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Synthesis Essay Writing

Synthesis Essay Topics

Best Synthesis Essay Topics and Prompt Ideas

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Good Synthesis Essay Topics

A synthesis essay involves students gathering information from various sources to create a distinct viewpoint on a specific topic in academic writing.

A strong synthesis essay topic is relevant to your course, embraces diverse sources, and encourages critical analysis. Here are some common synthesis essay topics:

The Impact of Technology on Human Connection
Exploring How Deforestation Contributes to Global Warming
Environmental Sustainability and Its Influence on Consumer Behavior
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Opinion
Analyzing the Relationship Between Air Pollution and Human Health
Balancing Privacy and Technological Advancements in the Digital Age
The Intersection of Nature vs. Nurture in Human Development
The Influence of Media Representation on Social Perceptions
Optimizing Business Productivity in the Digital Age: Strategies, Technologies,
and Impact on Organizational Success
Examining the Effects of Sports on Cultural Dynamics

Synthesis Essay Topics For Students

For students starting with synthesis essays, there are lots of interesting topics to explore.

Whether you're in middle school, high school, or college, these topics are meant to help you think critically and write thoughtfully.

Here are some synthesis essay ideas for students:

Synthesis Essay Topics For Middle School

The Impact of Hobbies on Personal Growth
The Role of Friendship in Adolescent Years
The Influence of Technology on Homework Habits
Exploring Nature vs. Nurture in Teenage Identity
The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Academic Performance
Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media for Middle School Students
The Role of Family in Middle School Development
The Influence of Popular Culture on Middle School Behavior
The Effects of Video Games on Middle Schoolers' Cognitive Skills
The Connection Between Physical Activity and Academic Success in Middle School

Synthesis Essay Topics For High School

Social Media and Teenage Mental Health
The Role of Literature in Shaping Worldviews
The Effects of Part-Time Jobs on Academic Performance
Examining the Role of Gender Stereotypes in Teen Relationships
The Significance of Cultural Diversity in High School Education
The Impact of Advanced Placement (AP) Courses on College Readiness
The Influence of Peer Pressure on High School Decision-Making
Analyzing the Link Between Music Preferences and High School Social Groups
The Role of High School Clubs in Personal Development
Exploring the Impact of Teenage Employment on High School Students

Synthesis Essay Topics For College Students

The Influence of Social Media on Career Choices
The Impact of College Education on Economic Mobility
Balancing Academic and Social Life in College
The Role of Technology in Modern Learning Environments
The Connection Between Mental Health and Academic Performance in College
The Effects of Internships on Career Development for College Students
Analyzing the Impact of Diversity Programs in Higher Education
The Role of Student Organizations in College Networking
The Influence of Cultural Exchanges on College Perspectives
Examining the Relationship Between College Majors and Job Satisfaction

Easy Synthesis Essay Topics

Social media and its influence on the young generation
How is global warming affecting mother earth?
Why do video games teach violence to kids?
How did World War II affect Germany?
Patriarchy vs matriarchy; what are the pros and cons of each
How has technology made this world a global village?
What effect does class size have on the student’s academic performance?
What are the current social issues that need to be highlighted?
Higher education should be free
How does poverty affect a child’s health?
Ethical consideration of testing new drugs on animals
How illiteracy is damaging our society?
Why should we buy essays from a legitimate essay writing service?
Why do students cheat on exams?
Advancement in technology in the last 5 years

Good Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

TV commercials should be considered as an art
Reading a book is way better than listening to an audiobook
It is better to rehabilitate the criminals than to punish them
People should have full control over their future
Is it right to legalize prostitution or should it be illegal?
Why are poor people more likely to end up in a lockup than rich people?
Illegal immigration limits the employment opportunities for the legal residents of the country
Does complaint culture hinder personal happiness?
Is considering business sustainability a must before making a purchase?
How has social media reshaped student life?

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

How to stop the body-shaming culture?
How to rationalize the mind of a religious fanatic?
How violent video games lead to real-life violence
Boys vs girls: who is more powerful?
Why are most of the students reluctant to read coursebooks?
Black and white vs colored TV
Why is smoking becoming so common in teenagers?
The effects of social networking sites on people's life
How has artificial intelligence reduced work opportunities for people?
How social media is a threat to people’s privacy

Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

The benefits of getting an arts education
The benefits technology has brought with the passage of time
How machine learning affects productivity in business
The effects of fossil fuels on the environment
The placement of death penalties in developed countries
What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering?
Why do we need to resolve the issue of overcrowded prisons
How scholarships help poor students get higher education
Does life exist somewhere besides earth?
How saving money help you become rich

Research Synthesis Essay Topics

How is homeschooling at an early age better than sending your kids to a Montessori school?
Should gay marriages be banned or legalized?
Is space exploration vital to the survival of humankind?
Does modern US society give women enough rights as they claim?
Are reality shows on TV actually based on reality?
How can we control internet pornography?
Why are school dress codes mandatory?
What role do security cameras play in the betterment of society?
Does social media make people less social?
What causes the divorce rate to increase in the past few years?

AP Language Synthesis Essay Topics

The boundary line between truth and fiction
How can we defeat poverty once and for all?
Are students distracted by social networking sites?
Explain why money can’t buy happiness
Everyone should learn the basic survival skills
Role of schools and colleges in promoting cultural diversity
How will smart schools benefit the students in the learning process?
Why should students choose literature as a major?
What effects does global warming have on farming?
How to take the culture of body shaming under control?

Funny Synthesis Essay Topics

The Humor in Everyday Life: Exploring the Role of Laughter in Coping Mechanisms.
The Evolution of Internet Memes: A Synthesis of Humorous Online Culture.
The Power of Satire: Analyzing How Comedic Writing Influences Public Opinion.
The Psychology of Stand-Up Comedy: Examining the Connection Between
Humor and Mental Well-being.
The Cultural Impact of Funny Advertisements: A Synthesis of Marketing and Entertainment.
From Slapstick to Satire: Tracing the Development of Humor in Film.
The Social Dynamics of Jokes: How Humor Strengthens Relationships.
The Intersection of Comedy and Technology: Navigating the Digital Age with a Smile.
Laughing Across Borders: Analyzing Cross-Cultural Humor.
The Therapeutic Effects of Laughter: A Synthesis of Humor in Healthcare.

Sports Synthesis Essay Topics

The Role of Sports in Building a Strong Community: A Synthesis of Social Bonds.
The Impact of Athlete Activism: Synthesizing Perspectives on Sports and Social Change.
The Science Behind Sports Nutrition: A Comprehensive Synthesis of Dietary Strategies.
Sports and Education: Examining the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Academic Performance.
The Evolution of Women's Role in Sports: A Synthesis of Gender Equality in Athletics.
The Economics of Sports: Analyzing the Financial Dynamics of Professional Leagues.
The Influence of Sports on Cultural Identity: A Synthesis of National Pride.
Technology in Sports: A Comprehensive Synthesis of Innovation and Performance Enhancement.
The Psychology of Winning: Exploring the Mental Strategies of Successful Athletes.
The Ethics of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports: A Synthesis of Fair Play.

Persuasive Synthesis Essay Topics

The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse: Persuading for Informed Online Conversations.
Climate Change and Policy: Synthesizing Arguments for Sustainable Practices.
The Role of Education in Shaping Social Equality: A Persuasive Synthesis.
The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Behavior: Crafting a Persuasive Synthesis.
Synthesizing Perspectives on Universal Healthcare: Making the Case for Accessible Medical Services.
The Power of Storytelling in Persuasion: A Synthesis of Narrative Techniques.
Gun Control in America: Crafting a Persuasive Synthesis for Safer Communities.
Synthesizing Arguments for Cybersecurity: Persuading for Online Safety Measures.
The Importance of Arts Education: Making the Case for Creative Learning.
Synthesizing Perspectives on Immigration: Crafting a Persuasive Argument for Inclusivity.

Social Media Synthesis Essay Topics

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Synthesis of Research Findings.
Influencer Culture: Examining the Role of Social Media Stars in Shaping Trends.
Synthesizing Perspectives on Online Activism: The Power of Hashtag Movements.
The Evolution of Social Media Platforms: A Comprehensive Analysis of Changing Trends.
The Dark Side of Social Media: A Synthesis of Cyberbullying and Online Harassment.
The Influence of Social Media on Body Image: A Synthesis of Beauty Standards.
Synthesizing Perspectives on Privacy in the Digital Age: Balancing Connectivity and Security.
The Role of Social Media in Political Movements: A Comprehensive Analysis.
Social Media and Relationships: Examining the Impact on Interpersonal Connections.
The Business of Social Media: A Synthesis of Marketing Strategies in the Digital Landscape.

Synthesis Essay Prompts

Synthesis essays demand a unique blend of analytical skills and creativity. Here are some thought-provoking prompts for your synthesis essay:

The Impact of Technology on Human Connection: Synthesize viewpoints on how technological advancements affect interpersonal relationships in the digital age.
Environmental Sustainability and Economic Growth: Explore the synthesis of information on how environmental practices can contribute to or hinder economic development.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Society: Synthesize perspectives on the benefits and challenges posed by the increasing integration of AI in our daily lives.
Media Influence on Public Opinion: Analyze and synthesize information regarding how media shapes public perception and influences societal attitudes.
The Relationship Between Education and Social Mobility: Synthesize insights on how education can impact an individual's social and economic trajectory.
The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Explore various perspectives on the ethical implications of genetic manipulation in fields like medicine and agriculture.
Globalization and Cultural Identity: Synthesize viewpoints on how globalization affects the preservation or evolution of cultural identities around the world.
The Impact of Social Media on Political Activism: Analyze and synthesize information on how social media platforms contribute to political movements and activism.
The Intersection of Science and Ethics: Synthesize perspectives on how scientific advancements raise ethical dilemmas and societal considerations.
The Effects of Urbanization on the Environment: Explore and synthesize information on the environmental consequences of rapid urban development.

Synthesis Essay Prompts AP Lang

In the AP Lang course, synthesis essays play a crucial role in assessing students' ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources.

Here are some AP synthesis essay topics:

The Impact of Digital Communication on Language Synthesize information from diverse sources to explore how the rise of digital communication platforms has influenced language use and communication styles.
The Intersection of Technology and Privacy Analyze and synthesize perspectives on the trade-offs between technological advancements and individual privacy rights in the digital age.
Environmental Sustainability and Consumer Behavior Explore the synthesis of information on how consumer choices and behaviors impact environmental sustainability, considering perspectives from various sources.
The Role of Education in Social Equality Synthesize insights on how educational systems contribute to or challenge social equality and opportunities for diverse socioeconomic groups.
Media Representation and Social Perceptions Analyze and synthesize information on how media portrayals influence societal perceptions of individuals or groups, examining potential biases and stereotypes.

Synthesis Essay Prompts College Board

As outlined by the College Board, synthesis essays are a key component of the writing assessment. Below are sample prompts that align with the expectations set by the College Board for synthesis essays:

The Impact of Social Media on Civic Engagement Synthesize information from various sources to analyze the role of social media in shaping civic engagement and political participation.
The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Explore perspectives on the ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence, synthesizing information on its potential benefits and risks.
Globalization and Cultural Identity Synthesize insights from diverse sources to examine the impact of globalization on cultural identity, considering both preservation and transformation.
The Influence of Historical Events on Contemporary Society Analyze and synthesize information on how historical events continue to shape and influence contemporary social, political, or economic structures.
The Role of Science in Ethical Decision-Making Explore the synthesis of perspectives on how scientific advancements present ethical challenges and considerations in decision-making.

How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic?

Now that you have a synthesis essay topic list, you must be wondering about how to choose the best topic for your essay. Here are the tips that will help you choose a topic for your synthesis paper:

Interesting Idea

Choose a topic that interests you the most as you have to do thorough research on it.

If you choose a topic of your interest, you’re more likely to spend time researching and writing a synthesis essay.

Focused Topic

Avoid choosing a general topic like cyberbullying, global warming, cybersecurity, etc.

These types of topics are too general and may not convey exactly what you really want to tell your audience. Instead, choose a focused topic that is specific to a point and allows you to create a complete essay.

Debatable and Negotiable Topic

Choose an interesting topic that is debatable as well as negotiable at the same time.

People take more interest in these kinds of essays where they are allowed to present their point of view. Pick a topic that gives you room for reasonable changes.

Synthesis Essay Writing Tips

When you write an essay, keep the following tips in your mind to make your essay flawless.

Choose a good synthesis essay prompt by considering the tips given above.
Find touchpoints between different standpoints to make an organic synthesis.
Spare some time for research to collect credible information about the topic from several sources
Evaluate each source and present a relationship between the material collected through research.
Read some synthesis essay examples to understand the format of the essay.
Craft a synthesis essay outline to synthesize the information
Work out the main statement of your essay that is the thesis statement.
Develop an organizational plan and write a rough draft.
Cite your sources by using MLA or Chicago style formatting.
Proofread and edit your essay to ensure that it is logical, clear, and concise from the beginning through the end. Correct all the punctuation, grammatical, and spelling mistakes.

You now have lots of great synthesis essay topics to choose from, making it easy to get started on your writing.

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Our professional writers are experts at creating top-notch synthesis essays on any topic.

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Are you assigned to examine any idea on the basis of multiple sources, but don’t know what synthesis essay topics to choose? If yes, don’t go any further! We've taken this challenge head-on, curating an expansive list of riveting topics for synthesis essays across diverse domains. Whether your interest lies in technology, education, art, or beyond, this blog post is your ticket to a compelling synthesis essay.

We've sifted through the mundane to offer synthesis ideas that will inspire you. But remember, choosing the perfect topic is just the beginning. When it's time to transform your thoughts into a coherent essay, our team is here to help you. Get matched with the best essay writer online who will take care of your writing task.

What Are Synthesis Essay Topics?

Topics for a synthesis essay draw from two or more sources and combine them to make a unique argument. For example, you might be asked to analyze multiple published works to prove that one author used ideas from another. You could also use sources such as primary documents, speeches, and research papers to craft an argument about a particular event in time.

In these terms, synthesis essay ideas are very much similar to argumentative essay topics . It’s just that you must include more than one resource to make your argument stronger.

A synthesis essay topic not only demands an understanding of several perspectives. Your task here is to synthesize, or blend together these differing views to create a well-rounded point. You should engage deeply with material to recognize biases, and to appreciate the complexity of different viewpoints.

How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic?

When you’re trying to pick the right synthesis essay topic, look for one that reflects your own passion. Make sure you can access enough material to analyze various perspectives. Here are more tips for choosing an ideal synthesis essay topic:

Follow your interests Always start with what piques your curiosity. The more interested you are in a topic, the more motivated you will be during the writing process. And trust us, your enthusiasm will shine through in your essay!
Seek complexity Good topics for a synthesis essay should be complex and open to interpretation. It’s important to select topics that involve multiple views, and can accommodate a variety of opinions.
Identify the context When exploring synthesis essay ideas, it is imperative to understand the context in which they are being discussed. Researching both sides of the argument can help you better identify the underlying ideas.
Narrow the scope down It is important to narrow down your synthesis essay topic to make it more digestible. You don’t have to cover every single aspect of a broad subject – two or three points should be enough.
Be original Last but not least, make sure to choose a unique topic. Your professor might have heard of the same argument before, so try to pick something distinct.

Good Synthesis Essay Topics

Good topics for synthesis papers are those that can be argued in a logical manner and facilitate a thorough examination. A great topic allows you to interweave ideas, concepts, and narratives. Discover your perfect match from our handpicked selection of synthesis essay topic ideas:

Future of remote work post-pandemic.
Impact of electric vehicles on the oil industry.
Influences shaping modern architectural design.
Role of influencers in digital marketing.
Fast fashion's contribution to environmental degradation.
Genetically modified crops and food safety.
Holistic wellness vs traditional medicine.
Use of drones in agriculture.
eSports rise as a mainstream entertainment.
Impact of homeschooling on social skills.
Virtual reality in healthcare training.
Cashless society and financial inclusion.
Influence of language on cultural identity.
Social implications of gene editing technologies.
Psychedelics for mental health treatments.

Easy Synthesis Essay Topics

If you’re looking for synthesis essay topics that don’t require too much research, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are some simple synthesis topics:

Music's influence on workout intensity.
Reality TV's impact on societal values.
Online dating and changing relationship norms.
Print media vs digital media consumption.
Plastic bans and alternatives for sustainability.
Video games' role in cognitive development.
Social media's impact on body image.
Role of pets in reducing stress.
Laughter as a form of therapy.
Online shopping and consumer behavior.
Yoga's benefits for mental health.
Caffeine's role in boosting performance.
Green spaces and urban well-being.
Home cooking vs processed food consumption.
Use of technology in managing time.

