence, and how has it affected who is elected? Has it made elections fairer and more accessible, or has it moved candidates from pursuing issues to pursuing image?

Read the following sources (including any introductory information) carefully. Then, in an essay that synthesizes at least three of the sources for support, take a position that defends, challenges, or qualifies the claim that television has had a positive impact on presidential elections.

Refer to the sources as Source A, Source B, etc.; titles are included for your convenience.

Source A (Campbell) Source B (Hart and Triece) Source C (Menand) Source D (Chart) Source E (Ranney) Source F (Koppel)

Like we mentioned earlier, this prompt gives you a topic — which it briefly explains — then asks you to take a position. In this case, you'll have to choose a stance on whether television has positively or negatively affected U.S. elections. You're also given six sources to evaluate and use in your response. Now that you have everything you need, now your job is to write an amazing synthesis essay.

But what does "synthesize" mean, exactly? According to the CollegeBoard, when an essay prompt asks you to synthesize, it means that you should "combine different perspectives from sources to form a support of a coherent position" in writing. In other words, a synthesis essay asks you to state your claim on a topic, then highlight the relationships between several sources that support your claim on that topic. Additionally, you'll need to cite specific evidence from your sources to prove your point.

The synthesis essay counts for six of the total points on the AP Lang exam . Students can receive 0-1 points for writing a thesis statement in the essay, 0-4 based on incorporation of evidence and commentary, and 0-1 points based on sophistication of thought and demonstrated complex understanding of the topic.

You'll be evaluated based on how effectively you do the following in your AP Lang synthesis essay:

Write a thesis that responds to the exam prompt with a defensible position

Provide specific evidence that to support all claims in your line of reasoning from at least three of the sources provided, and clearly and consistently explain how the evidence you include supports your line of reasoning

Demonstrate sophistication of thought by either crafting a thoughtful argument, situating the argument in a broader context, explaining the limitations of an argument

Make rhetorical choices that strengthen your argument and/or employ a vivid and persuasive style throughout your essay.

If your synthesis essay meets the criteria above, then there's a good chance you'll score well on this portion of the AP Lang exam!

If you're looking for even more information on scoring, the College Board has posted the AP Lang Free Response grading rubric on its website. ( You can find it here. ) We recommend taking a close look at it since it includes additional details about the synthesis essay scoring.

Don't be intimidated...we're going to teach you how to break down even the hardest AP synthesis essay prompt.

Full Breakdown of a Real AP Lang Synthesis Essay Prompt

In this section, we'll teach you how to analyze and respond to a synthesis essay prompt in five easy steps, including suggested time frames for each step of the process.

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt

The very first thing to do when the clock starts running is read and analyze the prompt. To demonstrate how to do this, we'll look at the sample AP Lang synthesis essay prompt below. This prompt comes straight from the 2018 AP Lang exam:

Eminent domain is the power governments have to acquire property from private owners for public use. The rationale behind eminent domain is that governments have greater legal authority over lands within their dominion than do private owners. Eminent domain has been instituted in one way or another throughout the world for hundreds of years.

Carefully read the following six sources, including the introductory information for each source. Then synthesize material from at least three of the sources and incorporate it into a coherent, well-developed essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies the notion that eminent domain is productive and beneficial.

Your argument should be the focus of your essay. Use the sources to develop your argument and explain the reasoning for it. Avoid merely summarizing the sources. Indicate clearly which sources you are drawing from, whether through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. You may cite the sources as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the descriptions in parentheses.

On first read, you might be nervous about how to answer this prompt...especially if you don't know what eminent domain is! But if you break the prompt down into chunks, you'll be able to figure out what the prompt is asking you to do in no time flat.

To get a full understanding of what this prompt wants you to do, you need to identify the most important details in this prompt, paragraph by paragraph. Here's what each paragraph is asking you to do:

Paragraph 1: The prompt presents and briefly explains the topic that you'll be writing your synthesis essay about. That topic is the concept of eminent domain.
Paragraph 2: The prompt presents a specific claim about the concept of eminent domain in this paragraph: Eminent domain is productive and beneficial. This paragraph instructs you to decide whether you want to defend, challenge, or qualify that claim in your synthesis essay , and use material from at least three of the sources provided in order to do so.
Paragraph 3: In the last paragraph of the prompt, the exam gives you clear instructions about how to approach writing your synthesis essay . First, make your argument the focus of the essay. Second, use material from at least three of the sources to develop and explain your argument. Third, provide commentary on the material you include, and provide proper citations when you incorporate quotations, paraphrases, or summaries from the sources provided.

