Writing a
Synthesis
Essay
Drew University On-Line Resources for
Writers “Key Features of a Synthesis”
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It accurately reports information
from the sources using different
phrases and sentences;
It is organized in such a way that
readers can immediately see where
the information from the sources
overlap;.
It makes sense of the sources and
helps the reader understand them in
greater depth.
Definition of the form
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Writer is asked to take a position on
a given issue, using multiple
sources. (Sounds like what we’ve
been doing all year!)
Writer makes connections with
sources and personal observations
to support his/her stand on the issue.
How is it done?
Writer
 Clearly promotes an idea,
 Understands how to use a variety of
sources including non-print text
(pictures, etc.),
 Uses this “synthesis” to support that
idea.
How is it done?
Writer
 Uses quotes or phrases to extract
key information.
 Demonstrates understanding in
using the quotes or phrases.
 Uses the quotes to support his/her
opinion/position.
 Uses MLA citation because a writer
NEVER wants to plagiarize.
Remember!
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Synthesis is not merely incorporating
sources.
Synthesis is combining information
from other sources with your opinion!
So, how do I do it?
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Essay must be thesis driven, so form
a thesis based on the prompt.
Use your prewriting time to jot down
ideas that support your thesis.
Highlight information in the sources
that support your thesis so you can
find them later. (Remember
annotating text? Mark it up! Make
comments as you read!)
So, how do I do it?
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Draw on 3 or more sources.
Use different phrases and sentences
to support a central idea - use these
as your quotes.
Only 1 text
-- baaad!
3 or more
texts -goood!
So, how do I do it?

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Make connections
among the sources make sense of the
sources so the reader
has better
understanding.
Make further
connections through
personal observations
and/or theories that
relate to the
information from the
sources.
Think of your connections as branches
on a tree.
Approaches to
Writing the
Synthesis
Essay
#1: Thesis Supported by
Examples
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Base your thesis on
common points among
the works.
Support your thesis
with appropriate
examples from the
works.
Thesis Supported by
Examples
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Answer the question, “What information
must we know in order to understand the
topic, and why?
This strategy is best with essays that
approach the subject with very diverse
viewpoints.
Can seem more like a report than an
argument, so try not to make it sound like
a report.
#2: Compare and Contrast
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Discuss similarities
and differences in
the sources’
viewpoints.
Draw a conclusion
from this
comparison.
Argument: The Most Important
Element!

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You MUST have a clearly defined
opinion on the subject!
Support your opinion with valid
viewpoints of your sources.
Analyze weaknesses of any ideas
you feel are not valid. (Overcome
opposing viewpoints!)
Remember!
 Keep
in mind that your goal is
to support and illustrate your
own ideas with the ideas of
others to make a point.
The Introduction should
help your readers
make a transition
between their own
world and the issues
you will be writing
about;
give your readers the
tools they need to
get into your topic
and care about what
you are saying.
Format - The Introduction
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Usually one paragraph
Contains a one-sentence statement
(thesis) that sums up the focus of the
essay.
Clues reader about major points, how
you will prove your thesis
Also can:
– Introduce the sources, give titles, using
MLA citation.
– Provides names of authors,
– Provides pertinent background about the
authors, texts, or general topic.
Format - The Body
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Organized by theme, point, similarity,
or aspect of the topic.
Each paragraph deals with one
specific point/idea that relates to the
thesis.
Format - Paragraphs
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Begins with a topic sentence - let the
reader know what the paragraph is about.
Includes information from more than one
source.
Indicates where information comes from
with either lead in phrases (Remember
the writing for news and how you
identified sources by attribution such
“According to so and so”?) OR with MLA
citation (use parenthetical).
Format - Paragraphs
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Shows the similarities or differences
between the different sources in
ways that make the paper
informative.
Represents the texts fairly -- even if
that seems to weaken your paper!
Don’t let this happen!
(Cartoon copyright 2001 Pyrczak Publishing. All rights reserved.)
Jeffrey, what you did is called plagiarism not cloning."
A Word About Plagiarism

Accidental
plagiarism most
often occurs when
writers are
synthesizing
sources and do
not indicate where
the synthesis ends
and their own
comments begin!
Format - the Conclusion
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Remind readers of the most
significant themes and how they
connect to the overall topic.
Go beyond a mere summary -- offer
the reader insight into the
significance of the exploration of the
topic.
Format - The Conclusion
Your conclusion provides a
bridge to help your
readers transition back
to their daily lives. A
conclusion helps them
see why all your
analysis and information
should matter to them
after they put the paper
down.
And that is
how you write
a synthesis
essay!