Interesting Synthesis Essay Topics

Are you looking for some interesting topics to write a synthesis essay on? Don’t search any further. Get inspired by these engaging synthesis essay topics:

Hyperloop technology and future travel.
Autonomous vehicles and city infrastructure.
Impact of microtransactions in gaming.
Podcasts transforming traditional storytelling.
Use of Augmented Reality in advertising.
Quantum computing and data security.
Role of meme culture in online communication.
Minimalism lifestyle combating consumerism.
Role of bioluminescence in deep-sea exploration.
Significance of street art in urban culture.
Use of CRISPR technology in disease prevention.
Exploring potential of renewable energy storage.
Role of meditation in stress management.
Understanding sleep and its effects on health.
Plant-based diets and their ecological significance.

Fun Synthesis Essay Topics

It is important to remember that a synthesis essay should still be informative and argumentative. However, it can also be fun at the same time! Here are some of the most enjoyable synthesis essay prompt ideas:

Animated films' impact on child psychology.
Role of superheroes in shaping ethics.
Food trucks driving culinary innovation.
Comedy's role in stress relief.
Board games vs video games for family bonding.
Influence of astrology on decision-making.
Impact of stand-up comedy on social discourse.
Selfie culture and self-expression.
Role of festivals in cultural preservation.
Celebrity endorsements and consumer choice.
Adventure tourism boosting local economies.
Role of magic tricks in cognitive development.
Online streaming platforms reshaping entertainment.
Role of comic strips in early reading.
Virtual reality and the future of gaming.

Best Synthesis Essay Topics

The world of synthesis paper topics is vast and varied. You can write about anything from the evolving culture of music festivals to the history of gender roles in film. Below we have compiled some of our favorite synthesis essay topics for you:

Digital nomad lifestyle revolutionizing work.
Microplastics and human health risks.
Role of apps in habit formation.
Evolution of language in digital age.
Zero waste movement and consumerism.
Color psychology in marketing and branding.
Effect of solitude on creativity.
Wearable tech and healthcare advancements.
Blue light exposure and sleep health.
Tiny houses and sustainable living.
Influence of TikTok on youth culture.
Benefits of intergenerational friendships.
Impacts of personal finance education.
Meal prep culture and health impacts.
Role of urban farming in food security.

Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis assignments can be informative pieces that provide readers with an understanding of a particular topic. Start exploring the following synthesis essay topics for your next assignment:

Advancements in healthcare through robotics.
Climate change and polar ice meltdown.
Conservation possibilities with eco-tourism.
Balancing benefits and risks of desalination plants.
Music's influence on brain functionality.
GMO foods debate.
Cryptocurrency in the evolving global economy.
Nanotechnology's breakthroughs in medicine.
High-speed rail transforming travel experiences.
Telemedicine and the democratization of healthcare access.
Biodiversity's significance in ecosystems.
3D printing revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.
Digital marketing trends that shape businesses.
Autonomous drones reshaping delivery services.
Artificial intelligence in advanced data analysis.

>> Read more: Informative Writing Topics

Synthesis Essay Ideas for Students

If you’re a student, then it’s likely that you’ll be asked to write about synthesis topics at some point in your academic career. Our comprehensive list of synthesis topics for essays is categorically organized by academic level to guide you effortlessly through your selection process. Whether you're a high school student or pursuing higher education, we offer a wealth of synthesis project ideas and topics across diverse fields of interest.

Synthesis Essay Topics for High School Students

High school is the perfect time to explore and be creative with synthesis essay topics. Scroll down to find some good prompts for your high school paper:

Dystopian literature reflecting societal fears.
Body positivity in modern media.
Social media shaping teen behavior.
Fast food culture and lifestyle changes.
Space exploration and human potential.
Reality TV's sway over perception.
Online learning in the post-pandemic world.
Mythology influences popular culture.
Graphic novels' role in literature.
Digital art revolutionizes creative expression.
Influences shaping modern music trends.
Smartphone addiction and its consequences.
Privacy issues in a digital era.
Rise in youth activism worldwide.
Artificial intelligence transforming everyday life.

College synthesis essay topics should offer more depth ans challenge critical thinking skills. They enable you to showcase your ability to navigate complex ideas, analyze various sources, and synthesize a compelling argument. We gathered some good ideas fitting a college level:

Ethical debates around genetic engineering.
Cryptocurrencies disrupting traditional finance.
Mental health discourse in social media.
Fusion energy as a sustainable power source.
Cybersecurity in an interconnected world.
Machine learning's transformative capabilities.
Influencer marketing and consumer decisions.
Multiculturalism reshaping global societies.
Pros and cons of universal basic income.
Ecofeminism and its significance today.
Data privacy in the age of big data.
E-sports rise in mainstream culture.
Telecommuting reshaping work culture.
Biohacking and human enhancement debates.
Virtual reality in education and training.

Synthesis Essay Topics by Subject

Below, we’ve divided up synthesis essay topics into different categories. While they are all related to academics, each section offers unique perspectives that you can use for your paper.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Technology

Topics for a synthesis essay on technology bring forward the latest advancements, ethical debates, and potential implications of rapidly evolving tech realms. Tech topics offer a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology with various aspects of life.

Ethics in facial recognition technologies.
Blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies.
Tech start-up culture and innovation.
Augmented reality in everyday life.
Deepfakes and information integrity.
Machine learning in weather forecasting.
Internet of Things in smart cities.
Neural networks transforming AI.
Tech advancements in renewable energy.
Gamification in education and training.
Biometric technology and personal security.
Quantum computing's potential and challenges.
Big data analytics in healthcare.
Cyber warfare and national security.
Virtual reality in mental health therapy.

>> View more: Political Topics to Write About

Topics for Synthesis Essays on Political Systems

Politics are closely intertwined with society, economics, and history. Ideas for synthesis essays in this domain cover topics such as democracy, communism, anarchism, and socialism.

Democracy versus authoritarianism.
Political impacts of social media.
Welfare states and economic growth.
Globalization and national sovereignty.
Populism in 21st-century politics.
Electoral reforms for fair representation.
Role of lobbying in policy making.
Politicization of climate change.
Political ideologies and income inequality.
Rise of right-wing politics.
Influence of nationalism on global peace.
Gender representation in politics.
Direct democracy: feasibility and implications.
Impact of political instability on economies.
Secularism and religious freedom in politics.

Global Economy Synthesis Essay Topics

The global economy is an ever-evolving and interconnected system of diverse markets. Synthesis essay topics in economics should explore current economic issues, their causes, and potential solutions.

Globalization and local economies.
Role of BRICS in the global economy.
Impacts of Brexit on European economy.
China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Future of work in the digital age.
Trade wars and their economic implications.
Carbon credits and global warming.
Income inequality in a global context.
E-commerce and traditional marketplaces.
Global recession and recovery strategies.
Cryptocurrencies and financial systems.
Economic impact of climate change.
Automation and the future job market.
Impact of COVID-19 on the global economy.
Fair trade practices and global poverty.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Education

Education is one of the most important aspects of student life. Education topics for synthesis essays can focus on how the educational system should be reformed or what changes need to be made.

Online learning and traditional classrooms.
Homeschooling versus public education.
Gamification in learning environments.
Mental health awareness in schools.
Impact of standardized testing.
Lifelong learning and career development.
Role of AI in personalized learning.
Education policies and social inequality.
Inclusion of ethnic studies in curricula.
Emotional intelligence in education.
MOOCs and access to higher education.
Value of liberal arts education.
School uniforms and student identity.
Role of arts in cognitive development.
Teacher's role in the digital age.

Literature Synthesis Essay Topics

Literature topic ideas for a synthesis essay focus on analyzing various literary works and evaluating their relevance to society. They help you understand how different literary components interact to create an effect.

Magical realism in Latin American literature.
Gothic elements in modern fiction.
Feminist themes in classic literature.
Postcolonial narrative in African literature.
Shakespeare's influence on modern drama.
Role of dystopia in YA literature.
Symbolism in American transcendentalist poetry.
Stream of consciousness in modernist literature.
Mythical allusions in fantasy literature.
Existential themes in absurdist literature.
Tragedy and comedy in ancient Greek plays.
Hero's journey in epic literature.
Haiku's influence on modern poetry.
Literary devices in detective fiction.
Postmodernism in contemporary literature.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Art

Art is a mirror of society as it reflects its values, beliefs, and ideologies. Synthesis paper ideas on art offer an excellent opportunity to reflect on works of art, their role in culture, and the purpose they serve.

Surrealism in modern digital art.
Graffiti: Street art or vandalism?
Renaissance influence on contemporary painting.
Art Nouveau and its aesthetic principles.
Role of photography in documenting history.
Cubism and its impact on modern design.
Body art as a form of self-expression.
Architecture's evolution through history.
Impressionism's influence on cinematography.
Minimalism in graphic design.
Pop art and consumer culture.
Role of music in cultural exchange.
Feminist messages in performance art.
Art therapy and mental health.
Animation as a form of storytelling.

Topics for Synthesis Essays on Religion

Religion has been a major influence on societies and cultures for centuries. Synthesis essay topics about religion explore the role of faith in society, evaluate its impact on individuals, and analyze religious beliefs and practices.

Religious pluralism in multicultural societies.
Secularism versus religious state governance.
Buddhism's influence on Western psychology.
Role of religion in conflict resolution.
New age spirituality and traditional faiths.
Religion and its role in identity formation.
Islam's influence on Middle Eastern architecture.
Religious symbolism in literary works.
Atheism in the 21st century.
Christian themes in popular music.
Religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
Indigenous religions and environmental stewardship.
Women's roles in different faith traditions.
Religion in science fiction literature.
Hindu philosophy's impact on yoga culture.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Social Media

Synthesis essay topics on social media offer an exciting opportunity to analyze the impact of digital platforms on our interactions, behaviors, and societal norms. These topics prompt a deep dive into how social media has transformed communication, commerce, and even politics. Here are some awesome synthesis essay questions for your consideration:

Rise of ephemeral content : Snapchat and beyond.
E-commerce trends on Instagram.
Digital activism and social justice.
Social media's role in digital art promotion.
Facebook's effect on personal relationships.
The boom of live streaming on platforms like Twitch.
Hashtags and online social movements.
Political campaigning on Twitter.
Self-branding on LinkedIn: A necessity or choice?
The shift towards audio: Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces.
Social media's role in shaping news.
Social media's effect on productivity.
TikTok and the short video revolution.
Reddit and the culture of niche communities.
Augmented reality features.

Society Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis essay prompts on society allow you to dive into the intricacies of social norms, cultural dynamics, and human behavior. These topics offer a gateway to evaluate societal issues, behaviors, and trends. Explore these outstanding topics to get a broader perspective on societal matters:

Urbanization and its consequences.
Aging population: Implications and challenges.
Consumerism and its influence on society.
Cultural assimilation versus cultural preservation.
Gender dynamics in the workplace.
Migration patterns and cultural exchange.
Rural life versus urban living.
LGBTQ+ rights and societal acceptance.
Youth culture and pop culture influence.
The influence of celebrities on societal norms.
Body positivity movement and societal standards.
Intersectionality in modern feminist movements.
Ethical consumption and societal trends.
Role of sports in societal bonding.
The digital divide: A societal challenge.

>> View more: Social Science Topics

Synthesis Essay Topics on Culture

Culture influences how we interact with one another and the world around us. When working in this field, you can explore how different aspects of culture interact to shape our lives, beliefs, values, and attitudes. Consider these synthesis essay topic ideas related to culture:

Globalization and its impact on local cultures.
Role of food in cultural identity.
Cultural representation in mainstream cinema.
Anime's influence beyond Japan.
Hip-hop as a cultural movement.
Cultural appropriation versus cultural exchange.
Tourism and its effect on indigenous cultures.
Cultural heritage preservation and challenges.
Fashion trends inspired by cultural elements.
Role of language in cultural preservation.
Cultural symbolism in architecture.
The rise of global pop culture.
Subcultures and countercultures: A societal analysis.
The influence of Hispanic culture on American society.
Cultural dimensions of body art and tattoos.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Ethics and Morality

Synthesis essay ideas on ethics and morality challenge you to explore philosophical dilemmas, societal values, and the human conscience. Take a glance at these ideas if you need to synthesize information in your essay on ethics :

Utilitarianism in contemporary decision-making.
Veganism as an ethical lifestyle choice.
Ethical implications of genetic engineering.
Business ethics in the digital age.
Morality in AI: Future challenges.
The ethics of capital punishment.
Physician-assisted suicide: A moral dilemma.
Animal rights and ethical treatment.
Ethics of privacy in the digital world.
Morality in children's literature.
Ethical issues in cosmetic surgery.
The moral implications of censorship.
Ethics of organ trafficking and transplantation.
The morality of war and conflict.
Ethical considerations in psychological research.

Synthesis Essay Topic Ideas on Criminal Justice

Criminal justice has been at the heart of societal debates in recent years. Start your investigative journey with these debatable and controversial topics for synthesis essay:

Community policing and crime prevention.
Juvenile justice system: Reformation needs.
Influence of media on public perception of crime.
Mental health issues in the criminal justice system.
The role of forensics in crime-solving.
Rehabilitation versus punishment: Which is more effective?
Cybercrime and its rising threat.
Immigration laws and criminal justice.
Racial bias in the criminal justice system.
Crime rates and socioeconomic status correlation.
The ethics of solitary confinement.
The death penalty: A deterrent or a violation?
Restorative justice : An alternative approach.
Human trafficking: Laws and prevention.
The evolution of criminal profiling.

>> More ideas: Criminal Justice Essay Topics

Immigration Topics for a Synthesis Essay

Immigration topics for a synthesis essay can be multifaceted and complex. You can explore the history of immigration, its economic benefits and drawbacks, or the societal impact of this movement on individuals and communities.

Asylum policies and human rights issues.
Economic implications of immigrant labor.
Immigration's role in cultural diversity.
The dreamers: DACA and its future.
Immigration policies in post-Brexit UK.
The border wall debate: USA and Mexico.
Impact of immigration on urban development.
Immigration and its influence on global cuisine.
Integration challenges faced by immigrants.
Refugees and international responsibility.
The brain drain phenomenon: Causes and consequences.
Immigration and public health concerns.
Anti-immigration sentiments and nationalism.
The effect of climate change on immigration patterns.
Immigration laws: A comparative study.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Healthcare

The healthcare sector has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing with it new ethical and moral dilemmas. Healthcare topics for synthesis essays might explore the role of medical science and technology in providing better care and quality of life to patients.

Rise of personalized medicine.
Vaccination policies: A global perspective.
Nutrition trends and public health outcomes.
Role of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Mental health stigma in different societies.
Health implications of sleep deprivation.
The surge of holistic health practices.
Ethical issues in gene editing technologies.
Healthcare disparities in rural vs urban areas.
The rising challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Yoga and mindfulness: Implications for healthcare.
Climate change and disease spread.
Biomedical engineering for healthcare solutions.
The evolution of surgery: From invasive to minimally invasive techniques.
The debate around universal healthcare.

>> View more: Health Topics to Research

Mental Health Synthesis Essay Topics

Mental health is a crucial element of overall wellbeing. This being said, synthesis paper ideas explore how our society can address issues related to mental health. From understanding the causes of stress and burnout to evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, these topics will help you develop an argumentative essay that sheds light on mental health.

Efficacy of online therapy platforms.
The influence of childhood trauma on adult mental health.
Workplace policies for mental health support.
Role of art therapy in mental health treatment.
Impact of social isolation on mental health.
Decriminalization of suicide attempts.
Mental health representation in mainstream media.
The intersectionality of mental health, race, and gender.
Mindfulness practices and their impact on anxiety.
The rise of eating disorders among adolescents.
Stigmatization of mental health in schools.
The role of school counselors in early detection of mental health issues.
Ethical considerations in psychiatric medication.
Mental health first aid: Necessity and implementation.
PTSD in military personnel: Addressing the silent battle.

>> Learn more: Mental Health Research Topics

Synthesis Essay Topics on Global Warming

Global warming is a pressing issue that provides many ideas to be synthesized. Choose one of these synthesis topics to write a paper that provides facts, evidence, and analysis of global warming issues.

Climate change refugees: A growing concern.
Global warming and its influence on ocean currents.
Carbon footprint: Individual responsibility vs corporate accountability.
Deforestation and its role in global warming.
Technological solutions for reversing global warming.
Impact of global warming on agriculture and food security.
Renewable energy in combating global warming.
Polar ice melting: Consequences and solutions.
International cooperation in addressing global warming.
The relationship between urbanization and global warming.
Greenhouse gases: Identifying the biggest culprits.
Global warming and the increase in extreme weather events.
The role of lifestyle changes in reducing global warming.
Economic implications of global warming.
Education as a tool for global warming awareness and action.