So basically, you'll have to agree with, disagree with, or qualify the claim stated in the prompt, then use at least three sources substantiate your answer. Since you probably don't know much about eminent domain, you'll probably decide on your position after you read the provided sources.

To make good use of your time on the exam, you should spend around 2 minutes reading the prompt and making note of what it's asking you to do. That will leave you plenty of time to read the sources provided, which is the next step to writing a synthesis essay.

Step 2: Read the Sources Carefully

After you closely read the prompt and make note of the most important details, you need to read all of the sources provided. It's tempting to skip one or two sources to save time--but we recommend you don't do this. That's because you'll need a thorough understanding of the topic before you can accurately address the prompt!

For the sample exam prompt included above, there are six sources provided. We're not going to include all of the sources in this article, but you can view the six sources from this question on the 2018 AP Lang exam here . The sources include five print-text sources and one visual source, which is a cartoon.

As you read the sources, it's important to read quickly and carefully. Don't rush! Keep your pencil in hand to quickly mark important passages that you might want to use as evidence in your synthesis. While you're reading the sources and marking passages, you want to think about how the information you're reading influences your stance on the issue (in this case, eminent domain).

When you finish reading, take a few seconds to summarize, in a phrase or sentence, whether the source defends, challenges, or qualifies whether eminent domain is beneficial (which is the claim in the prompt) . Though it might not feel like you have time for this, it's important to give yourself these notes about each source so you know how you can use each one as evidence in your essay.

Here's what we mean: say you want to challenge the idea that eminent domain is useful. If you've jotted down notes about each source and what it's saying, it will be easier for you to pull the relevant information into your outline and your essay.

So how much time should you spend reading the provided sources? The AP Lang exam recommends taking 15 minutes to read the sources . If you spend around two of those minutes reading and breaking down the essay prompt, it makes sense to spend the remaining 13 minutes reading and annotating the sources.

If you finish reading and annotating early, you can always move on to drafting your synthesis essay. But make sure you're taking your time and reading carefully! It's better to use a little extra time reading and understanding the sources now so that you don't have to go back and re-read the sources later.

A strong thesis will do a lot of heavy lifting in your essay. (See what we did there?)

Step 3: Write a Strong Thesis Statement

After you've analyzed the prompt and thoroughly read the sources, the next thing you need to do in order to write a good synthesis essay is write a strong thesis statement .

The great news about writing a thesis statement for this synthesis essay is that you have all the tools you need to do it at your fingertips. All you have to do in order to write your thesis statement is decide what your stance is in relationship to the topic provided.

In the example prompt provided earlier, you're essentially given three choices for how to frame your thesis statement: you can either defend, challenge, or qualify a claim that's been provided by the prompt, that eminent domain is productive and beneficial . Here's what that means for each option:

If you choose to defend the claim, your job will be to prove that the claim is correct . In this case, you'll have to show that eminent domain is a good thing.

If you choose to challenge the claim, you'll argue that the claim is incorrect. In other words, you'll argue that eminent domain isn't productive or beneficial.

If you choose to qualify, that means you'll agree with part of the claim, but disagree with another part of the claim. For instance, you may argue that eminent domain can be a productive tool for governments, but it's not beneficial for property owners. Or maybe you argue that eminent domain is useful in certain circumstances, but not in others.

When you decide whether you want your synthesis essay to defend, challenge, or qualify that claim, you need to convey that stance clearly in your thesis statement. You want to avoid simply restating the claim provided in the prompt, summarizing the issue without making a coherent claim, or writing a thesis that doesn't respond to the prompt.

Here's an example of a thesis statement that received full points on the eminent domain synthesis essay:

Although eminent domain can be misused to benefit private interests at the expense of citizens, it is a vital tool of any government that intends to have any influence on the land it governs beyond that of written law.

