Learn How to Write a Synthesis Essay Step by Step


Read thoroughly: Interpreting texts and drawing new conclusions from what you've read is the backbone of a synthesis essay. You can improve the clarity of your writing by reading extensively, taking notes, and looking up any words or ideas you don't understand.


The structure of a synthesis essay is similar to that of any other essay. It includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, there are some specific elements that are unique to a synthesis essay.

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 stance is in relationship to the topic provided.

Topic Sentence Starters For Essays

Synthesis: The synthesis part of the essay is where the writer brings together information from different sources to support their argument. This means summarizing and analyzing the information from different sources and showing how they support the thesis statement.

This way of framing source synthesis makes it seem less intimidating and more accessible. It also shows the value of each “voice” or source in the discussion and teaches students that they aren’t discussing each source in isolation – there is a larger purpose to their writing, a “big picture” to consider.

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!

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.


How to write a synthesis essay?

Synthesis essay paragraphs should describe information on the chosen topic as clearly and transparently as possible. This type of paper is about 5-6 paragraphs long. The better you study the data in your sources, the more in detail you will be able to describe specific concepts. Try to use different sources to make your writing more extensive and in-depth.

Topic Sentence Starters For Essays

As a result, the ability to analyze and synthesize information became a crucial part of the academic curriculum. This is why students often write synthesis essays. These are some of the most common assignments that a student has to deal with, but that does not mean that everyone knows how to write them. In this blog post, I will provide you with information on what is a synthesis essay, how to write one, and tips to improve your writing skills. I hope that this information will help you out.

Few examples for synthesis sentences include:

A successful synthesis essay should have a clear thesis statement, well-organized paragraphs, evidence from sources, analysis and interpretation of the information presented, acknowledgement of counterarguments, use of transition words and phrases, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points and provides a final thought or call to action.

If you don’t know how to start an essay, you can for your task.

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:

Sentence starters for introducing a new point or idea:

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.

Sentence starters for providing examples or evidence:

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.