1. THE SYNTHESIS ESSAY

2. What is “synthesis”?
“Synthesis” is the combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole.

3. What is a synthesis essay?
A synthesis essay brings together your own ideas with the ideas of other writers, your sources.

4. Process of synthesis writing:
Through research, assemble ideas from various sources (books, journals, Internet)
Develop your own original idea, or thesis, based on these sources

5. Before Writing Collect your sources on the topic
Familiarize yourself with what others have written about the topic
Examine the evidence that other writers have used to support or to argue against the issue
Formulate your own thesis, after reflecting on your research

6. Pre-Write
Using your thesis as a starting point, freewrite, brainstorm, question or map out ideas on the topic
Using the pre-writing material you generate, fill in Essay Question Worksheet.
Note: It is ALWAYS wise to create a short scratch outline for your essays. However, for synthesis essays, this step is essential if you are to clearly and logically organize your multiple sources

7. Synthesis Essay Question Exploration Guide
What is the critical question? How can we look at two different viewpoints of a topic to expand and change our understanding of a topic, modify our own view, or maybe come up with a new view of the topic? 1
What are the key terms and definitions? 2
Sources
Viewpoints
Synthesis
A primary reference – an original article (in this case)
A perspective or position on a topic
Combining different concepts into a new understanding 3
My view of the topic is…
Key Topic
My View
Sources that challenge my view
1. What is my key topic and what do I think about it now?
My view taking into account new information from all sources
A one sentence summary of a position different from my own is…
Sources that reinforce my view
2. What do sources say that reinforce my view?
One main idea from sources that reinforce my view is…
Response
My response to one of the previous ideas is…
Some Ways to Respond:
Dispute
Disagree or agree in part
Agree
Compromise with
Question
Find an alternative
(more)
One main idea from sources that challenge my view is…
Another response to one of the previous ideas is…
3. What is another (opposing) view of the topic?
Another main idea in the sources that reinforce my view is…
Another main idea from sources that challenge my view is…
& /or
A way my view has grown or changed is…
4. What do sources say that challenge my view?
Another main idea in the sources that reinforce my view is…
Another main idea or essential examples from sources that challenge my view is…
& /or
An alternative or compromise is…
Another main idea or essential example from sources that reinforce my view is…
5. How do I respond to the sources, and how does my view grow or change?
Another main idea or essential example from sources that challenge my view is…
& /or
Remaining questions (and possible solutions?) include…

8. Works Cited Page Include a Works Cited page at the end
of the essay, essentially a list of your sources
See below for an example of a good Works Cited page, using MLA style