This thesis statement received full points because it states a defensible position and establishes a line of reasoning on the issue of eminent domain. It states the author's position (that some parts of eminent domain are good, but others are bad), then goes on to explain why the author thinks that (it's good because it allows the government to do its job, but it's bad because the government can misuse its power.)

Because this example thesis statement states a defensible position and establishes a line of reasoning, it can be elaborated upon in the body of the essay through sub-claims, supporting evidence, and commentary. And a solid argument is key to getting a six on your synthesis essay for AP Lang!

Looking for help studying for your AP exam? Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!

Step 4: Create a Bare-Bones Essay Outline

Once you've got your thesis statement drafted, you have the foundation you need to develop a bare bones outline for your synthesis essay. Developing an outline might seem like it's a waste of your precious time, but if you develop your outline well, it will actually save you time when you start writing your essay.

With that in mind, we recommend spending 5 to 10 minutes outlining your synthesis essay . If you use a bare-bones outline like the one below, labeling each piece of content that you need to include in your essay draft, you should be able to develop out the most important pieces of the synthesis before you even draft the actual essay.

To help you see how this can work on test day, we've created a sample outline for you. You can even memorize this outline to help you out on test day! In the outline below, you'll find places to fill in a thesis statement, body paragraph topic sentences, evidence from the sources provided, and commentary :

Present the context surrounding the essay topic in a couple of sentences (this is a good place to use what you learned about the major opinions or controversies about the topic from reading your sources).
Write a straightforward, clear, and concise thesis statement that presents your stance on the topic
Topic sentence presenting first supporting point or claim
Evidence #1
Commentary on Evidence #1
Evidence #2 (if needed)
Commentary on Evidence #2 (if needed)
Topic sentence presenting second supporting point or claim
Topic sentence presenting three supporting point or claim
Sums up the main line of reasoning that you developed and defended throughout the essay
Reiterates the thesis statement

Taking the time to develop these crucial pieces of the synthesis in a bare-bones outline will give you a map for your final essay. Once you have a map, writing the essay will be much easier.

Step 5: Draft Your Essay Response

The great thing about taking a few minutes to develop an outline is that you can develop it out into your essay draft. After you take about 5 to 10 minutes to outline your synthesis essay, you can use the remaining 30 to 35 minutes to draft your essay and review it.

Since you'll outline your essay before you start drafting, writing the essay should be pretty straightforward. You'll already know how many paragraphs you're going to write, what the topic of each paragraph will be, and what quotations, paraphrases, or summaries you're going to include in each paragraph from the sources provided. You'll just have to fill in one of the most important parts of your synthesis—your commentary.

Commentaries are your explanation of why your evidence supports the argument you've outlined in your thesis. Your commentary is where you actually make your argument, which is why it's such a critical part of your synthesis essay.

When thinking about what to say in your commentary, remember one thing the AP Lang synthesis essay prompt specifies: don't just summarize the sources. Instead, as you provide commentary on the evidence you incorporate, you need to explain how that evidence supports or undermines your thesis statement . You should include commentary that offers a thoughtful or novel perspective on the evidence from your sources to develop your argument.

One very important thing to remember as you draft out your essay is to cite your sources. The AP Lang exam synthesis essay prompt indicates that you can use generic labels for the sources provided (e.g. "Source 1," "Source 2," "Source 3," etc.). The exam prompt will indicate which label corresponds with which source, so you'll need to make sure you pay attention and cite sources accurately. You can cite your sources in the sentence where you introduce a quote, summary, or paraphrase, or you can use a parenthetical citation. Citing your sources affects your score on the synthesis essay, so remembering to do this is important.

Keep reading for a real-life example of a great AP synthesis essay response!

Real-Life AP Synthesis Essay Example and Analysis

If you're still wondering how to write a synthesis essay, examples of real essays from past AP Lang exams can make things clearer. These real-life student AP synthesis essay responses can be great for helping you understand how to write a synthesis essay that will knock the graders' socks off .

While there are multiple essay examples online, we've chosen one to take a closer look at. We're going to give you a brief analysis of one of these example student synthesis essays from the 2019 AP Lang Exam below!