Synthesis Essay Topics on the American Dream

The American Dream is an idea that has been present in the United States since its formation. Synthesis essay topics on this concept explore how people strive for freedom, success, and personal fulfillment despite socio-economic and racial inequalities.

The American Dream in literature: A reflection of societal values.
Race and the American Dream: An in-depth analysis.
The American Dream and income inequality.
The role of immigration in shaping the American Dream.
Women and the American Dream: A historical perspective.
The American Dream in the digital age.
Relevance of the American Dream to millennials.
The impact of the 2008 financial crisis on the American Dream.
The American Dream: A global perspective.
How the American Dream influences U.S. foreign policy.
Sustainability and the American Dream.
The American Dream and its effect on the education system.
Influence of the American Dream on popular culture.
The evolution of the American Dream throughout the 20th century.
The pursuit of the American Dream: Inspiration or pressure?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Drug Abuse

The misuse and abuse of drugs have serious consequences, both for individuals and society. Consider these synthesis essay topic ideas on drug abuse:

Role of peer pressure in initiating drug use.
Prescription drug abuse: A hidden crisis.
Drug abuse education in schools: Success and shortcomings.
The correlation between mental health issues and drug abuse.
Rehabilitation vs. punishment for drug abusers.
Effectiveness of public health campaigns against drug abuse.
The role of socioeconomic factors in drug abuse.
Opioid crisis: Causes and implications.
Influence of media portrayal on drug abuse.
Drugs and violence: An intricate relationship.
Decriminalization of drugs: Pros and cons.
Role of family in preventing and treating drug abuse.
Substance abuse among healthcare professionals.
The impact of drug abuse on the economy.
Strategies for early detection and intervention of drug abuse.

Food and Nutrition Synthesis Essay Topics

Food and nutrition have always been major topics of interest in academic research, since the way we eat affects our health. Here , you could study the role of diet in human wellbeing and how it can be improved to promote a healthier lifestyle.

Genetically modified foods: Boon or bane?
The impact of fast food culture on public health.
Food labeling: Understanding what we eat.
Vegetarianism and veganism: Health and environmental implications.
Nutrition disparities in low-income communities.
The rise of organic farming: A healthier choice?
Understanding eating disorders: Anorexia and bulimia.
Diet and mental health: An unexplored connection.
The role of government in regulating food quality.
The cultural impact on dietary habits.
The Keto diet: Hype or a real solution?
Food allergies: Understanding the increase.
The sugar debate: Its impact on health.
Nutritional needs across the lifespan.
The role of diet in disease prevention.

Sports Synthesis Essay Topics

Sports have always been a vital part of our culture. Synthesis paper topics on sports explore how different aspects of society are affected by sporting activities.

Gender equality in sports: Progress and roadblocks.
The societal impact of the Olympics.
Role of sports in promoting physical and mental health.
Steroid use in sports: Ethical implications.
The influence of sports celebrities on youth.
Economic implications of major sports events.
Role of sports in fostering international relations.
How sports can play a role in education.
Racial discrimination in professional sports.
The psychology of sports: The impact on athletes.
Commercialization in sports: Pros and cons.
Sports and media: A powerful partnership.
Role of sports in promoting social inclusion.
Effect of emerging technology on sports.
Youth sports programs in communities.

If you ever need more topics on other disciplines, refer to our blog for some great ideas. From persuasive essays topics to evaluation essay topics , we have a full assortment of suggestions fitting any assignment.

Bottom Line on Synthesis Topic Ideas

Synthesis essays are a great way to explore various topics related to culture, society, and ethics. From exploring ethical business practices to understanding the implications of digital technology on contemporary life, these synthesis essay topic ideas provide plenty of food for thought! Pick any of these ideas to get started on your task.

If you're still feeling stumped or pressed for time, our expert writing team is here to assist you. Just send us your request, and rest assured that you'll receive a top-notch synthesis essay on any topic you choose. Order essay online now and let us make your academic journey a little bit easier.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

100 Synthesis Essay Topics That Are Easy to Write

Are you looking for some inspiring synthesis essay topics? Then you are not alone: numerous students all over the world are doing the exact same thing. Synthesis essays are a common assignment in colleges and universities: they are a piece of writing where you explore a topic by drawing information from several different sources at once, using them to paint a complete and objective picture of the chosen issue.

It is helpful because you learn how to research and apply different sources of data at once, differentiating between bias and rationality in them. It’s a useful skill to have both in academic environment and life in general, so it is understandable why your professors want you to succeed in acquiring it. The problem is, to get a good mark, you should choose a winning topic first. And that’s where real difficulties appear: where to find it? How to make it interesting and how to avoid getting bored as you start working on it? We’ll provide you with these answers below.

Guide for Learning How to Choose Good Synthesis Topics

The first main question we should answer is, what are the tips for selecting an effective topic for a synthesis paper? All your other choices will depend on it. For example, you cannot start looking for sources before you know what they should be dedicated to. In fact, you might realize you won’t get an acceptable grade even before you do any work at all! Bad or uninspiring topic is a recipe for disaster. Here are four ways to avoid it.

Understand the topic you’re choosing. It is important to choose a topic that you enjoy and understand both. Otherwise, you’ll just frustrate yourself by trying to make sense of a subject that feels overly complex or boring. Who needs to spend hours on research? If you cannot grasp the topic, you cannot recognize good and bad points, so the whole writing process turns into a complete disaster. Pick among synthesis essay prompts that speak to you and reflect your interests: they could be related to your hobby, favorite subject, a beloved book or TV show, or even family.
Choose a perspective. Before you start research by sorting through different articles, you need to settle on a perspective. Remember, synthesis essays are all about combining different sources to explore a specific point. So first, you should choose what it’s going to be. Will you argue against a subject? Are you planning on supporting it? You could use this advice as a starting point for finding a topic: are there things you strongly agree or disagree with? Maybe there are online discussions you participated in recently where you stayed up late to argue? This could supply you with fresh and engaging ideas!
Locate sources in advance. If several topics for synthesis essays are already rolling in your mind, look for sources on them. You should make sure that there are enough credible articles with DOI or books dedicated to your subject. If you cannot find anything new and trustworthy, it is better to chance the topic and look for another option,
Verify your choice. If you are almost certain what you’d like writing about, discuss it with your professor. They should decide whether your choice is acceptable. If they don’t require this, talk with classmates or friends to ensure your theme sounds academic enough.

100 Inspiring Synthesis Paper Topics

Still looking for an idea as the feeling of hopelessness grows? No worries: we’ve got you covered. The list below has 100 different topics that could serve as a basis for your synthesis essay. They are further broken into ten big categories — in accordance with our survey, most students prefer to write about them, so this might make your choice easier. Read these options, copy the ones you like, and consider basing your paper on them.

Social Media and Technology Topics

Who doesn’t use social media these days? It became a valuable part of our lives and is used now not only for entertainment but also work, studying, etc. Most students will relate to synthesis essay ideas about it.

How Did Ways of Earning Money Change with the Emergence of Platforms like YouTube?
Marrying Someone You Met Online: Reality or Myth?
Is There Such Thing as Privacy in the Internet?
Evolution of People’s Communication Habits After Appearance of Social Media
How Does Instagram Affect Global Beauty Standards?
Technologies Made Our Lives Easier: Combination of Benefits
Work Changed Under Technological Influence: New Possibilities
Technology Facilitated Abuse of Employees’ Free Time
Why Video Games Are Such a Popular Entertainment Practice
Cheating in Classes Became More Possible with Technology

Education Synthesis Essay Ideas

Young people from all countries are concerned about their education. Explanatory synthesis essay topics below could help you explore quality, price, and overall value issues.

American Education Is One of the Most Expensive Education Worldwide
What Lies Behind the Concept of Pre-School?
Why College Is the Goal of Many Young People
Why Finding a Good Job Is Easier With Master’s Degree
Lack of Tolerance Among College Professors: What Causes It and How Frequent It Is
Who Invented Homework & What Its Purpose Is
Technology Applied in Classroom: A Threat or a Treat?
An Ideal Number of Students Per Classroom
Role of Sport in American Education System
Free Education: How Good It Is & On Which Principles It Functions

Synthesis Essays Toopics on Health and Medicine

It is difficult to find a person who wouldn’t be concerned about their health in the CODI year. Find related synthesis topics to write about.

How the Nature of Coronavirus Evolved Over 2020
Who Invented Medical Masks & Why They Are Helpful
Correlation between Poverty and Poor Health
Free Healthcare in the World: Where Is It Present and How Does It Work?
Testing Drugs on Animals: How It Started & Why It Keeps Happening
Discuss Healthcare Act in the US along with Its Background
People Who Work From Home and Level of Their Physical Activity
Age Limit for Cosmetic Surgeries
Discuss Common Views on Allowing People with Genetic Disorders to Reproduce
Suicide Prevention Line: How Useful Is It?

Society Issues

As a society, we have our share of problems and victories. Synthesis essay topic ideas could help explore them in more depth.

Abuse at the Workplace: What Starts It and How It Should Be Stopped
Why Death Penalty Remains a Controversial Issue in America
Parents Who Hire Nannies to Look After Their Children: Do They Fail as Parents?
Stereotypes Surrounding Violence Men Suffer From Women
What Positions Immigrants Can Count On in the US
Who Are People That Encourage Banning of Problematic Fictional Content?
In What Covert Ways Is Homophobia Promoted in American Society?
Why Men Are Worried About Expressing Their Emotions Openly
How Smoking Is Promoted Worldwide and Why It Happens
Do All People Receive Equal Support from the Government?

US Law and Justice System Synthesis Essays Ideas

Are you interested in law and justice? If so, check any of these argumentative synthesis essay topics.

Why People Opposing Abortion Are Hypocritical
How Did Capital Punishment Come to Exist in America?
Ways of Making Sure There Are No Guns on Campus
What Is the Harshest Legal Punishment Given For?
Benefits of Making Prostitution Legal
Protection for Prisoners: Could It Be Ensured?
Is There a Disproportion Between Poor and Rich People in Prison?
How Often Do Laws Change to Keep Up with the Times?
Should a Person Really Be Punished for Breaking the Law If They Did Not Know They Are Doing It?
Do Black People Really Commit More Crimes or Is There Racism Involved?

Environment Synthesis Essay Prompts

Our environment holds so much relevance that choosing synthesis prompts about it is natural.

Reasons Behind Global Warming and Ways of Their Alleviation
What Is an Acceptable Pollution Level in Places Where People Live?
Do Modern Recycling Methods Improve Chances of Diminishing Pollution?
How Nature Would Improve If People Stopped Eating Meat
Do Real Facts Support the Alarming Picture of Nature Degradation Presented in the Media?
How Chemical Spills Affect Oceans?
Why Do Some People Not Believe in Climate Change?
Which Alternative Fuels Are Cheapest Despite Being Effective?
How Coastal Ecosystems Affect the Overall World Health?
Do Small Individual Contributions Matter When It Comes to Saving Nature?

Art and Literature

In case you are passionate about books or art, these synthesis prompt ideas could trigger your interest.

Could Advertisements Be Considered Art?
Why Do People Listen to Audiobooks Instead of Reading?
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Literature?
Is There Still a Need for Physical Libraries?
Is There a Point in Writing Books When Everything Is Pirated?
Are There Criteria Determining Which Artworks Are Good?
Is Graffiti a Form of Modern Art?
What Value Do Books Present to People?
Do Musicians Really Have a Better Hearing Than Others?
Is Fiction Distracting in a Good or Bad Way?

Synthesis Essays Topic on Ethics and Morality

Ethics and moral principles could form a solid base for generating good synthesis project ideas.

New Facts About Old Debate: Nature vs. Nurture
Could Torture Be Justified Under Certain Conditions?
Could Cloning Become an Acceptable Procedure?
Is There a Tangible Connection between Money and Happiness?
Loving Criminals: Is It Morally Acceptable?
Are Modern People in Full Control over Their Life?
Which People Are More Successful, Those Who Have Talent or Who Work Hard?
Should Protecting Animals Be a Moral Obligation of Every Person?
Does Complaining to Others Make a Person Happier?
What Is the Value of Gossiping?

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Synthesis Topics on Immigration and American Dream

Many people move to another country having hopes. Look at synthesis essay prompt example below and find inspiring ideas to discuss immigration topic or civil rights issue.

Does American Dream Still Exist?
Does Immigration Pose Any Real Danger to Americans?
Is Eliminating Racism Entirely Possible in Our World?
Most Common Reasons That Push People to Immigrate
How Many Lives Has American Dream Actually Ruined?
Why Was American Dream Invented?
How Does Culture Change Under the Flows of Immigration?
Discuss the Process of Emigration and Its Causes
What Classifies as Illegal Immigration?
How Could Happiness Be Measured?

Movies and TV

We all watch TV because it’s fun and entertaining. Check the range of these topics for synthesis essay and complete an essay about your favorite show.

Positive Effects Bad Endings of TV Shows Have on Their Fans
How Can Queerbaiting Be Explained?
Is It Possible to Become a Famous Actress On Talent Alone?
What Transformations Did TV Undergo in the Last 10 Years?
Does Violent Fiction Make People More Used to Violence in Real Life?
Truth Behind Reality Shows: Are They All Fake?
Is It Possible to Make Real Friends in a Cutthroat Entertainment Industry?
How Was the Longest TV Show in Industry Created?
Alternative Endings to Movies: What Is Their Purpose?
Why Do Many Actors Grow Tired of Playing the Same Role over the Years?

Start Enjoying Your Writing by Picking the Best Topics

Have you already decided on some synthesis paper ideas? We hope our list was helpful and you’ll start your research any second now. As long as you like what you’ve chosen and have at least some degree of interest in it, things will likely go well. But if you still have doubts and are worried about writing, you could always look for extra help. We would be glad to assist you! Our team has years of experience, and they are here with one goal: help students with their tasks. So, we could supply you with good synthesis essay topics, find credible sources, or write an essay on the idea you’ve chosen. Specify your needs and we’ll do everything to meet them!

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

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449 Good Synthesis Essay Topics: Ideas & Simple Guide

18 January 2024
27 min read

Synthesis essays are a prominent feature in academic writing. Specifically, these works allow an individual to present original ideas to an audience after critically examining existing literature. This guide begins with many examples of synthesis essay topics that people can use for ideas when writing their papers. Then, a detailed definition of a synthesis essay topic highlights its purpose and value. Moreover, the manual shifts its focus to the process of developing a topic for a synthesis essay. In this case, the guide exemplifies the generation of a title using a template that breaks down the procedure into five steps.

