22 Synthesis Essay Assignment Guidelines

Introduction:

Synthesis means “to combine.” In writing, this translates to combining information and ideas from a variety of sources to make an overall point, highlighting their similarities, differences, and connections. When you synthesize successfully, you ultimately present a new idea based on your interpretation of the evidence or arguments you’ve read/viewed.

For this essay, you will synthesize material from two different modalities on your topic for community change. For instance, if your topic is youth homelessness, you might want to synthesize two of the following:

• a song & a piece of artwork
• a piece of artwork & a video
• a video & a song
• a short article & a poem
• a poem & a song
• a poem & an advertisement
• an advertisement & a short video

There are a lot of combinations to consider—just make sure the two modes are different. That is, do not synthesize two songs, two videos, two articles, etc. If you choose, you may even use the same image you analyzed for the last essay and synthesize that with another modality.

Assignment:

Write an essay 3 to 4 pages in length (about 750 to 1,000 words) that summarizes, analyzes, and synthesizes the information from two different modalities about your topic for community change. In addition to describing/summarizing the sources, you will need to explain how the authors support their claims (create an analysis) and demonstrate your own critical thinking by creating a new perspective that combines ideas gathered from the sources with your own independent ideas (create a synthesis). You should demonstrate your ability to briefly describe/summarize these texts as well as create a thesis statement, incorporate analytical and synthesis points in your thesis, and connect these points to the body of your essay.

Requirements:

• Choose two different types of sources about your specific topic for community change (see above list). You will want to choose sources that present some sort of opinion/unique perspective on your topic; these perspectives can align with your view or differ from your view—or you can choose one from each perspective. Also, choose sources that you know you will be able to write 3 to 4 pages on.
• Begin with an opening that draws readers in and captures their interest. Briefly describe the issue and lead up to a synthesis question that engages your readers with a specific problem that your texts address (one paragraph).
• Briefly describe/summarize each source, taking care to represent the sources’ ideas fairly, and transition into a thesis statement that maps out your main analytical and synthesis points (one paragraph).
•  Develop your analytical points (about one page) to the sources you have described/summarized.
•  Develop your synthesis points (about one page) to the sources you have described/summarized and analyzed.
•  End with an effective conclusion.
• Use attributive tags, parenthetical citations, and integrate direct quotes or paraphrases throughout the body of the essay when needed.
• Create a Works Cited page in MLA format and include it at the end of your essay.
•  Give your essay a title.

Essay Framework & Template

*Framework adapted from ABGW, 6th ed.

If you look at the table above, you will note that the thesis is delayed until the end of the second paragraph. This delay is because you will use the first paragraph to set up the problem and the synthesis question. Remember to use your creative writing skills and grab your reader’s attention with a strong hook. Once you set up a hook, you should transition smoothly into your synthesis question.

The second paragraph focuses on descriptions of your two chosen works and your thesis. You should think of your description section as the way your texts attempt to answer your synthesis question. Begin with the description of one work and then transition smoothly to the description of the next work. Remember to focus briefly on the main argument and then concentrate on the information that connects to your synthesis question.

Once you provide your two descriptions, you should transition to your thesis.

The last paragraph of the essay is the conclusion. The conclusion should effectively end the essay, complementing the introduction and connecting the detailed ideas in the essay’s body back to the larger issue.

Synthesis Essay Thesis Template

• Example (from two sources in the Digital Resource Folder “Homelessness”): Although the Covenant House’s “There is No Place Like Home” PSA and Juliet Kono’s poem, “Homeless,” both identify problems with youth homelessness, the Covenant House’s PSA presents this issue visually from a public perspective whereas Kono’s poem explores this idea from an intimate personal approach. Both sources helped me further understand the devastating effects of homelessness on youth, their families, and the community at large.

NOTE: this thesis has analytical points and synthesis points:

Although the Covenant House’s “There is No Place Like Home” PSA and Juliet Kono’s poem, “Homeless,” both identify problems with youth homelessness, the Covenant House’s PSA presents this issue visually from a public perspective whereas Kono’s poem explores this idea from an intimate personal approach. [analytical points related to both articles]

Both sources helped me further understand the devastating effects of homelessness on youth, their families, and the community at large. [synthesis points]

Although [Source A] and [Source B] both _______ [identify a commonality between the texts by considering how they both address your topic for community change], [Source A] sees _________ whereas [Source B] __________ [identify where the texts differ from each other, how they support each other, or how one text builds upon the ideas of the other]. Both sources made me question/further understand/realize how ______________ [identify what new idea/perspective you’ve come to based on what you’ve read/viewed in these two sources].

Structure of Synthesis Essay

• Introduction & summary of both texts (several paragraphs):

• • Paragraph 1:  Presents the synthesis question and hooks readers. (about ½ page)
  • Paragraph 2:  Describes/summarizes the works, then presents your thesis, which maps out your main analytical & synthesis points. (about ½ page)

• End of Paragraph 2: Thesis (a road map for the rest of your paper):
  • Although [Source A] and [Source B] both _____ [identify a commonality between the texts by considering how they address your topic for community change], [Source A] sees __ Analytical Point A__ whereas [Source B] __Analytical Point B___ [identify where the texts differ from each other, how they support each other, or how one text builds upon the ideas of the other]. Both articles made me question/further understand/realize how ___Synthesis Point C__ [identify what new idea/ perspective you’ve come to based on what you’ve read/seen in these two works].

• Analytical Point A (at least one paragraph – about a ½ page)

• Analytical Point B (at least one paragraph – about a ½ page)

• Synthesis Point C (1 to 2 paragraphs – ½ page to 1 page)

• Concluding paragraph (about ½ page)
  • Reiterates the values and limitations of the texts you have analyzed.
  • Pulls together your new insights.
  • Leaves readers thinking about your views.

• Works Cited page that includes the citations for both sources that you’ve synthesized.

Helpful Tips:

• Complete all preliminary synthesis activities in the order I have assigned them, as they are designed to help you.
•  Complete all readings assigned on the syllabus.
• In addition to the readings on the syllabus, I have scanned a student sample essay to help you.