Example Synthesis Essay AP Lang Response

To get started, let's look at the official prompt for the 2019 synthesis essay:

In response to our society's increasing demand for energy, large-scale wind power has drawn attention from governments and consumers as a potential alternative to traditional materials that fuel our power grids, such as coal, oil, natural gas, water, or even newer sources such as nuclear or solar power. Yet the establishment of large-scale, commercial-grade wind farms is often the subject of controversy for a variety of reasons.

Source A (photo) Source B (Layton) Source C (Seltenrich) Source D (Brown) Source E (Rule) Source F (Molla)

In your response you should do the following:

Respond to the prompt with a thesis presents a defensible position.
Select and use evidence from at least 3 of the provided sources to support your line of reasoning. Indicate clearly the sources used through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Sources may be cited as Source A, Source B, etc., or by using the description in parentheses.
Explain how the evidence supports your line of reasoning.
Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

Now that you know exactly what the prompt asked students to do on the 2019 AP Lang synthesis essay, here's an AP Lang synthesis essay example, written by a real student on the AP Lang exam in 2019:

[4] Aesthetics may be the greatest setback for power companies. Although there may be significant economic and environmental benefit to wind power, people will always fight to preserve pure, unspoiled land. Unfortunately, not much can be done to improve the visual aesthetics of the turbines. White paint is the most common choice because it "[is] associated with cleanliness." (Source E). But, this can make it stand out like a sore thumb, and make the gargantuan machines seem more out of place. The site can also not be altered because it affects generating capacity. Sound is almost worse of a concern because it interrupts personal productivity by interrupting people's sleep patterns. One thing for power companies to consider is working with turbine manufacturing to make the machines less aesthetically impactful, so as to garner greater public support.

And that's an entire AP Lang synthesis essay example, written in response to a real AP Lang exam prompt! It's important to remember AP Lang exam synthesis essay prompts are always similarly structured and worded, and students often respond in around the same number of paragraphs as what you see in the example essay response above.

Next, let's analyze this example essay and talk about what it does effectively, where it could be improved upon, and what score past exam scorers awarded it.

To get started on an analysis of the sample synthesis essay, let's look at the scoring commentary provided by the College Board:

For development of thesis, the essay received 1 out of 1 possible points
For evidence and commentary, the essay received 4 out of 4 possible points
For sophistication of thought, the essay received 0 out of 1 possible points.

This means that the final score for this example essay was a 5 out of 6 possible points . Let's look more closely at the content of the example essay to figure out why it received this score breakdown.

Thesis Development

The thesis statement is one of the three main categories that is taken into consideration when you're awarded points on this portion of the exam. This sample essay received 1 out of 1 total points.

Now, here's why: the thesis statement clearly and concisely conveys a position on the topic presented in the prompt--alternative energy and wind power--and defines the most important factors that power companies should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm.

Evidence and Commentary

The second key category taken into consideration when synthesis exams are evaluated is incorporation of evidence and commentary. This sample received 4 out of 4 possible points for this portion of the synthesis essay. At bare minimum, this sample essay meets the requirement mentioned in the prompt that the writer incorporate evidence from at least three of the sources provided.

On top of that, the writer does a good job of connecting the incorporated evidence back to the claim made in the thesis statement through effective commentary. The commentary in this sample essay is effective because it goes beyond just summarizing what the provided sources say. Instead, it explains and analyzes the evidence presented in the selected sources and connects them back to supporting points the writer makes in each body paragraph.

Finally, the writer of the essay also received points for evidence and commentary because the writer developed and supported a consistent line of reasoning throughout the essay . This line of reasoning is summed up in the fourth paragraph in the following sentence: "One thing for power companies to consider is working with turbine manufacturing to make the machines less aesthetically impactful, so as to garner greater public support."

Because the writer did a good job consistently developing their argument and incorporating evidence, they received full marks in this category. So far, so good!

Sophistication of Thought

Now, we know that this essay received a score of 5 out of 6 total points, and the place where the writer lost a point was on the basis of sophistication of thought, for which the writer received 0 out of 1 points. That's because this sample essay makes several generalizations and vague claims where it could have instead made specific claims that support a more balanced argument.

For example, in the following sentence from the 5th paragraph of the sample essay, the writer misses the opportunity to state specific possibilities that power companies should consider for wind energy . Instead, the writer is ambiguous and non-committal, saying, "As with most things, wind power has no easy answer. It is the responsibility of the companies building them to weigh the benefits and consequences."