Best Synthesis Essay Topics

Understanding the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles
Analyzing the Social Consequences of Internet Privacy Infringements
Modern Pop Culture: The Influence of Reality Television
Sustainable Agriculture and the Future of Food Security
Dissecting the Concept of Artificial Intelligence: A Threat or Advantage?
Obesity Epidemic: The Role of Fast Food Industries
Digital Transformation: Impact on Traditional Business Models
The Ethical Dilemma of Genetic Engineering: Pros and Cons
Global Warming: Evaluating the Proposed Solutions
Cyberbullying: Assessing its Psychological Implications
Public Health: How Vaccines Became a Global Controversy?
Advancements in Medical Technology: Improving or Compromising Patient Care?
Role of Financial Literacy in Reducing Poverty Levels
Influence of Feminism on Modern Women’s Rights
Evaluating the Impact of Renewable Energy on Economies
E-Sports Evolution: Acceptance as Legitimate Sports
Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools
Analyzing the Intersection of Religion and Politics
Body Image Perception: Impact of Fashion Industry Standards
Multicultural Education: Benefits and Challenges
Migration Trends: Impact on Global Economies and Societies

Easy Synthesis Essay Topics

Roles of Parenting Styles in Children’s Personality Development
Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity
Video Games Influence: Real-World Violence or Harmless Entertainment?
Animal Rights: Evaluating the Ethics of Animal Experimentation
Digital Divide: Influence on Education Disparity
Globalization: Impact on National Cultures and Identities
Evaluating the Benefits of Universal Basic Income
Veganism and Vegetarianism: Impact on Health and Environment
Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Consumer Behavior
Impact of Minimum Wage Policies on Economic Disparity
Influence of Technology on Interpersonal Communication
Social Justice: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Affirmative Action
Impact of Peer Pressure on Adolescents’ Decision-Making
Climate Change: Evaluating the Effect on Global Food Production
Benefits and Drawbacks of Homeschooling
Single-Use Plastics: Analyzing the Ecological Impact
Benefits and Challenges of Telemedicine in Healthcare
Psychological Effects of Social Isolation Caused by Pandemic
Childhood Obesity: Analyzing the Contributing Factors
Online Education: Analyzing Its Effectiveness and Accessibility

How to create good synthesis essay topics

Interesting Synthesis Essay Topics

Artificial Intelligence: Influence on Job Market and Workforce
Evolution of Feminism: Historical Analysis and Modern Reality
Urban Planning: The Pros and Cons of High-Density Cities
Technological Advancements: How they Shape Human Interactions
Global Warming: Comparative Analysis of Solutions
Food Industry: The Controversy Surrounding Genetically Modified Foods
Music Therapy: Psychological and Physical Benefits
The Education System: Conventional Schools vs. Homeschooling
Influence of Pop Culture on Teenagers’ Behavior
AI Revolution: Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence
Parenting Styles: Western Approach Versus Eastern Traditions
Economic Disparities: Wealth Inequality in Developed Nations
Video Games: Potential Educational Benefits and Harms
Plastic Surgery: Societal Pressure and Individual Choices
Quantum Computing: A Leap into the Future or a Potential Threat?
Animal Rights: The Debate Surrounding Zoos and Animal Entertainment
Space Exploration: Should Humanity Colonize Other Planets?
Capital Punishment: Ethical and Practical Perspectives
Climate Change: Examining Renewable Energy Solutions

Funny Synthesis Essay Topics

Unmasking the Humor in Supermarket Shopping
Decoding Sarcasm: The Wit Behind Internet Memes
Comparing Humor Styles: Stand-Up Comedians versus Sitcoms
Exploring the Comical Side of Office Politics
Unraveling the Laughter: Analyzing Pranks and Practical Jokes
Why Cat Videos Rule the Internet: A Light-Hearted Investigation
Studying the Effect of Puns on English Language Learners
Evaluating the Social Impact of Dad Jokes
Cartoon Characters’ Influence on Children’s Sense of Humor
Funny Ads versus Serious Ads: The Effect on Consumer Perception
Is Comedy Truly Universal? Synthesizing Different Cultures’ Humor
Dissecting Dark Humor: The Funny Side of Tragedy
Slapstick Comedy in Silent Films: A Study of Charlie Chaplin’s Classics
Observing the Power of Satire in Political Cartoons
Unearthing the Comedy in Shakespeare’s Dramatic Works
Deconstructing the Humor in Mathematics and Physics Jokes
Comparing the Comedy Styles: British versus American Humor
Irony and Wit in Modern Advertising: A Critical Study
The Evolution of Stand-Up Comedy: From Vaudeville to Netflix
Understanding the Absurd Humor of Monty Python’s Flying Circus

Synthesis Essay Topics for High School

Analyzing the Influence of Technology on High School Students’ Learning Abilities
Evaluating the Effects of Social Media on Teenage Self-Esteem
Understanding the Impacts of Sports Participation on Student Performance
Balancing Extracurricular Activities With Academic Commitments: A Student Perspective
Probing the Consequences of Bullying in High School Environments
Modern Literature versus Classic Literature: The Students’ Preferences
Dietary Habits: Assessing Their Influence on High School Students’ Health
Decoding the Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Teenagers’ Cognitive Functions
Highlighting the Importance of Career Counseling in High Schools
Music Education and Its Impact on Students’ Academic Performance
School Uniforms: Debating Their Influence on Students’ Self-Expression
The Role of Mentors in Shaping High School Students’ Future
Parental Involvement in Homework: Beneficial or Detrimental?
Climate Change Education: Assessing Its Significance in High School Curriculum
Influence of High School Romantic Relationships on Academic Performance
Exploring the Role of Peer Pressure in Teenage Substance Abuse
Diverse Learning Styles: Identifying the Most Effective for High School Students
Mental Health Programs in Schools: Evaluating Their Effectiveness
Foreign Language Studies: Weighing Their Benefits for High School Students

Synthesis Essay Topics for Middle School

Assessing the Impact of a Multicultural Environment on Middle School Education
Homeschooling versus Traditional Schooling: Comparing Academic Outcomes
Digital Textbooks or Paper Books: Which Enhances Learning Better?
Debating the Role of Standardized Tests in Evaluating Student Abilities
Extracurricular Clubs: Unpacking Their Influence on Student Leadership Skills
Investigating the Effects of Part-Time Jobs on Middle School Students
Violence in Video Games: Analyzing Its Influence on Teen Behavior
Censorship in School Libraries: Is it Justified?
Cyberbullying: Understanding Its Psychological Impacts on Middle School Students
Teacher-Student Relationships: Probing their Influence on Academic Success
Healthy Competition vs. Toxic Comparison: Assessing the School Environment
The Impact of School Infrastructure on Student Performance
Personal Finance Education: Exploring Its Importance in Middle School Curriculum
Integrating Art Therapy in Schools: Assessing Its Potential Benefits
Online Education: Analyzing Its Pros and Cons for Middle School Students
Bilingual Education: Exploring Its Effects on Cognitive Development
Religion in Schools: Understanding its Role in Moral Education
The Influence of Media Literacy Education on Critical Thinking Skills
Class Size: Examining Its Impact on Learning Outcomes
Volunteer Work: Its Effects on Students’ Social Awareness and Empathy
Gender Stereotypes in High School: Uncovering Their Impacts on Students

Synthesis Essay Topics for College Students

Effects of Climate Change on Global Agriculture
Evaluating the Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering
Bridging the Gap: Strategies to Alleviate Income Inequality
Unraveling the Power of Art in Emotional Healing
Roles of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Healthcare
Influence of Hip-Hop Culture on Contemporary Society
Efficacy of Veganism in Promoting Personal Health and Sustainability
Study of Theistic Beliefs in Diverse Cultures
Cybersecurity Threats: Measures to Safeguard Personal Information
Integration of Renewable Energy in Urban Planning
Navigating the Impact of Globalization on Local Cultures
Exploring Feminist Perspectives in Contemporary Literature
Mitigating the Effects of Gentrification in Urban Neighborhoods
Bilingual Education in College: Benefits and Challenges
Scrutinizing the Relationship Between Body Image and Media Representation
Understanding Addiction: Causes, Treatments, and Societal Stigma
Role of Sports in Building Character and Leadership Skills
Delve into the Influence of Westernization on Traditional Cuisine
Assessing the Impact of Internet Censorship on Freedom of Expression

Synthesis Essay Topics for University

Exploring the Socioeconomic Effects of Mass Incarceration
Evaluate the Efficacy of Gun Control Legislation in Reducing Crime
Pondering the Role of Parents in Child Development
Investigate the Influence of Migration on Cultural Identity
Decoding the Role of Sleep in Maintaining Optimal Health
Examine the Psychological Impact of Competitive Sports on Youth
Uncovering the Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth Aspirations
Deciphering the Relationship Between Dietary Choices and Chronic Diseases
Tracing the Impact of Colonialism on Modern World Politics
Contemplating the Efficacy of Traditional Medicine in the Modern Age
Assess the Role of Video Games in Cognitive Development
Exploring the Potential of Nuclear Energy for Future Power Generation
Analyzing the Impact of Drone Technology on Privacy and Security
Highlighting the Importance of Music Education in University Curriculums
Role of Entrepreneurship in Fostering Economic Growth
Dissecting the Influence of Autonomous Vehicles on Urban Planning
Pondering the Impact of Distance Learning on Student Performance
Significance of Mindfulness in Achieving Work-Life Balance

Unique Lists of 280 Synthesis Essay Topics

Explanatory synthesis essay topics.

Exploring the Impact of Globalization on Small Businesses
Unraveling the Psychological Effects of Social Media on Teenagers
Understanding the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Healthcare
Evaluating the Environmental Consequences of Plastic Waste
Comparing Traditional Education with Distance Learning: Pros and Cons
The Evolution of Feminism: A Historical and Cultural Analysis
Deciphering the Effects of Genetically Modified Foods on Human Health
Bitcoin and Blockchain: A Deep Dive Into the Future of Finance
The Ethical Implications of Animal Testing in Scientific Research
Examining the Interplay Between Pop Culture and Society’s Value System
Impact of Immigration on Economic Growth: A Critical Examination
Internet Privacy and Cybersecurity: Analyzing Modern Digital Dilemmas
Urbanization’s Influence on the Quality of Life in Developing Countries
The Transformation of Work Culture by Remote Employment
Uncovering the Causes and Implications of Income Inequality in the United States
Assessing the Health Effects of Prolonged Screen Time in the Digital Age
Climate Change Mitigation: Evaluating Renewable Energy Technologies
The Influence of Western Culture on World Cuisine: A Culinary Analysis
Space Exploration’s Impact on Technological Advancements: A Comprehensive Review

Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering: A Necessary Step for Human Advancement or a Dangerous Path?
The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence: Progression or Threat to Human Jobs?
Capital Punishment: Justified Response to Heinous Crimes or a Breach of Human Rights?
Privacy vs. Security: Can the Surveillance State Safeguard Civil Liberties?
Vaccination Mandates: Public Health Necessity or Infringement on Personal Freedom?
Climate Change Denial: Misguided Belief or a Political Strategy?
Impact of Social Media on Youth: Catalyst for Innovation or a Trigger for Mental Health Issues?
Universal Basic Income: Solution to Poverty or a Stimulus for Laziness?
Exploring Space: Scientific Necessity or Financial Burden for Nations?
Animal Testing: Essential for Medical Progress or Cruel and Unnecessary Practice?
Effects of Violent Video Games: Harmful Influence or Harmless Entertainment?
The Role of Censorship: Protecting Society or Suppressing Free Speech?
Online Education: Future of Learning or Compromise on Quality?
Right to Bear Arms: Constitutional Necessity or a Threat to Public Safety?
Child Labor in Developing Countries: Inevitable Reality or Unforgivable Offense?
Automation and Job Security: Economic Efficiency or Source of Unemployment?
Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports: Unfair Advantage or Level Playing Field?
Profit-Driven Healthcare System: Effective Business Model or Detriment to Universal Health Coverage?

Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on Job Market Evolution
Influence of Social Media on Modern Politics
Advances in Biotechnology and Their Ethical Implications
Nurturing Mental Health: The Importance of Mindfulness Practices
Analysis of Blockchain Technology’s Potential in the Financial Sector
Smart Cities: The Fusion of Technology and Urban Development
Understanding Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin’s Economic Impact
Role of Nanotechnology in Modern Healthcare Innovations
Exploring Space Exploration’s Significance in Scientific Discoveries
Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Review
Implications of Genetically Modified Foods on Health and Environment
Challenges and Opportunities of Distance Learning in Higher Education
Virtual Reality: Its Impact on Entertainment and Education
Cybersecurity Threats in the Era of Digital Transformation
Impacts of the Internet of Things on Everyday Life
Dark Web: Unveiling Its Unknown Aspects
Future of Driverless Cars: Prospects and Challenges

Research Synthesis Essay Topics

Analyzing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Global Economic Structures
Unveiling the Implications of Cybersecurity Breaches in Modern Businesses
Evolution of Digital Learning: Successes and Shortcomings in Today’s Education
Climate Change and Its Influences on Agricultural Productivity: A Global Perspective
Evaluating the Effects of Globalization on Cultural Preservation
Intersectionality in Feminism: An Examination of Its Contributions and Limitations
The Development and Impact of Renewable Energy Technologies on Fossil Fuel Economy
Understanding the Psychosocial Effects of Long-Term Remote Work on Employees
The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles: Assessing Their Potential Benefits and Risks
Revisiting the Ethics of Genetic Engineering: An Analysis of Contemporary Bioethical Dilemmas
Mental Health and Social Media: Exploring the Connections Between Online Activity and Psychological Well-Being
Implications of Virtual Reality Technology for Future Entertainment and Education Platforms
Examining the Contributions of Citizen Science to Environmental Conservation Efforts
Sustainability in Fashion: Evaluating the Industry’s Transition to Environmentally Friendly Practices
Public Health and Urban Planning: Understanding the Role of Green Spaces in Health Promotion
The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Traditional Banking Systems
Space Tourism: Forecasting the Economic and Environmental Consequences
Decoding the Future of Food: The Potential of Lab-Grown Meat in Meeting Global Demand
E-Sports Emergence: Understanding Its Cultural Impact and Economic Potential

Synthesis Essay Topics on Education

Implications of Digital Technology in Modern Education
Impact of Standardized Testing on Student Learning Outcomes
The Role of Parental Involvement in Academic Success
Societal Consequences of School Bullying Policies
Incorporation of Emotional Intelligence in Curriculum Design
Educational Strategies for Addressing Learning Disabilities
Influence of School Nutrition Programs on Student Performance
Transformation of Higher Education Through Online Learning
Potentials of Bilingual Education in Promoting Cultural Diversity
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Educational Assessments
Implementation Challenges of Inclusive Education in Schools
Interrelation Between School Funding and Student Achievement
Adoption of Gamification as a Motivational Tool in Learning
Benefits and Drawbacks of Homeschooling From a Societal Perspective
Impact of Early Childhood Education on Long-Term Success
Evolution of Teacher Training Programs in the 21st Century
Importance of Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in Education Systems
The Role of Mental Health Support in School Settings
Effects of Class Size on Quality of Education
Potentials of Life Skills Education in Reducing Youth Unemployment

Social Media Synthesis Essay Topics

Balancing Privacy and Freedom of Speech in Social Media Platforms
Influencer Marketing: The Emergence of a New Advertising Strategy
Social Media’s Role in Promoting Social Justice Movements
Dissemination of Fake News: How Social Media Fuels Misinformation
Exploring the Interplay Between Social Media and Politics
Cyberbullying: Unintended Consequence of Social Media Proliferation
Online Communities: The Power of Social Media in Connecting People
Analysis of Social Media’s Impact on Modern Journalism
Tackling Body Image Issues: Social Media’s Responsibility
Social Media as a Platform for Cultural Exchange: Pros and Cons
Ethical Implications of Data Mining in Social Media Platforms
Democracy in the Age of Social Media: An In-Depth Study
Social Media Algorithms: Effect on User Behavior and Public Opinion
How Social Media Affects Family Relationships: A Multidimensional Study
Social Media’s Influence on Contemporary Art and Artists
The Role of Social Media in Professional Networking and Job Searching
From Virtual to Reality: Social Media’s Impact on Tourism
Personal Branding on Social Media: A Necessary Evil or Essential Strategy?
Is Social Media Making Us More Narcissistic? An Analytical Perspective

Global Warming Synthesis Essay Topics

Analyzing the Impacts of Global Warming on Polar Ecosystems
Economic Consequences of Climate Change: A Global Perspective
Evaluation of Global Warming Solutions: Solar and Wind Energy
The Role of Deforestation in Accelerating Climate Change
Effects of Global Warming on Human Health
Coral Reefs and Climate Change: An Underwater Crisis
Impact of Global Warming on World’s Freshwater Resources
Agricultural Adaptations to Climate Change: Necessity and Challenges
Climate Change and Migration: Understanding the Environmental Refugee Crisis
Examining the Role of Carbon Sequestration in Combating Global Warming
Global Warming’s Influence on the Occurrence of Wildfires
Implications of Sea Level Rise: Coastal Communities at Risk
Policies Required for Mitigating Climate Change: National and International Perspectives
Ocean Acidification: An Unseen Consequence of Climate Change
Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Wildlife
How Global Warming Affects Global Food Security?
The Intersection of Global Warming and Social Justice Issues

Synthesis Essay Topics in Technology

Implications of Artificial Intelligence on Job Security
The Role of Cybersecurity in Modern Digital Infrastructure
Advantages and Risks Associated With Gene Editing Technologies
Impacts of Blockchain Technology on Financial Systems
The Shift Toward Renewable Energy: A Technological Revolution
Virtual Reality and Its Influence on Social Interactions
Internet of Things: Transforming Household Management
Digital Learning Tools: Enriching or Displacing Traditional Education?
E-Commerce Evolution: Impact on Small and Medium Enterprises
Advancements in Telemedicine: Changing the Face of Healthcare
Ethical Considerations Surrounding Drone Technology
The Future of Transportation: Autonomous Vehicles
3D Printing Technology: Shaping the Future of Manufacturing
Space Technology Developments and Its Prospects for Humanity
Dissecting the Impacts of Deepfake Technology
Examining the Efficacy of Digital Therapeutics in Mental Health
Roles of Technology in Achieving Sustainable Agriculture
Innovations in Nanotechnology: Implications for Medicine and Industry

Society Synthesis Essay Topics

Challenges and Opportunities in Multicultural Societies
The Role of Technology in Promoting Social Equality
Immigration Policies: Effects on Society’s Fabric
Exploring the Influence of Gender Roles on Career Choices
Education System: Tool for Social Mobility or Reinforcement of Class Divisions?
Media Representation and Its Impact on Body Image
Effects of Globalization on Cultural Identity
The Intersection of Race and Crime in Modern Societies
Income Inequality: Its Effects on Social Cohesion
The Role of Art in Reflecting Societal Changes
The Evolution of Marriage Institutions Across Different Cultures
Impact of Climate Change on Societal Development
Intersectionality: Understanding Multiple Layers of Social Discrimination
The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Youth Perception
Internet Privacy: Its Significance in Today’s Digital Society
Legalization of Drugs: Societal Consequences and Misconceptions
Exploring the Phenomenon of Cancel Culture in Digital Societies
Mental Health: The Silent Epidemic in Modern Society
Analysis of Universal Basic Income as a Solution for Poverty