If the writer of this essay was interested in trying to get that 6th point on the synthesis essay response, they could consider making more specific claims. For instance, they could state the specific benefits and consequences power companies should consider when deciding whether to establish a wind farm. These could include things like environmental impacts, economic impacts, or even population density!

Despite losing one point in the last category, this example synthesis essay is a strong one. It's well-developed, thoughtfully written, and advances an argument on the exam topic using evidence and support throughout.

4 Tips for How to Write a Synthesis Essay

AP Lang is a timed exam, so you have to pick and choose what you want to focus on in the limited time you're given to write the synthesis essay. Keep reading to get our expert advice on what you should focus on during your exam.

Tip 1: Read the Prompt First

It may sound obvious, but when you're pressed for time, it's easy to get flustered. Just remember: when it comes time to write the synthesis essay, read the prompt first !

Why is it so important to read the prompt before you read the sources? Because when you're aware of what kind of question you're trying to answer, you'll be able to read the sources more strategically. The prompt will help give you a sense of what claims, points, facts, or opinions to be looking for as you read the sources.

Reading the sources without having read the prompt first is kind of like trying to drive while wearing a blindfold: you can probably do it, but it's likely not going to end well!

Tip 2: Make Notes While You Read

During the 15-minute reading period at the beginning of the synthesis essay, you'll be reading through the sources as quickly as you can. After all, you're probably anxious to start writing!

While it's definitely important to make good use of your time, it's also important to read closely enough that you understand your sources. Careful reading will allow you to identify parts of the sources that will help you support your thesis statement in your essay, too.

As you read the sources, consider marking helpful passages with a star or check mark in the margins of the exam so you know which parts of the text to quickly re-read as you form your synthesis essay. You might also consider summing up the key points or position of each source in a sentence or a few words when you finish reading each source during the reading period. Doing so will help you know where each source stands on the topic given and help you pick the three (or more!) that will bolster your synthesis argument.

Tip 3: Start With the Thesis Statement

If you don't start your synthesis essay with a strong thesis statement, it's going to be tough to write an effective synthesis essay. As soon as you finish reading and annotating the provided sources, the thing you want to do next is write a strong thesis statement.

According to the CollegeBoard grading guidelines for the AP Lang synthesis essay, a strong thesis statement will respond to the prompt— not restate or rephrase the prompt. A good thesis will take a clear, defensible position on the topic presented in the prompt and the sources.

In other words, to write a solid thesis statement to guide the rest of your synthesis essay, you need to think about your position on the topic at hand and then make a claim about the topic based on your position. This position will either be defending, challenging, or qualifying the claim made in the essay's prompt.

The defensible position that you establish in your thesis statement will guide your argument in the rest of the essay, so it's important to do this first. Once you have a strong thesis statement, you can begin outlining your essay.

Tip 4: Focus on Your Commentary

Writing thoughtful, original commentary that explains your argument and your sources is important. In fact, doing this well will earn you four points (out of a total of six)!

AP Lang provides six to seven sources for you on the exam, and you'll be expected to incorporate quotations, paraphrases, or summaries from at least three of those sources into your synthesis essay and interpret that evidence for the reader.

While incorporating evidence is very important, in order to get the extra point for "sophistication of thought" on the synthesis essay, it's important to spend more time thinking about your commentary on the evidence you choose to incorporate. The commentary is your chance to show original thinking, strong rhetorical skills, and clearly explain how the evidence you've included supports the stance you laid out in your thesis statement.

To earn the 6th possible point on the synthesis essay, make sure your commentary demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the source material, explains this nuanced understanding, and places the evidence incorporated from the sources in conversation with each other. To do this, make sure you're avoiding vague language. Be specific when you can, and always tie your commentary back to your thesis!

What's Next?

There's a lot more to the AP Language exam than just the synthesis essay. Be sure to check out our expert guide to the entire exam , then learn more about the tricky multiple choice section .

Is the AP Lang exam hard...or is it easy? See how it stacks up to other AP tests on our list of the hardest AP exams .

Did you know there are technically two English AP exams? You can learn more about the second English AP test, the AP Literature exam, in this article . And if you're confused about whether you should take the AP Lang or AP Lit test , we can help you make that decision, too.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Synthesis Essay Writing

Synthesis Essay Examples

13+ Winning Synthesis Essay Examples For Your Inspiration

Understanding What A Synthesis Essay Is

A synthesis essay is a special kind of academic writing where writers blend ideas and information from various sources to create a clear and organized argument.

Unlike other types of essays , a synthesis essay demands the integration of various perspectives to form a new understanding or insight.

It involves critically examining different sources, and synthesizing them to develop a comprehensive viewpoint on a particular topic.

Looking at synthesis essay examples can really help you write a great essay. Here's an example of a synthesis essay to inspire you in your own writing:

Synthesis Essay Outline Example

An outline is just like a table of content sections on a page. It consists of categories and subcategories of a given topic that the writer plans to cover in the essay. Below is a synthesis essay outline template that explains the synthesis essay outline in detail. Have a look at it.

Thesis For Synthesis Essay Example

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How to Write a Synthesis Essay - Example

In order to write a good synthesis paper, you need to follow the format and proper procedure. The synthesis essay has an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs with supportive evidence to back up the topic, and a thesis statement.

And a conclusion paragraph where you answer all the questions while referring back to the main thesis.

Check out this sample template; it will help you learn the basics of synthesis essay structure.

AP English Language and Composition Synthesis Essay Example

The ap lang synthesis essay requires students to analyze information from various sources to discuss the topic of their essay. Refer to the sample AP language synthesis essay to learn how you can write a perfect synthesis essay.

Synthesis Essay Example Ap Lang

2022 Ap Lang Synthesis Essay Example

Synthesis Essay Examples for Different Formats

Knowing how to write synthesis essays in different styles is important. Given below are some examples of synthesis essays in different formats.

APA Format Synthesis Essay Example

APA (American Psychological Association) is a citation style that provides formatting conventions for student and professional papers. Below is a sample example of an APA-style synthesis essay.

MLA Format Synthesis Essay Example

MLA (Modern Language Association) is another referencing style that allows us to cite the sources in a proper format. Here is an MLA-style synthesis essay example to help you learn the basics of this style.

Different Types of Synthesis Essay Examples

Synthesis essays come in various types, each requiring a unique approach. Explore the following synthesis essay examples tailored to different types, offering a comprehensive overview of how to tackle diverse writing tasks:

College Synthesis Essay Example

This sample PDF is to help the college students to learn the outline, format, and structure of the synthesis essay. You can easily download it and save it with you for further usage.

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Example

The explanatory synthesis is intended to explain a particular subject in detail to make it easy to understand for people. Refer to the sample essay given below and see what makes it different from a simple synthesis essay.

Argumentative Synthesis Essay Example

The argumentative synthesis is another type of synthesis essay that is intended to present an argument. The writer presents his claim and supports it with facts and evidence to prove it right. Check out the sample essay given below to understand how it is different from a general argumentative essay.

Eminent Domain Synthesis Essay Example

An eminent domain synthesis essay explores the concept of eminent domain, which is the government's authority to take private property for public use. This type of synthesis essay delves into various aspects of eminent domain, considering legal, ethical, and social perspectives.

Here’s an example:

Synthesis Essay Example About Social Media

This type of synthesis essay explores the impact of social media on individuals and society. It aims to analyze and synthesize information to construct a well-rounded understanding of the role of social media in our lives. Here’s an example of it:

Synthesis Essay Topics - Examples

Choosing a compelling topic is crucial when writing a synthesis essay. Here are some thought-provoking synthesis essay topics that can inspire your writing:

The Impact of Technology on Human Interaction
Climate Change and Global Sustainability
The Role of Social Media in Modern Society
The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Ethics
Education Reform: Challenges and Opportunities
Impact of Social Movements on Policy Change
Healthcare Access: A Global Perspective
Cultural Diversity in the Workplace
The Influence of Literature on Society
The Future of Work: Remote vs. Traditional

Looking for more topics? Check out this blog on synthesis essay topics for inspiration.