Synthesis Essay Topics on Health and Medicine

The Impact of Telemedicine on Modern Healthcare Systems
Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Enhancing Medical Diagnosis Accuracy
Genetic Engineering: The Solution to Hereditary Diseases
Personalized Medicine: The Future of Health Care
The Effect of Mandatory Vaccinations on Public Health
Holistic Medicine Versus Conventional Treatment Approaches
Mental Health: The Stigma and Its Consequences
Examining the Efficacy of Alternative Cancer Treatments
Ethical Dilemmas in Palliative Care: Balancing Quality and Quantity of Life
Influences of Socioeconomic Status on Health Disparities
Roles of Nutrition in Preventing Chronic Diseases
Biotechnology’s Contributions to Personalized Therapies
Antibiotic Resistance: A Looming Global Health Crisis
Exercise’s Effects on Mental Health and Cognitive Function
Advances in Neurology: Understanding and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Pediatric Medicine: Addressing Unique Challenges in Child Health Care
Roles of Health Education in Preventing Lifestyle Diseases
Roles of Nanotechnology in Cancer Treatment
The Influence of Digital Technology on Mental Health
Assisted Reproduction: Evaluating Psychological and Ethical Implications

Art and Literature Synthesis Essay Topics

Expressionism in Paintings and Its Reflection in 20th-Century Literature
Artistic Representation of Feminism in Art and Literature
Influence of Surrealism on the Narrative Structures of Postmodern Novels
Portrayal of War in Visual Arts and War Literature
Juxtaposition of Gothic Elements in Art and Gothic Literature
Exploration of Realism in 19th-Century Paintings and Novels
Impacts of Romanticism on Landscape Art and Romantic Poetry
Dystopian Themes in Graphic Art and Science Fiction Literature
Translating Abstract Art Concepts Into Abstract Literary Forms
Effect of Postcolonial Art on Literature of the Oppressed
Evocation of Horror in Visual Art and Horror Fiction
Social Commentary in Street Art and Contemporary Novels
Human Suffering Depicted in Holocaust Art and Literature
Evolution of Fantasy Elements in Art and Fantasy Literature
Nostalgia in Retro Art and Literature of the 1950s
Parallels Between Pop Art Movement and Pop Literature
Cultural Representation in Indigenous Art and Native American Literature
Satire in Political Cartoons and Satirical Literature
Allegorical Use of Animals in Art and Animal-Based Literature

Synthesis Essay Topics About Ethics and Morality

The Moral Implications of Capital Punishment: An Ethical Analysis
Medical Ethics: Analyzing the Dilemma of Euthanasia
Balancing Privacy Rights and National Security: An Ethical Conundrum
Justifying War: A Deeper Look Into the Ethics of Military Actions
Business Ethics: Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility
Animal Rights: Evaluating the Ethics of Animal Testing
Environmental Stewardship: Assessing the Moral Obligations Toward Nature
Ethics in Politics: A Critical Review of Corruption and Public Service
Professional Ethics: Scrutinizing the Moral Aspects of Journalism
Bioethics: Investigating Ethical Dilemmas in Stem Cell Research
Personal Data Usage: Assessing the Ethics of Information Privacy
Whistleblowing: Weighing the Morality of Exposing Organizational Secrets
Humanitarian Intervention: Analyzing Ethical Justifications and Repercussions
Ethics in Education: Unpacking the Moral Dilemmas in Academic Integrity
Consumer Ethics: Understanding the Moral Implications of Fast Fashion
Surveillance Technology: Exploring the Ethical Boundaries of Personal Freedom
Wealth Inequality: Evaluating the Moral Questions in Income Distribution
Genetic Screening: Dissecting the Ethical Aspects of Predictive Medicine

Synthesis Essay Topics on Law and the Justice System

Exploring the Impact of Technology on Modern Legal Practices
Juvenile Justice System: Should It Mimic the Adult System?
The Influence of Social Media on Courtroom Proceedings
Death Penalty: An In-Depth Analysis of its Morality and Effectiveness
Evaluating the Role of Forensic Science in Criminal Investigations
Hate Crime Legislation: Necessary or an Infringement on Free Speech?
Cyber Law: Dealing With Internet Crimes and Digital Privacy
Effects of Prison Overcrowding on Inmate Rehabilitation
Restorative Justice: A Comprehensive Look at Alternative Sentencing Methods
Analyzing the Relationship between Law and Socioeconomic Class
Human Rights Law: Assessing Its Global Implementation and Effectiveness
Examination of Intellectual Property Law in the Digital Age
Balancing National Security and Personal Privacy: A Legal Perspective
Role of International Law in Resolving Global Conflicts
Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: Does It Achieve Its Intended Purpose?
White-Collar Crime: Legal Responses and Prevention Strategies
Police Brutality and Legal Remedies: A Detailed Review
Immigration Law and Its Impact on Economic Growth
Legal Aid: Analyzing Its Role in Providing Access to Justice
Corporate Law: Understanding its Role in Regulating Big Businesses

Immigration Synthesis Essay Topics

Evaluating the Economic Impact of Immigration on the Host Country
Scrutinizing the Role of Immigration Policies in National Security
Assessing the Effects of Immigration on Cultural Diversity and Societal Cohesion
Exploring the Historical Context of Immigration Legislation in the United States
Examining the Human Rights Implications of Immigration Detention
Bridging the Gap: Immigration and Its Influence on Education
The Long-Term Effects of Immigration on Political Stability in Receiving Countries
The Psychological Impact of Immigration: A Closer Look at Mental Health
Unveiling the Relationship Between Immigration and Unemployment Rates
Contemplating the Ethical Questions in Refugee and Asylum Seeker Policies
The Crucial Role of Immigrants in Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Analyzing the Impact of Immigration on Healthcare Systems in Developed Countries
The Climate Change and Immigration Nexus: Understanding the Dynamics
Immigration and Labor Markets: A Microeconomic Perspective
Health Disparities Among Immigrant Populations: A Public Health Inquiry
Interrogating the Influence of Immigration on Urbanization and Housing
Immigration in Popular Culture: How Media Shapes Perceptions?
Criminal Justice System and Immigrants: An Examination of the Bias
Environmental Refugees: How Global Warming Impacts Immigration Patterns?

American Dream Synthesis Essay Topics

Exploring the Evolution of the American Dream in American Literature
Impact of Socioeconomic Status on the Attainability of the American Dream
The American Dream in Modern Cinema: Portrayals and Interpretations
The Role of Immigration in Shaping the Perception of the American Dream
Analyzing the Influence of the Great Depression on the American Dream
Manifestations of the American Dream in Post-World War II America
Unveiling the Role of the Suburban Lifestyle in the Context of the American Dream
The American Dream and the Civil Rights Movement: A Symbiotic Relationship
How Has the Technology Boom Altered Perspectives on the American Dream?
Dissecting the Concept of the American Dream in Martin Luther King’s Speeches
Analyzing the Dichotomy of the American Dream: Aspiration vs. Reality
Influence of the Feminist Movement on the Evolution of the American Dream
The American Dream Through the Lens of Native American Culture
Comparing Interpretations of the American Dream in Different Generations
The Influence of Hip-Hop Culture on the American Dream
Manifest Destiny and Its Role in Shaping the Early American Dream
How the Vietnam War Affected Perceptions of the American Dream?
The Changing Definition of the American Dream in the 21st Century

Guide on How to Create a Synthesis Essay Topic

Definition of a synthesis essay topic.

An author of a synthesis essay topic critically analyses several sources and proposes an original perspective using the apparent or implied relationships, which exist in the evaluated sources. Basically, the process of writing an essay involves three primary stages: summary, analysis, and synthesis. Firstly, the summary step involves the critical reading and collection of information from relevant sources. During the analysis stage, writers deconstruct the collected information to identify the relationships between various arguments and the underlying rationale for the arguments. Finally, authors engage in synthesis, where they select parts from sources’ arguments and develop a new association between the parts to present original lines of thought that advance the discourse on the topic of interest. In turn, the final stage differentiates synthesis essays from all other essay forms.

Purpose and Value

The primary purpose of a synthesis essay topic is to extend existing ideas through critical thinking and present them to an audience convincingly and logically. In academia, synthesis papers are invaluable pieces of scholarly writing because they demonstrate that a scholar understands the existing literature on a topic to the extent of suggesting a new perspective on an issue. Also, a synthesis essay defends a given position, which is arguable. However, the presentation of a thesis statement should not attract any critique. In this case, papers should not contain any logical fallacies, incorrect paraphrasing, inappropriately used quotations, or ambiguous language. Mostly, the inherent value of any thesis statement lies in its ability to find a compromise in the conflict that exists between the original thesis and antithesis, which manifests as an unexplored point of view.

Types of Synthesis Essays

An expository essay is the most common form of a synthesis essay because educators typically rely on them heavily in nurturing academic writing skills. Basically, authors may utilize various rhetorical strategies in the development of a synthesis essay topic using the expository approach, for example, compare and contrast, cause and effect, and analysis. In expository essays, the synthesis aspect emerges in the wholesomeness of the author’s paper, which should cover the topic objectively and extensively. Moreover, the expository approach houses many essay subtypes, for instance, a process essay that employs the rhetorical analysis strategy. Secondly, an argumentative essay is a type of synthesis essay where writers select a position on a controversial issue and defend the position using evidence from an in-depth analysis of sources. In turn, the synthesis aspect of an argumentative essay arises in the critique of one’s main argument and other scholar’s counter-arguments.

Development of Synthesis Essay Topics

Process writing.

A well-authored process essay contains a detailed description of a technique for completing a particular task. For instance, a process essay does not merely present the steps of a process to the audience for informational purposes. Instead, papers examine each stage in a process and identify its weaknesses and strengths. Furthermore, essays may provide viable modifications to the individual steps that can improve the process significantly. In a case where there are no useful modifications, authors may focus on demonstrating the significance of each step through evidence from scholarly sources. On the whole, a process essay informs readers on the process, evaluates the challenges associated with the process, and synthesizes solutions to elevate the efficacy of a process.

Main Elements of a Process Essay’s Topic

Essentially, the topic of any process essay should respond to the ‘what’ and ‘how’ questions. Moreover, the topic of any process essay has three key elements: task identity, technique description, and relevant details. In this case, the task identity notifies readers of the activity that an individual may complete using the process. Then, the technique description informs the reader of the process, which the author writes about in the paper. Basically, these two elements of the process essay topic are the most important because they provide the audience with a clear idea of the content of the paper. In turn, the third element is optional because it serves a secondary purpose of narrowing the topic by providing additional information concerning the process. Also, authors enjoy the freedom of word choice and length, although it is good practice to use easily understood words and maintain the minimum possible length.

Synthesis Essay Topic Template

Synthesis question: The synthesis question is the starting point of any synthesis essay. In this case, the essay prompt typically contains descriptive explanations that enable the student to derive a thesis statement.
Preliminary research results: The outcome of initial research on the synthesis question provides writers with a provisional answer. Based on this answer, authors can develop a working topic.
Tentative topic: The working topic identifies the process that the author intends to discuss in the paper.
Further research: The author carries out additional research to identify the specific details of the method of interest.
Final Topic: Writers may use the findings of their comprehensive research to refine the topic, for example, to identify a specific version of the technique.

Sample Template for Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis question: How to make wine?
Preliminary research results: Davidson’s technique, Zkruch’s process, and Jackson’s barrel technique
Tentative topic (selection due to popularity in winemaking): Davidson’s winemaking process
Further research: There are four modifications in Davidson’s winemaking method.
Final topic: Davidson’s six-stage winemaking process

Alterations to Suit Purpose

Authors must design the response to a synthesis question to agree with the type of a synthesis essay topic that they intend to write because expository and argumentative forms of synthesis papers demand unique topics. In the sample template, the topic “Davidson’s Six-Stage Wine Making Process” is a topic for an expository essay. Also, if writers choose to employ an argumentative approach to synthesis, the topic undergoes some minor changes to make the argumentative element more apparent to the reader. In this case, an appropriate topic is “Davidson’s Six-Stage Wine Making Process: A Solution to the Aging Dilemma.” In turn, the argumentative version of the topic asserts that Davidson’s process is a solution to an aging issue that affects all winemakers. However, it is a debatable solution because it is not standard industry practice.

Discipline Orientation

Students may approach a synthesis topic differently because of their disciplines. For example, each discipline focuses on developing the thinking of a student along particular lines of thought, which are an embodiment of the fundamental principles of the discipline. Consequently, students subconsciously deconstruct issues and synthesize solutions within the context of their discipline-specific knowledge. Also, this discipline-oriented critical thinking has a substantial impact on the content of the essay and the hierarchy of major points in the paper. Moreover, the author’s discipline affects the presentation of the essay content because the presumption of an expert audience from a particular field may lead to brief explanations or complete exclusion of basic concepts, which the author considers to be common knowledge. Therefore, authors can develop distinct essays that rely on support from discipline-specific evidence despite reaching the same conclusion.

Application Prompts of Synthesis Essay Topics

1. desocialization in excessively active online teenagers.

Anthropology: Discusses the radical changes that online activity makes to an individual’s routine, for instance, reallocation of socialization time to online hours.

Sociology: Authors provide evidence that excessive online participation affects the development of the relationships between adults, young adults, teenagers, and children.

Engineering and technology: The author makes an argument that technological advancements are quickly replacing human interaction, for instance, virtual reality.

2. The Reach of Democracy

Law: The writer identifies changes in laws concerning democracy and critiques their impact on the realization of democracy.

History: The author reviews significant changes in voting rights among various racial groups since the formation of the United States.

Performing arts: The person xamines the depiction of democratic freedoms in films that preceded significant events, such as women gaining their voting rights.

3. The Promise of Artificial Intelligence

Medicine and health: Highlights the benefits of artificial intelligence in studying physiological patterns, robotic surgery assistance, and autonomous feedback loops.

Engineering and technology: The shifting reliance of the manufacturers from human labor to robots along entire production lines may be an area of interest for the author.

Law: The value of artificial intelligence in tracking and predicting criminal behavior and its validity as demonstrative evidence is an interesting angle for a synthesis essay topic.

4. Pursuing the American Dream

Performing arts: The author may compare and contrast popular plays from renowned screenwriters to demonstrate the evolving perception of the American Dream.

Language and literature: The writer identifies seminal literature texts concerning the American Dream and evaluates them for consistencies and inconsistencies.

History: The student may analyze the public’s response to significant historical events that challenged the notion of the American Dream, for instance, the Great Depression.

5. Accessibility of Medical Care in the United States

Medicine and health: An analysis of the barriers to healthcare access and the efficacy of implemented solutions may generate adequate information for a synthesis essay topic.

Psychology: The author may investigate the validity of the link between access to physical healthcare and mental well-being.

History: An overview of the circumstances surrounding major healthcare reforms in the past century and their influence on healthcare policy in the 21 st century.

6. No Justice in the Juvenile Court System

Language and literature: An Author can evaluate literature documenting the experiences of minors in the juvenile court system during different periods.

Sociology: Writers may discuss the challenges that minors from minority groups in the lower class face during their pursuit of justice.

Anthropology: Evaluate the impact that high sentencing rates have on the development of an individual that experiences separation from a fully functioning society.

7. Love for Violent Video Games: A Sign of Delinquency

Psychology: The synthesis essay may explore the fluctuation of teenage tolerance and acceptance of violence as normal behavior.

Anthropology: An author can review various theoretical explanations that link teenage exposure to violent content and the manifestation of future delinquent behavior.

Sociology: The association between peer pressure, violent gaming, and the onset of bully-like behavior in high school.

8. Housing: A Precondition for Escaping Poverty

Social work: Investigate the effect of rehousing on time taken to achieve financial stability for a previously homeless individual.

Psychology: Examine the impact of housing on an individual’s motivation to seek job opportunities.

Law: Review the existing laws on housing or rehousing and scrutinize their applicability in society.

9. The Power of Images in Stereotyping: The Case of Instagram

Engineering and technology: The role of portable image-capturing devices in facilitating online stereotyping.

Performing arts: Review the contribution of Black actors in creating an online voice for racial injustices.

Social work: Examine the difficulties that children with low self-esteem face in the digital world.

10. Gender Equity: A Failing War

Medicine and health: Discuss the diminished number of female surgeons as compared to a large number of nurses.

Languages and literature: Compare the representation of women in narratives.

Social work: Analyse the gender role differences in the home setting.