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Tips for Writing an Effective Synthesis Essay

Crafting a compelling synthesis essay goes beyond the writing process; it requires strategic planning and meticulous execution. Here are key tips to ensure your synthesis essay stands out:

Select Credible Sources

Begin by choosing reliable and credible sources. Ensure that the information you gather is from reputable authors, organizations, or publications to strengthen the foundation of your essay.

Background Information is Key

Provide sufficient background information on your chosen topic. Help your readers understand the context and significance of the subject matter before delving into your argument.

Develop a Coherent Argument

Focus on building a clear and coherent argument throughout your essay. Ensure that each paragraph contributes to the overall flow and supports your thesis effectively.

Support Your with Evidence

A strong synthesis essay requires a well-supported argument. Back up your claims with evidence from your chosen sources, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the topic.

Utilize Sources to Support Each Other

Instead of treating sources in isolation, highlight their relationships. Demonstrate how each source complements or contrasts with others, emphasizing the interconnectedness of your information.

Synthesis Essay Requires Critical Analysis

Go beyond summarizing your sources; engage in critical analysis. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source and consider their implications for your argument.

Ensure a Supported Argument:

Throughout your essay, consistently reinforce your central argument. Every piece of information should contribute to and reinforce the main thesis, creating a cohesive and persuasive narrative.

In conclusion , tackling synthesis essays is easier than it seems when armed with the right knowledge. Use the tips and examples provided to boost your skills and approach these essays with confidence.