Tips on How to Create Good Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis essay topics should demonstrate a high level of critical thinking.
Authors must develop essay topics that enable them to achieve the purpose of synthesis papers.
Argumentative and expository essays are the broad classification of synthesis essays.
The synthesis aspect should be apparent in any synthesis work.
A summary is not a dominant feature in a synthesis essay.
The generation of a topic starts with the derivation of a synthesis question from the paper’s prompt.
Research allows a writer to narrow down a topic and refine it.
The content of synthesis essay topics with the same title may differ extensively because of the author’s discipline.

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Synthesis Essay Guide

Synthesis Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 30, 2023

How to Choose the Best Synthesis Essay Topics?

The high school and college students always get stuck with the synthesis essay topic selection phase. Choosing an interesting topic for your essay can be difficult, but it's not impossible if you follow some expert tips.

Here are some tips to help you select the best topics for a synthesis essay in no time.

The topic should be of your audience’s interest.
Pick a topic that is debatable and can be easily explored from different perspectives.
The topic should be unique and fresh that have not been studied excessively.
It should be negotiable, and the readers take more interest in these types of essays.
Research on the topic as much as possible and then select it for your essay.

Synthesis Essay Topics 2022

An interesting synthesis essay topic not only makes your writing phase easy but it grabs the reader’s attention. For your help, we have compiled some synthesis essay ideas that you will use to impress the audience.

How do modern workplaces affect the behavior of minority workers?
How the use of fossil fuels impacts global warming?
What effects does poverty have on the health of children?
Should social media be better controlled, and how?
How to get rid of the world of nuclear weapons?
How listening to music while working helps you concentrate on work?
How does YouTube affect the shopping habits of youth?
Transformation of filmmaking in the 20th century.
Never forgets who you are and what is essential for you.
Are students taught skills they will need to succeed in life?

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Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

In an argumentative synthesis essay, you will combine information from multiple sources about the topic. Therefore, you will argue your own position on that topic.

However, finding the right argumentative essay topic sounds like a challenging and difficult task. But, don't panic. Below are some interesting topics that you can use for your synthesis paper.

Do we need to legalize marijuana in America?
How can we best fight against the obesity epidemic?
People should have full control over their future.
The positive impact of smaller class size on academic performance.
Should we blame teachers if students show low results in testing?
What should countries do to address the problem of illegal immigration?
How does the poverty of a child's parents affect their education?
What are the pros and cons of making friends virtually?
Are diets as effective as they are told?
How have video games impacted family life?

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

In an explanatory synthesis essay, you don’t need to write your personal opinion but explain the topic with strong information. Its main purpose is to help the reader to get a complete understanding of the subject.

Here are some best explanatory synthesis essay topics for your ease.

What sports are best for those hoping to lose weight?
The effects of social networking sites on people's life.
Impact of technology on social lives.
What does the learner expect most in school?
What are the effects of health or nutrition education on children?
How can modern technologies benefit students and their education?
Which parts of the Constitution would you like to change and why?
What were the key causes of the American Civil War?
How is social media a threat to people’s privacy?
The connection between physical and mental health.

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Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

An informative synthesis essay is different from an explanatory and argumentative synthesis essay. In this essay, an essay writer combines multiple sources to explain a particular topic or subject. Therefore, state your research purposes only with clarity.

We have collected some great topics for your help that you can use for your essay.

Lawyers have the toughest job in the world.
What is the significance of multicultural structuring in enterprises?
How can gun control minimize mass shootings?
How are minority workers treated in the workplace?
What measures should be taken to stop cyberbullying?
The effects of technology on the entertainment industry.
What effect does global warming have on farming?
The impact of American art on modern European music.
Time has more value than money.
Does plea bargaining in the US justice system work?

AP Lang Synthesis Essay Topics

AP Lang synthesis essay is an essential part of the AP Lang exam. It is a type of essay that requires proper research and writing.

Some students get confused when choosing the topic for their AP Lang synthesis essay and end up selecting the bad topic. Always remember that a good topic is key to a successful essay.

Check these topics and pick the best one for your essay.

Will the problem of Global Warming be solved?
How should we prevent future mass shootings?
Modern technology and the building of smart cities.
Finding the balance between privacy and online connectivity.
Why did community service serve as an effective solution?
Disadvantages of lowering the drinking age from 21 to 16.
How do racial prejudices affect annual college admissions?
Have cell phones made our lives better or worse?
Why is city traffic increasing every year?
Does Instagram promote stereotyping?

Now, writing a synthesis essay is not difficult if you have a great essay topic. Pick the best topic from the topics mentioned above and start writing your essay.

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Nathan completed his Ph.D. in journalism and has been writing articles for well-respected publications for many years now. His work is carefully researched and insightful, showing a true passion for the written word. Nathan's clients appreciate his expertise, deep understanding of the process, and ability to communicate difficult concepts clearly.

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Synthesis Essay: Step by Step Guide With Easy Tips

How to Write a Synthesis Essay Outline - Template & Examples

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?

120 Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis health essay topics:.

The impact of technology on mental health: A synthesis of current research
Exploring the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health: A synthesis of evidence
The role of exercise in preventing chronic diseases: A synthesis of recent studies
The effects of stress on the immune system: A synthesis of scientific literature
The benefits and risks of alternative medicine: A synthesis of diverse perspectives
The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem: A synthesis of empirical studies
The role of genetics in determining susceptibility to certain diseases: A synthesis of genetic research
The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression: A synthesis of clinical trials
The impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive function and overall health: A synthesis of sleep research
The role of vaccinations in preventing infectious diseases: A synthesis of scientific evidence
The effects of air pollution on respiratory health: A synthesis of epidemiological studies
The benefits and risks of using pharmaceutical drugs for mental health treatment: A synthesis of clinical trials
The impact of socioeconomic status on access to healthcare and health outcomes: A synthesis of socioeconomic research
The role of nutrition in promoting brain health and preventing cognitive decline: A synthesis of nutritional studies
The effects of smoking on lung health and overall well-being: A synthesis of epidemiological and clinical research

Synthesis Education Essay Topics:

The impact of technology on education: A synthesis of its benefits and drawbacks
The role of critical thinking in the modern education system: A synthesis of theories and practices
The effectiveness of online learning platforms: A synthesis of research studies
The importance of inclusive education: A synthesis of strategies and outcomes
The influence of standardized testing on student learning: A synthesis of perspectives
The integration of arts education in STEM subjects: A synthesis of approaches and outcomes
The benefits of project-based learning: A synthesis of research and case studies
The role of parental involvement in student achievement: A synthesis of theories and evidence
The impact of socioeconomic status on educational opportunities: A synthesis of research findings
The effectiveness of differentiated instruction in meeting diverse student needs: A synthesis of strategies and outcomes
The role of teacher-student relationships in fostering positive learning environments: A synthesis of theories and practices
The impact of early childhood education on long-term academic success: A synthesis of research studies
The benefits of multicultural education in promoting diversity and inclusion: A synthesis of approaches and outcomes
The role of educational policies in addressing educational inequalities: A synthesis of perspectives and evidence
The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes: A synthesis of research and case studies

Synthesis Psychology Essay Topics:

The impact of nature vs nurture on personality development
The role of cognitive dissonance in decision-making processes
The effects of social media on self-esteem and body image
The relationship between stress and physical health
The influence of culture on perception and cognition
The role of attachment styles in adult romantic relationships
The effects of childhood trauma on mental health in adulthood
The impact of social support on mental well-being
The relationship between sleep deprivation and cognitive functioning
The effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction
The role of neurotransmitters in mood disorders
The influence of parenting styles on child development
The effects of technology addiction on mental health
The relationship between personality traits and job satisfaction
The impact of social isolation on mental health in the elderly

Synthesis Environment Essay Topics:

The impact of climate change on biodiversity
The role of renewable energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The effects of deforestation on global warming
The relationship between pollution and human health
The importance of sustainable agriculture in preserving the environment
The role of technology in promoting environmental sustainability
The challenges and benefits of transitioning to a circular economy
The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
The role of government policies in addressing environmental issues
The connection between urbanization and environmental degradation
The effects of air pollution on climate change
The role of education in promoting environmental awareness
The impact of overfishing on marine biodiversity
The relationship between population growth and environmental sustainability
The importance of conserving water resources for future generations

Synthesis Technology Essay Topics:

The impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work
The role of virtual reality in enhancing learning experiences
The ethical implications of gene editing technology
The potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing financial systems
The integration of robotics in healthcare: benefits and challenges
The influence of social media on political discourse and public opinion
The use of biometric identification systems for enhanced security
The implications of 3D printing technology on manufacturing industries
The role of nanotechnology in advancing medical treatments
The impact of autonomous vehicles on transportation systems and urban planning
The potential of renewable energy technologies in combating climate change
The ethical considerations of using facial recognition technology in surveillance
The integration of augmented reality in enhancing customer experiences
The implications of quantum computing on data security and encryption
The role of big data analytics in improving business decision-making processes

Synthesis Philosophy Essay Topics:

The synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophical traditions
The role of synthesis in resolving philosophical dualities
Synthesizing rationalism and empiricism: finding a balanced approach
The synthesis of existentialism and stoicism: embracing freedom and acceptance
Synthesizing ethics and aesthetics: exploring the relationship between beauty and morality
The synthesis of materialism and idealism: reconciling the physical and metaphysical realms
Synthesizing determinism and free will: finding agency within a deterministic universe
The role of synthesis in bridging the gap between science and spirituality
Synthesizing individualism and collectivism: balancing personal autonomy and social responsibility
The synthesis of skepticism and faith: navigating the boundaries of belief and doubt
Synthesizing feminism and existentialism: exploring the intersection of gender and existential philosophy
The role of synthesis in reconciling the mind-body problem
Synthesizing pragmatism and transcendentalism: finding practical meaning in the transcendent
The synthesis of Eastern philosophies
Synthesizing postmodernism and critical theory: deconstructing power structures while seeking social transformation

Synthesis History Essay Topics:

The impact of the Industrial Revolution on social and economic structures
The role of nationalism in the outbreak of World War I
The effects of colonialism on indigenous cultures and societies
The influence of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution
The causes and consequences of the French Revolution
The role of religion in shaping medieval European society
The impact of the Renaissance on art, science, and literature
The significance of the Silk Road in connecting civilizations
The effects of the Cold War on global politics and alliances
The role of women in the suffrage movement
The impact of the printing press on the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance
The causes and consequences of the Protestant Reformation
The influence of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations on modern Western society
The effects of imperialism on African nations during the 19th and 20th centuries
The role of technology in shaping the outcome of World War II

Synthesis Sociology Essay Topics:

The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships
The role of gender in shaping societal norms and expectations
The effects of globalization on cultural identity
The relationship between education and social mobility
The influence of mass media on public opinion and political behavior
The dynamics of power and inequality in contemporary society
The role of religion in shaping social values and behaviors
The impact of immigration on social integration and cultural diversity
The intersectionality of race, class, and gender in shaping social experiences
The effects of technology on social interactions and communication patterns
The role of family structure in shaping individual development and socialization
The impact of social movements on social change and political activism
The relationship between crime and social inequality
The influence of social institutions on individual behavior and societal norms
The effects of urbanization on community dynamics and social cohesion

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Synthesis essays are all about taking something old and making it new. This type of essay is an opportunity for students to showcase their analytical and critical thinking skills, while demonstrating their ability to communicate their ideas effectively.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone looking to enhance your writing skills, understanding how to write a synthesis essay is a must-have tool in your arsenal.

So in this post, we’ll provide 40 synthesis essay topics that’ll help you learn the secrets of crafting a top-notch essay that will impress your audience and leave them wanting more.

What is a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay is a piece of writing that combines information from multiple sources into a single, well-supported argument. The goal of a synthesis essay is to evaluate and analyse various sources and to use them to support a specific position or perspective. Unlike a research paper, a synthesis essay does not simply summarise or paraphrase information from other sources. Instead, it requires the writer to engage with the information, synthesising it into a unique and original argument.

How to title a synthesis essay - what you should know

Synthesis essays follow a structured format, which includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

When titling a synthesis essay, you want to reflect the main point or argument of the essay concisely and clearly. Choose a few keywords that accurately summarise the main argument or theme of the essay. Also, be descriptive; the title should give the reader an idea of what the essay will be about.

Secondly, you need to keep it short and sweet: A title should be brief and to the point, ideally no more than 10-12 words.

Finally, avoid vague or generic terms like "Synthesis Essay" or "Combining Sources." Instead, try to be more specific and descriptive. Remember, the title should accurately reflect the content of the essay and be attractive to the reader.

Synthesis essay topics to get you started

Learning how to ask some crucial synthesis essay questions can prepare you for the writing process. However, not everyone finds it easy to pick a topic. Here are 40 strong synthesis essay ideas for you.

Best topics to write a synthesis essay on for students

The history of climate change and its impact on the earth's ecosystems
The role of technology and social media in shaping modern society
The pros and cons of genetically modified crops
The relationship between extreme differences in socioeconomic status and economic growth
The impact of social media on self-esteem, personal relationships, and communication
The role of the government in regulating the use of natural resources
The impact of globalisation on small businesses and local economies
The relationship between mental health and technology usage

Fresh synthesis essay prompt ideas

The impact of social media on our daily lives and communication skills
The relationship between mental health and stress in the modern workplace
The impact of climate change on global food production and scarcity
The intersection of technology and privacy rights
The ethics of artificial intelligence and its impact on the job market
The impact of globalisation on cultural identity
The impact of the gig economy on job stability and financial security
The role of the government in promoting renewable energy sources

Good synthesis essay topics

The use of drones for delivery services: a balance between convenience and privacy concerns
The impact of the gig economy on traditional employment structures
The ethics of using AI in decision-making processes
The influence of celebrity culture on consumer behaviour and marketing
The stifling effect of the internet on traditional media outlets
The relationship between multiculturalism and national identity
The role of alternative energy sources in reducing dependence on fossil fuels
The effects of virtual reality on human behaviour and social interactions

Interesting topics for a synthesis essay

The impact of Art in modern commercials
How social media promotes stereotyping in relationships
The relationship between mental health and crime
The effects of social media on personal privacy and security
The relationship between poverty and crime
The role of media in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards crime
The intersection of race, gender, and criminal justice in the United States

Simple synthesis essay topic ideas

The influence of social and economic factors on crime rates
The impact of social media on modern politics and elections
The connection between poverty and crime rates
The effects of gentrification on urban communities
The role of technology in modern education
The relationship between mental health and the criminal justice system
The relationship between income inequality and access to healthcare
The effects of climate change on global food security

A synthesis essay is a unique and challenging type of writing that requires students to analyse, evaluate and incorporate information from multiple sources into a single and well-supported argument. Writing a synthesis essay can be a rewarding experience, as it provides the opportunity to engage with information, think critically and creatively, and present original and well-supported.

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100 Good Synthesis Essay Topics for Inquisitive Minds and Brilliant Papers

Synthesis is a style of writing that draws information from many sources and combines them into a coherent argument, discussion, or informative digest. Depending on a particular type of paper, synthesis can provide extensive supporting evidence for an argument, present an overview of differing theories, or give a balanced account of opposing viewpoints. Synthesis is used for argumentative essays, research papers, business reports, literature reviews, and analysis papers.

Thorough research plays a pivotal role in producing a solid synthesis essay. When brainstorming synthesis paper ideas, it is vital to narrow down the scope, otherwise, the research volume will quickly become unruly. For example, a topic such as "Global warming" is by far too broad. It is impossible to give a comprehensive account of the phenomenon, its causes, effects, possible solutions, and theories surrounding it in one college paper. However, something more defined, such as "Effects of global warming on polar bears," is already manageable.

Below you will find a list of 100 synthesis essay topic examples along with some model written works attached to them. To help you find the best fit quicker, we have grouped the topics by subject categories.

Education Synthesis Paper Topics

On the surface, many synthesis essay prompts look just like suggestions for any other argumentative or persuasive paper, and the difference is not that easy to spot. For example, the free-response section of the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition test (often shortened to AP Lang) includes three essays, the first of which is synthesis, and the last is argumentative. Both give the assertion and ask you to defend, challenge, or qualify it using the supporting evidence. The only difference is that for the synthesis essay, you are given 6 or 7 excerpts, of which you should use at least 3 combined to make your case for the claim. Therefore, the key for the synthesis is to work with multiple sources and draw cohesive conclusions from a diverse pool of information.

"So, how shall I write my essay , then?" Great question! The key is to find the right organization strategy. Depending on the genre of your synthesis paper, you can use one of the following:

Comparison and contrast – summarize each source highlighting differences and similarities (works best for overviews)
Problem and solution – put forward a problem as a thesis and offer several solutions based on your pool of sources (works best for reports and research papers)
Climactic order – start from the least potent evidence and climb up to the most significant and persuasive (works best for arguments).

Ready to pick your topic? Let's start with something close to home – education.

Teaching English reading to Arabic students
Criticism of the evidence-based practice
Research synthesis: systematic phonics instruction
Understanding the concept of friendship
Effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance of college students
Pros and cons of punishing off-campus cyberbullying
What are the pros and cons of single-sex classrooms?
What are the arguments for and against school uniforms?
Teaching gifted students in inclusive classrooms
Tackling sensitive topics in preschool and elementary education
Sex education: finding the balance between curriculum requirements and parental objections
Challenges and benefits of self-directed education
The correlation between standardized test scores and later academic achievements
Teacher's role in career orientation
Challenges and possibilities of teaching in a low-tech classroom
Strategies for working with difficult students

Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

Persuasive writing is arguably the most interesting genre to work with, but at the same time, the most challenging. It takes more than rhetorical prowess to overturn the opinions of others. The key to success is methodical research and the ability to understand your opponent's reasoning. With the following argumentative synthesis topics, you will have an excellent opportunity to practice that!

Should faith schools be banned?
Should evolution theory be taught in public schools?
Should marijuana be legalized in all 50 states for recreational (as well as medical) use?
Should parents be allowed to spank their children?
Should English be the official language in the United States?
Should prostitution be legalized?
Why we should increase military spending
Should we ban pit bulls?
Should we lower the drinking age?
Should we vaccinate our children?
Should prayer be allowed in schools?
Should we all be vegetarian?
Should we trust the media?
Should we raise the age limit for obtaining a driving license?
Should community colleges be tuition-free?
Gun control: should the US follow Australian practices?
Should marriage be abolished?

STEM, Biology, and Natural Resources Synthesis Essay Ideas

Below you will find synthesis essay topic ideas for a wide range of subject areas from IT to Ecology. Don't forget to check out the free samples attached to select topics as a studying aid.

Perspectives of the project-based learning for STEM education
Continuum mechanics applications in nanotubes
Electrical conductivity as a function of nanoadditive (carbon-based) in biopolymer
Comparing turboprop and turbojet engines
Securing cloud network infrastructure using Bayesian predictive analysis against unrecognized malware
The capability of crystalline silicon, thin-film solar cells, and photonic nanostructures to enhance the efficiency of solar panels for domestic use
Main challenges of the emerging translation and speech generation technology
Artificial Intelligence: problems and perspectives
Analysis of oil palm shell concrete
Oxidation and advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment
Understanding the implications of global warming
Fracking in the United States: energy over health?
Economic growth vs. conservation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil
Deforestation and its impact on biodiversity
Risk factors of future zoonosis epidemics and possible solutions
Climate change impact on public health and life expectancy
Problems and perspectives of introduced species in developing countries

Arts and Literature Topics for Synthesis Essays

Art is a creative synthesis by definition, so it lends itself readily to this type of writing. If you need topics for a synthesis essay on music, literature, visual art, or pop culture, look in this section.

What is leitmotif: from Wagner to Stephen Sondheim
The problem of objectification in show business
The role of consumerism in the crisis of contemporary art
The significance of environment in art installations
The renaissance of mural art: the good, the bad, and the ugly
A brief history of body horror
Nathaniel Hawthorne's views on gender in The Scarlet Letter
Public perception of the arts and the disconnection between the value of art and the value of artists
Theme and narrative elements in the short story The Welcome Table by Alice Walker
The use of jazz in the short story Sony's Blues by Baldwin
Gender divide and role reversal in Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare
Themes explored in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Themes explored in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Transcendentalism thoughts in contemporary culture
Naturalism in Jose Austacio Rivera's The Vortex
History and way of life in biographies by Sima Qian
Conflicts and social expectations in Troncoso's and Smith's literary works

Synthesis Topics to Write About Politics, Law, and Society

Politics is a hotbed of controversial issues, so there will be plenty of challenging matters to tackle in these explanatory synthesis essay topics.

The court-martial of General Sinclair
The relation of poverty and exposure to crime in adolescent men
Labor market inequalities
Human sex-trafficking: the Canadian perspective
Skill shortage in the Canadian labor market
What are the challenges faced by Saudi women and the business opportunities available to them
The relative importance of class and other stratification in post-industrial society
The components of the Immigration Modernization Act of 2013
Female teens' participation in Athletics
Significance of food to religion
Religion in the Arab world
An overview of the world religions
Developing world's role in global warming
Effectiveness of neuromarketing in comparison to traditional marketing methods
Corporate governance in the US and abroad
Comparison between supermarkets and discounters in the UK
Historic living cities and heritage planning

Nursing and Healthcare Synthesis Essay Topics

Health is the real wealth, so it probably should top our synthesis essay topics list. However, we decided to finish strong and crown our work with topic suggestions on nursing and medicine.

Challenges and strategies of building health information technology workforce
Barriers of implementation TQM approach in HCOS
Strategies to decrease the turnover in nursing
The unintended consequence of ACOS
Mental health issues in sexual assault survivors
Ways of achieving higher levels of education and training for nurses
Maintaining emotional wellbeing in a nursing profession
The effectiveness of Ginkgo Biloba for Alzheimer's disease treatment
Health effects of dietary fiber
Effects of public smoking
Causes of autism
Effect of physical activity in preventing/treating cardiovascular disease
Risk factors and possible causes of cancer
The efficiency of placebo for relief of pain with different algogenesis
Cognitive impairment and sexuality: attitudes, support, and prevention of exploitation
Bioethical dilemmas of prenatal diagnosis

Elements of synthesis can be found in the majority of academic papers. We invite you to explore our database of research papers, literature reviews, reports, and argumentative papers to master this writing style and find inspiration for topics on any subject you like. Stay curious and love writing!

Jana Rooheart

Jana Rooheart came to WOWESSAYS™ with a mission to put together and then slice and dice our vast practical experience in crafting all kinds of academic papers. Jana is an aspired blogger with rich expertise in psychology, digital learning tools, and creative writing. In this blog, she willingly shares tricks of pencraft and mind-altering ideas about academic writing any student will find utterly beneficial.

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Writing Tips

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

4-minute read

31st May 2023

Are you writing a synthesis essay? This is a paper that combines information from a variety of sources to form a new idea. Essentially, you’re synthesizing existing concepts and arguments to create something original.

As a student, you’ll probably have to write a synthesis essay at some point. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to write one effectively.

Step 1. Define Your Idea or Argument

If you haven’t done so already, decide on a topic to write about. Read up about it using a variety of credible sources and make detailed notes while you research. Make sure you keep track of the sources you decide to pull information from so that you can cite them properly later.

Make a list of key points from your research. Once you have a good selection of material to work with, start developing your own idea or argument. This will be the focus of your essay.

Step 2. Create an Outline

Synthesis essays generally follow this format: an introduction, a handful of main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It’s a good idea to come up with an essay plan before you start writing so that you can keep things organized while you work.

The outline is mainly helpful for deciding what to include in your body paragraphs. Decide what supporting points (and counterarguments ) from your research you want to include, and which order you want to discuss them in. You should have enough information to flesh out one paragraph for each point.

Step 3. Write Your Introduction

In your introduction, you should open with something that hooks the reader and captures their attention. Then, state your argument or idea (i.e., your thesis statement) and briefly summarize the material you’ll be including in your essay. You should also include any relevant background information here.

Step 4. Write the Body Paragraphs

Using your outline, discuss each point from your source material in more depth, devoting a body paragraph to each. Explain the information from the outside source, including appropriate citations, and discuss how it connects with your idea.

It’s a good idea to mostly focus on points that support your argument, but you should also include a paragraph with a counterargument or two. This means discussing a perspective that doesn’t necessarily align with your idea, and then explaining why your argument still works.

Step 5. Tie It All Together With a Conclusion

The conclusion should leave the reader feeling convinced of your idea. Restate your point clearly and summarize the main points you’ve discussed. You could also offer any concluding reflections on the topic.

Different Types of Synthesis Essays

While you can follow our steps for any type of synthesis essay, yours will probably fall under one of two categories: explanatory or argumentative.

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Argumentative essays are as they sound – they present an argument. With an argumentative essay, you’ll take a more definitive stance on something and use your supporting material to persuade the reader.

Explanatory essays don’t necessarily take a side one way or the other. Rather, they focus on developing and explaining a concept thoroughly. Knowing which type of essay you’re writing will help you to gather more effective source material for your purpose.

Cite Your Sources

Since synthesis essays are particularly dependent on outside material, it’s especially important that you cite your sources correctly. Familiarize yourself with your referencing system before you start researching so you know what information you need to keep track of, and include appropriate citations whenever you use someone else’s work.

At the end of the essay, you’ll need to compile your sources into a reference list following the requirements of your style guide.

Summary: Writing a Synthesis Essay

Hopefully, this post has helped you to feel more confident in writing a synthesis essay. Choose a topic first, do your research, keep track of your sources, and develop an argument or idea. From there, you can organize your thoughts into an outline and get to writing!

Once you’ve created a first draft, make sure you send it our way! We’ll check it for errors in grammar, spelling, referencing, and more. Try it out for free today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a synthesis essay.

A synthesis essay gathers ideas and viewpoints from several different sources and ties them together to form a new concept.

How long is a synthesis essay?

Synthesis essays usually follow the five-paragraph format, with an introduction, three main body paragraphs discussing different points, and a conclusion.

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Essay Examples

Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis essays are to be written with a meticulous approach. You should employ a considerable amount of sources. You are expected to pass judgment as to how important the topic is and give your answer to the question stated by revealing adequate familiarity with the relevant sources.

Finding touchpoints between different standpoints
The main statement
Drawing parallels
Proofread and edit
How did the 2nd World War affect Germany in comparison with other nations?
What signs of patriarchy are left behind and which persist?
What are the approaches to dealing with global warming in different nations?
How effective is secondary education today?
Does sex education at schools raise awareness as good as it should?
How effective and convenient are passenger airlines today?
What makes the idea of community market so appealing?
How the new forms of correspondence (texting and chatting) affect overall literacy?
How do social media change the everyday life of a student?
How does the chaotic deforestation in some countries affect the global agriculture?
Is ecology taken into account when developing new housing areas?
How can we try to rationalize the mind of a religious fanatic?
How do former colonial empires sustain their cultural influence over former colonies?
What do professional sports have in common with being fit?
How does China execute cultural and economic expansion today?
Why does homosexuality occur among different representations of the fauna?
What is the difference between child disorders caused by clinical and social reasons?
Is there a difference between racism against US-born and non-US-born people?
Why are some children reluctant to read books?
What factors influence fashion?
Can zero tolerance be justified?
Is war always a bad thing?
Is global warming caused by human activities?
Do video games really make the players more violent?
How volunteering changes the world?
How essential is violent imagery to various forms of art?
How effective is the scholarship system?
Are the school uniforms necessary or rudimentary?
Is the American dream still alive?
Should the technological progress be better controlled and how?
Can saving money penny by penny really make you richer?
Is death penalty barbaric or necessary?
How has the role of television in our lives changed in the past few decades?
What is terrorism, what causes it, and how it can be prevented?
Should the new technologies be implemented in school faster?
What makes Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby a good read today?
Are Miller’s ideas from The Crucible still up to date?
Is the enthusiasm of space exploration programs justified?
Should social media be better controlled and how?
Why were school uniforms introduced and why they lost popularity in the education system?
Is community service an effective solution?
Is daylight savings time still justified?
What is the role of invasive species?
How effective and how justified is racial profiling?
What are the origins of races?
Why does racism still occur?
Can poverty be defeated once and for all?
How have the Presidential elections changed in the past 50 years?
Why is poetry still important?
How has photography become an art?
Does racial profiling still happen?
Have the cellphones made our lives better or worse?
Why is obesity becoming an increasing problem?
Has Lord of the Flies come true?
Why does childhood obesity happen in such amounts?
How do we fall for advertising?
How does nature adapt to the technogenetic environment?
Which parts of human nature are inborn and which are conditioned socially?
Is mandatory community service effective?
Why do museums still exist?
How has the social role of shopping malls evolved in the last 50 years?
Are celebrity memoirs a worthy read?
How has the infrastructure of the media changed with the introduction of smartphones?
Is multiculturalism a utopic idea or is it possible?
Why are superstitions still so widespread?
Do social media make it easier to socialize or do they create extra obstacles?
Why have locavores become a thing?
Does ideal love happen in our world?
What makes up a good read?
What are the main reasons for immigration today? Do they validate it?
How to describe the identity of a person?
Are new technologies implemented at schools on a sufficient level?
Is there too much violent imagery in the media today?
How important is the image of a body today?
Is Huckleberry Finn still a character to look up to?
Why does individual nature show under extreme circumstances?
Is homeschooling a good idea?
Does global warming get enough coverage in the media?
Is gun control sufficient?
Is the legalization of gay marriage the next logical step in the evolution of the society?
What is the role of gender today?
Should genetic engineering be enforced with more enthusiasm?
What are the circumstances influencing the gender roles?
What are the long-term effects of globalization?
Does Frankenstein remain a good read due to the expressed ideas or due to Mary Shelley’s good writing?
What changes are urgent for the education system?
Is euthanasia a murder or an act of mercy?
How misguiding can an advertisement be?
Is environment really at such peril as the media want us to think?
Why does eminent domain exist and should it still exist?
Is space exploration vital to the survival of mankind?
Why is divorce harder than a marriage?
Is the enforcement of legal drinking age effective?
How to spot depression and how to confront it?

Any of the above topics should be quite easy to write about. At the same time, you'll have a chance to back your point with actual stats and research. So, good luck! If you need to know how to write an abstract apa for your essay, you can discover our blog.

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How to Write a Synthesis Essay: Examples, Topics, & Outline

A synthesis essay requires you to work with multiple sources. You combine the information gathered from them to present a well-rounded argument on a topic. Are you looking for the ultimate guide on synthesis essay writing? You’ve come to the right place!

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

In this guide by our custom writing team, you will find:

a step-by-step writing guide;
a list of 34 synthesis essay topics;
a full essay sample in MLA format.
📚 Synthesis Essay Definition
📝 Essay Types
✅ Step-by-Step Guide
✍️ Topics & Prompts
📑 Example & Formatting Tips

📚 What Is a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay is an assignment that requires a unique interpretation of a particular topic using several reliable sources. To write it, you need to understand, analyze, and synthesize information. That is why this type of essay is used in the AP Lang exam to assess students’ reasoning skills.

The key features of the synthesis essay are:

Debatable topic . If your goal is to write a good synthesis essay, it’s necessary to choose an arguable topic. It’s best to choose something that people have different opinions about. This will allow you to use many sources with various viewpoints for your synthesis.
Clear thesis statement. It’s a sentence that briefly describes the main idea of your essay.
Reliable sources to prove your thesis . For a synthesis essay, your opinion is not enough. You also need to find the evidence. Keep in mind that simply reading an online encyclopedia won’t do; make sure to choose only reliable sources.

What Does It Mean to Synthesize Information?

Synthesis is a process that has huge importance in nature, science, and our everyday life. The word stems from Ancient Greek “synthesis,” which means “putting together.” In general, synthesis is the combination of components to form a connected whole.

The picture shows examples of synthesis usage in various spheres: biochemistry, physics, and sound creation.

In everyday life, we usually resort to it to synthesize information . This means taking the data from different sources and bringing it together. This process is the opposite of analyzing:

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For an analysis , you break problems into pieces,
For a synthesis , you combine separate elements into a whole.

We use synthesis for analysis papers, research papers, argument papers, and business reports.

What Does Synthesis Mean in Writing?

Synthesis in writing means summarizing and connecting different sources considering a particular topic. Although synthesis and analysis are two opposite things, they usually go together in synthesis essays. The process consists of 2 stages:

Conduct the analysis. For that, you break down a problem into parts and analyze the sources. It’s helpful to highlight everything regarding your topic while reading.
Carry out the synthesis. The next step is to formulate an opinion and combine the highlighted information from the sources.

Synthesis is not only used in writing but also in reading comprehension . It’s useful to do this kind of reading while studying your sources. There are three reading comprehension stages:

Your previous knowledge about the topic.
Expansion of your knowledge while you are reading.
Understanding of the problem when you have finished reading.

So, synthesized reading comprehension means combining three stages in one and formulating one statement.

Synthesis vs Summary: What Is the Difference?

A summary is a paraphrasing of the written source in your own words. For a good summary, it’s necessary to include all of the text’s key elements. Meanwhile, synthesis means combining different ideas from different sources. You don’t have to include all the key points; just choose everything related to your topic.

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The picture explains the difference between a synthesis and a summary.

Both of these techniques are used for the synthesis essay:

The summary goes in the conclusion. You briefly sum up your paper’s main ideas.
Synthesis goes in the body paragraphs. Here, you combine multiple sources to prove a point.

📝 Synthesis Essay Types

There are two main types of a synthesis essay: argument and explanatory synthesis.