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Guide to Synthesis Essays: How to Write a Synthesis Essay
The writing process for composing a good synthesis essay requires curiosity, research, and original thought to argue a certain point or explore an idea. Synthesis essay writing involves a great deal of intellectual work, but knowing how to compose a compelling written discussion of a topic can give you an edge in many fields, from the social sciences to engineering.
A Guide to Writing an Argument Synthesis Essay
An argument synthesis essay is a critical piece of writing that requires students to analyze and synthesize information from various sources to develop a coherent argument. This type of essay demands a careful examination of multiple perspectives on a given topic and the integration of these viewpoints to construct a well-supported argument.
How to Write a Synthesis Essay: The Ultimate Handbook
Writing a synthesis essay is similar to a compare and contrast essay. It requires a methodical approach to blend information from different sources into a strong and persuasive argument. Here are some crucial steps and tips to help you along the way. Clarify Your Purpose: First, decide if you're writing an explanatory or argumentative synthesis ...
PDF Writing a Synthesis Essay
2. Synthesis is used in: • Analysis papers to examine related theories. • For example a comparison between the theories of evolution or who shot JFK. • Research papers to incorporate multiple sources. • For example looking at economic and social effects of proposed legislation. • Argument papers to compare differing views and support ...
5.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis
5.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis Svetlana Zhuravlova. In academic research and writing, synthesizing of the information from the obtained available resources results in novelty, discovery, reaching to the common sense on a debatable issue, clarifying the perplexity of the subject under the discussion,or making the point on a controversial topic.
PDF STEPS FOR WRITING A SYNTHESIS ESSAY
A synthesis essay uses a variety of sources to form a new idea, answer a question, or defend an argumentative thesis statement. A synthesis does not summarize but shows the connections among the different sources and the writers' ideas. A successful synthesis essay overviews research on the chosen topic, highlights the connections among ...
Academic Guides: Evidence-Based Arguments: Synthesis
Synthesis combines paraphrased information, where the writer presents information from multiple sources. Synthesis demonstrates scholarship; it demonstrates an understanding of the literature and information, as well as the writer's ability to connect ideas and develop an argument. Example Paraphrase. From Allan and Zed (2012, p. 195)
27 How do I Write a Synthesis Essay?
Though the formatting is largely the same, there are two main types of synthesis essays: explanatory and argumentative. 1. Explanatory: The purpose of an explanatory synthesis essay is to use different sources to explain a particular point of view.These synthesis papers objectively examine the similarities and differences between ideas but don't necessarily choose a side or attempt to sway ...
Synthesis Paper
Write an argumentative synthesis essay when the goal of the writing task is to make a claim, not merely inform. Goals of a Synthesis Essay. To share information from multiple sources in order to write thoroughly and accurately on a subject. To use reputable (peer-reviewed or scholarly) sources to ensure the accuracy of the content of the ...
How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay + Example
The synthesis essay requires you to read 6-7 sources and create an argument using at least three sources. The rhetorical analysis essay requires you to describe how a piece of writing evokes specific meanings and symbolism. The argumentative essay requires you to pick a perspective of a debate and create an argument based on the evidence provided.
5.4: Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis
5.4: Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis. In academic research and writing, synthesizing of the information from the obtained available resources results in novelty, discovery, reaching to the common sense on a debatable issue, clarifying the perplexity of the subject under the discussion,or making the point on a controversial topic.
How to Write an Argument Synthesis Essay ️ All-in-One Guide
Be sure to allocate 2-3 sources per point in your argument as it's a sure way to make the argument genuinely synthetic. Otherwise, you risk sounding biased, and your synthesis won't succeed. Don't forget to credit all included sources, as plagiarism is the writer's worst sin.
Synthesizing Sources
Argumentative syntheses seek to bring sources together to make an argument. Both types of synthesis involve looking for relationships between sources and drawing conclusions. In order to successfully synthesize your sources, you might begin by grouping your sources by topic and looking for connections. For example, if you were researching the ...
4.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis
4.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis Svetlana Zhuravlova. In academic research and writing, synthesizing the information from the obtained available resources results in novelty, discovery, reaching the common sense on a debatable issue, clarifying the perplexity of the subject under discussion, or making the point on a controversial topic.
Teaching argumentative synthesis writing through deliberative dialogues
Dialogical argumentation practice contributes positively to argumentative writing skills. Specifically, deliberative dialogues are effective in promoting argument and counterargument integration in students' essays. However, the potential of dialogic activities may be increased if they are combined with instructional practices. The primary objective of this research is to compare the impact of ...
Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis
The five-paragraph essay requires three points, but it does not necessarily require that those points are in conversation with one another. It doesn't necessarily require that a writer represents all sides of an issue. Most writing that you will do in academic essays at the college level require argumentative synthesis.
Synthesizing Sources
Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix. Published on July 4, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan. Revised on May 31, 2023. ... Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument. In an essay or paper, each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what ...
How to Write a Perfect Synthesis Essay for the AP Language Exam
Synthesis Essay AP Lang: What It Is and How It Works. The AP Lang synthesis essay is the first of three essays included in the Free Response section of the AP Lang exam. The AP Lang synthesis essay portion of the Free Response section lasts for one hour total. This hour consists of a recommended 15 minute reading period and a 40 minute writing ...
How to Write an Argumentative Essay
Make a claim. Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim. Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim) Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives. The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays.
13+ Synthesis Essay Examples: Tips & Expert Guidance
Argumentative Synthesis Essay Example; The argumentative synthesis is another type of synthesis essay that is intended to present an argument. The writer presents his claim and supports it with facts and evidence to prove it right. Check out the sample essay given below to understand how it is different from a general argumentative essay.
Well-Written Synthesis Essay Examples
Get multiple synthesis essay examples covering a range of topics. Learn how to craft an introduction, thesis, outlines, or write your entire synthesis essay. ... 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 ...
125 Strong Argumentative Essay Topics For Your Next Paper
The format of an argumentative essay typically consists of three basic elements: An introductory paragraph, stating topic and thesis. Supporting paragraphs, presenting arguments and unique facts. The final paragraph, restating supporting evidence and thesis. The length and complexity of the essay will vary depending on the level of the student ...

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Introduction

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Research and Source Selection

Source Annotation and Analysis

Organizing the Essay

Synthesis of Information

Incorporating Counterarguments

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How to Write the AP Lang Synthesis Essay + Example

What’s Covered:

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt

Step 2: Read the Sources Carefully

Step 3: Write a Strong Thesis Statement

Step 4: Create a Minimal Essay Outline

Step 5: Write your Essay

Here are six must-have tips and tricks to get a good score on the synthesis essay:

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Here is an example prompt and essay from 2019 that received 5 of the 6 total points available:

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What Is an Informative/Explanatory Synthesis?

What Is an Argumentative Synthesis?

First, you start the debate with the assertion that sets the goal for the debate, its controversy:

Then, you are moderating the debate among the experts:

Finally, conclude the discussion and finalize your position:

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