Both of them require working with multiple reliable sources and analyzing information. The only difference is that an argument synthesis essay requires your own opinion, while an explanatory synthesis essay does not.

Argument Synthesis Essay: Outline and Definition

As you already know, an argument synthesis essay requires you to state your own opinion about the given topic and back it up with several reliable sources. The purpose of such an essay is to persuade the reader that your point is correct.

Here’s what an argument synthesis essay consists of:

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Explanatory Synthesis Essay: Definition and How to Write

An explanatory informative synthesis essay requires you to stay neutral towards the problem you are discussing. This means you cannot express your own opinion considering the given question or a problem. Your task is just to inform the reader. That’s why this essay type is also called informative synthesis.

Check out this explanatory essay outline:

✅ How to Write a Synthesis Essay Step by Step

When it comes to the synthesis essay outline, it’s not too different from other assignments. Have a look at this template:

The picture shows a synthesis essay outline: introduction, main body, and conclusion.

How to Synthesize: Working with Sources

After you’ve decided on your topic, it’s time to figure out how to synthesize articles into one text. This is how you do it:

Choose reliable sources: the ones printed in journals or published on academic websites.
Become familiar with them and see if they fit into your essay.
Try to find a few sources for each point. It will increase your essay’s reliability.
Relate each source to your arguments and see similarities between them.
Don’t forget to list every source in the references.

When you are done with a comprehensive analysis of related literature, try to step back and imagine a person who has a different opinion on this topic. Think of some arguments that they can provide to prove their opinion. After you have the list of arguments, find the written evidence of why they are wrong and put them in your essay.

Analyzing and organizing sources is the first and very important step for the synthesis essay. So make sure you do understand what the text means before using it as a reference.

Synthesis Essay Outline: How to Write

For structuring your essay, it’s useful to try mapping . This technique means combining the information from different sources and rearranging it to create a new direction. To do it, you need to analyze the authors’ ideas and come up with your own conclusions.

The best way to do that is called synthesis matrix or graphic organizer. It’s a chart that you can make when you start working on your essay. Here you have a horizontal column that states the main ideas and a few vertical columns that present sources. Your task is to take sources you have chosen and write down the main ideas from them.

Here’s an example of a matrix chart:

While doing that, you will see how many sources contain the same ideas. When you analyze them, you will be able to formulate your thesis backed up with evidence. The synthesis matrix also helps to see new arguments you can cover in your synthesis paper.

How to Write an Introduction for a Synthesis Essay

Now it’s time to start writing the paper. In the introductory part of the essay, you can include:

A short yet catchy sentence or a quotation that would present the topic. The start of your essay should make people interested. It’s best to make the first sentence not only informative but also easy to understand.
The texts that are used for the essay. Provide the titles and the authors’ names (use the appropriate guidelines depending on the writing style.)
The background information which is needed to understand your essay. Definitions of terms or unknown words considering the topic can be included in this part. Otherwise, people may find it hard to understand what they are reading about.

How to Write a Thesis for a Synthesis Essay

A thesis statement is a point of view on a certain problem that you will defend in your essay. It should contain the key points that you want to include in your paper. Here’s how to create a perfect thesis statement:

Find several central ideas in the chart.
Choose the ones that are repeated the most often and the ones that you feel need to be in your essay.
Combine them, and you have a thesis statement with all the key points.
Make a draft of the thesis statement. Try to formulate the main idea you want to present in your essay.
Elaborate on this idea. Add some details and expand it a bit further.

If the whole picture is coherent, and it conveys exactly what you wanted, then this is your perfect thesis statement. See the example below:

Gender inequality still exists at the workplace: women are less likely to get the most responsible positions, easily lose careers due to maternity leave, and often receive less pay for the same amount of work.

How to Write Synthesis Paragraphs for the Main Body

Your essay’s main body consists of a few paragraphs. Each of them presents a different argument considering the topic. When you start a paragraph, make sure to begin with a topic sentence, which informs the reader about the paragraph’s main idea. Then, include the synthesized sources and elaborate on them.

Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when writing the main body:

You can use the following words to present the ideas from your sources. They will help you reflect the authors’ tone:

How to Conclude a Synthesis Essay

There are quite a few ways to conclude the synthesis paper. Have a look at some of the options:

Paraphrase the thesis. As you remember, the thesis is the main idea of your essay. The conclusion is a good place to remind your readers about it. When they are done with the reading, they remember the most important thing from your essay.
Synthesize the arguments. There is no need to repeat everything you wrote in your essay. Just briefly summarize the most crucial points.
Answer the “So what” question. Tell the readers why this topic matters, why you’ve chosen it, and why it’s valuable for the reader.
Provide a closure. It’s an effective strategy when you want to make the reader think. Leave them with a strong statement at the end of your essay.

Synthesis Paper Proofreading Tips

When you have finally written your paper, there is still one important thing left to do. You need to check your paper for any grammatical and contextual mistakes. You certainly can do it yourself, but it would be perfect if you could ask somebody else to read it.

The first thing you need to check grammar-wise is the tense you are using. There is no single tense you need to use for the synthesis essay. It depends on the format:

If you’re writing in MLA format, use the present tense;
For APA essays, you use the past tense.

The next step is to check whether your synthesis essay has everything that’s required. For that, we have prepared the checklist of questions you can ask yourself to proofread your essays.

Is there a clear thesis statement?
Did you include all of the key points from the synthesis?
Are there clear transitions between paragraphs?
Did you organize a paragraph around a single idea?
Did you use reliable and up-to-date sources?
Did you analyze sources rather than just summarize them?
Did you mention every source you’ve used?

If you’ve answered “yes” to all the questions—congratulations, you are done with the essay! Otherwise, you need to come back and fix everything that you’ve answered “no” to.

✍️ Synthesis Essay Topics and Prompts

Sometimes, when you don’t have a topic , it is tough to come up with a suitable idea. That is why we have prepared two lists of topics that you can use for any synthesis essay type.

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

The topics below are suitable for an explanatory synthesis essay:

The beginning of Hollywood cinema . Cinema is a huge industry in the USA. Tell the readers about its history. Describe what it was like in the beginning, which movie was the first one, and who started this industry.
Tactics on dealing with noisy children. Sometimes kids can be very loud, especially in public places. Write about different tactics that can help with this issue.
The effects of climate change on the water cycle.  Climate change has affected the water cycle significantly. Your task is to explain how.
The best American cities to live in. Provide the list of the best cities and explain why you’ve included them.
The importance of a healthy diet . Keeping a healthy diet is beneficial in many ways. Write about all the advantages it brings.
Who can become an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurship is not for everybody. In this essay, you can describe the qualities needed for having your own business.
The correlation between overpopulation and poverty . Describe how overpopulation leads to poverty and vice versa.
The advantages of taking an active vacation.
Cultural shock as a part of moving to a different country.
The consequences of the first wave of feminism.
Synthesis of Tan and Rodriguez’ essays ideas.
Difficulties you may encounter during the job interview.
How does reading prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses.
The connection between religion and politics in ruling the country.
What can non-verbal signals tell you about a person ?
The psychology of leadership .
The origins of the most common  stereotypes  about Americans.
Role of social media in business communication .
The synthesis of personal nursing philosophy concept.
Behavioral components of schizophrenia and psychosis.
Main components of successful entrepreneurship.
Critical components of scientific research.
Change in religion and human beliefs throughout history.
The effect of global warming on modern life.

Argument Synthesis Paper Topics

The list of topics for the Argument Synthesis Essay:

Vaping is better than smoking. People are starting to exchange cigarettes for vapes and e-cigarettes. In what ways are they less harmful?
Rich people should pay higher taxes. The same percentage of money doesn’t equal for rich and poor people. Explain why the ones who can afford more should share with others.
Depression is a disease. Prove that psychological problems must be recognized as real health issues that should be cured and not ignored.
Social media affects young people’s lives. Social media has a massive influence on people. In this essay, you can discuss which life spheres are the most affected.
Beauty pageants should be banned. Provide the reasons why they should be banned and tell the reader about psychological problems they can cause.
People should cut meat from their diet to stop global warming. Describe how the meat industry influences climate change.
The voting age should be 25+. Your task is to show the reasons why the votes of people under 25 should not be taken into account during elections.
A healthy lifestyle requires a lot of money.
Each healthy man should serve in the military.
School bullying should be punished by immediate exclusion.
Does friendship exist between men and women?
Drinking coffee is a bad habit.
Working hard is more important than being talented.
Everybody should visit a therapist at least once.
Should universities be free?
Artificial intelligence will cause huge unemployment rates.
Gaming should not be allowed to children under 18.
Components and strategies of social responsibility
Integration of relevant ethical theory and conceptual principles in health care
Children under 10 should be banned from gadgets .
Social media platforms facilitate cyberbullying.
Issues of distance education .
Social media addiction is a serious disease.
Deforestation critically contributes to global warming.
Healthcare should be free for everyone.

📑 Synthesis Essay Example & Synthesis Essay Format Tips

Now let’s talk about formatting. There are two writing styles you can use for a synthesis essay: APA or MLA. You need to choose the one that is required for your assignment.

We will start with the paper in APA format. It is usually used in science and education.

And these are MLA formatting rules:

Finally, we’ve prepared a synthesis essay sample for you to check out. Feel free to download the PDF file below:

First introduced in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, affirmative action policies aim to mitigate the discrepancy in opportunities available for underrepresented social groups by taking into account one’s minority background. The policies have become a pressing public issue that obstructs previously marginalized individuals, particularly in the educational environment.

Thank you for reading the ultimate guide on synthesis essay writing. We hope you found it helpful. Don’t forget to share it with your friends. Good luck with your assignments!

🔍 References

Writing a Synthesis Essay: Bowling Green State University
What Is Synthesis: University of Manitoba
Synthesis: Biology Online
Reading Strategies: Difference Summarizing and Synthesizing: WordPress
Summary, Analysis, Synthesis Definitions: University of Utah
Argumentative Synthesis: University of Arkansas
How to Synthesize Written Information: Simply Psychology
Mapping of Synthesis Essay: University of Nevada, Reno
Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix: Florida International University
Synthesis Essay: Cleveland State University
Literature Review: Synthesizing Multiple Sources: Louisiana State University
Writing a Conclusion: Texas Women’s University
General APA Guidelines: Purdue University
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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!

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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.

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.

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:

[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.

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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How to Write a Synthesis Essay?

13 June, 2020

16 minutes read

Author: Tomas White

We’ve all wondered how to write a synthesis essay. Synthesis papers are hard to write and offering general advice on them is even harder. However, we will give it a try! Thanks to our expertise and excellent understanding of the subject, you can learn how to write a synthesis essay in no time. So, let’s dive in!

An excellent synthesis essay is based on in-depth analysis of multiple sources. Often it is the sources that dictate the style and method of writing used to analyze, debate, and argue about the ideas in the source material.

What is a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay is a discussion that is based on two or more sources that can come from various places (television, radio, adverts, lectures) but, frankly, it mostly centers on written pieces. Students can be often be assigned to write these types of essays in History class. Their teachers might ask them to analyze a few sources talking about a single issue and synthesize them.

What Does it Mean to Synthesize a Text?

The definition of synthesis is ‘the combination of components or elements to form a connected whole. So, to synthesize a text you have to combine information from a number of sources into a coherent paper.

Sure, dictionary talk on synthesis essay writing never makes much sense. So, to help you out here:

To synthesize your paper means to form a new perspective on an issue by placing extracts from sources next to each other.

One thing a lot of students have trouble with is understanding the difference between synthesizing a text and summarizing it . A summary of a synthesis essay reiterates the critical points of the text to provide an overview. Meanwhile, synthesis moves beyond this by contrasting the critical points of your knowledge on a subject to what other sources say about it.

Different Types of Synthesis Essays

There are mainly two types of synthesis essays – expository and argumentative.

An expository essay explains the issue in as much detail as possible. Expository synthesis essay can also be called research synthesis essay at times. As an excellent synthesis essay example, you can check out any literature review on issues related to the social sciences, such as sociology, linguistics, or psychology. Alternatively, look for synthesis essay examples in books on History.

An argumentative synthesis essay is one where you’re using the source material to prove your claim by citing credible conflicting theories, experiments where the theory was falsified, quotes or statistics. You’re not seeking to explain. You aim to understand how to persuade and write an argumentative essay that supports and proves your argument.

The Purpose of a Synthesis Essay

The purpose of a synthesis essay depends on the type of essay you’ve received, the question that was set and its subject.

Advanced high-grade essays must demonstrate these four things:

Your understanding of the major issues presented in the synthesis essay.
Your understanding of the smaller issues in the sources.
Critical reading, analytical and evaluation skills.
Your ability to develop an argument.

Basically, the purpose of writing a synthesis essay is to assess your ability to form and defend a viewpoint using source materials.

In general, the process of writing a synthesis essay consists of six steps:

Analyzing the source.
Choosing an interesting title.
Building an outline.
Crafting an introduction.
Developing the main body paragraphs.
Writing a conclusion.

So, if you are wondering how to write a good synthesis essay, we’ve got your back!

Now, let’s take a closer look at each one of these points.

Analyzing the Sources

If you have been assigned sources for your synthesis essay, start with reading them in-depth, drawing out how they connect and looking for common themes. Thus, if you are making a comparison on how money is presented in literature, look for what the texts are saying about society’s perceptions of wealth.

It goes without saying that you have to start with the sources. If there are two different perspectives in sociology, see what they have in common before you start working on a synthesis essay.

As you start to build a thread of interest, you can build up an argument or a thesis statement . It’s best to choose sources that encourage discussion.

And unless you lived under a rock you know that the best way to draw connections and threads together is by using some visual aid or tool. This can save you hours of work and take your synthesis essay to a new level.

Choosing an Interesting Title

Start with a working title based on the core issue you’re writing about. Don’t worry about the first draft of your synthesis essay. You’ll come back, clean it, and make it compelling later.

Besides, if you have been given a title, the taking out the keywords or the question can help you focus on the task too.

Nevertheless, bear in mind that the title has to be interesting. It should specify the problem and intrigue the audience. They need to want to keep reading your synthesis essay and to dig a little deeper into your exciting subject. In other words, grab their attention from the start and keep them on the hook!

Related Posts: Argumentative essay topics list

How to Write a Synthesis Essay Outline

Now, that you have studied the sources, understand the issue better and even have an interesting title for your paper, make sure you know how to create a perfect outline for your piece. It will keep you focused as you dive into the writing process and won’t let you lose your sight of the thesis.

As a rule, synthesis essay structure consists of:

An introduction with a hook and a thesis statement;
Main body paragraphs with each one of them supporting the thesis;
A conclusion to summarize the whole piece.

Finally, comes the time to get the show on the road.

We will start the process with an introduction. After all, that’s where it all begins!

Crafting an Introduction to a Synthesis Essay

How to write an introduction to a synthesis essay

An introduction to a synthesis essay should:

Introduce the Topic You’re Discussing.

This is used to clarify the theme or topic you will focus on based on the sources you chose. Here’s an example of a synthesis essay introduction: ‘The sources all discuss and agree that climate change is a serious problem that the world is facing today but disagree over what causes the problems and the solutions to it.’

Specify the Main Sources.

Let the readers know what you are basing your synthesis essay on. And explain how the theme or topic emerges in the text, or how the author in each text addresses the idea and why it is important. For example, ‘Mr. Believer’s speech on climate change recognizes that there is a real threat from the climate affecting the planet. He states that measures should be taken to reduce C02 levels. Meanwhile, Mr. Doubter’s speech questions the science behind the above-mentioned plan using the anecdotal evidence to suggest that it’s a natural change not affected by man.’

Introduce the Thesis Statement.

At the end of the introductory paragraph of a synthesis essay comes a thesis statement. It should answer the question succinctly and state your position on the issue or title of the essay. Moreover, it should explain why this issue is important and how the world would be different without you raising this problem.

If you are not sure how to write a thesis statement , here is our complete guide to help you out!

Here is how your thesis statement should go: ‘Believer makes a compelling argument about how dangerous the climate change is as well as why we need to take an action now to prevent further damage by lowering the C02 emission.’

This is what a comprehensive introduction should look like. Now, let’s move on to the next section of your synthesis essay.

Developing Main Body Paragraphs According to the MEAL Approach

An excellent way to structure the body paragraphs is in applying the MEAL acronym – Main Idea, Evidence and Analysis and Link Back.

MEAL approach to writing a synthesis essay

If that doesn’t make much sense to you, let’s see what it stands for when it comes to synthesis essay.

This is where you want to make a claim on the topic that presents an argument or an author’s position. With the climate change issue as the main subject of a synthesis essay, it can go something like this: “People may try to pass the climate change off as a hoax. However, there is an undeniable link between the human intrusion and CO2 emission problem on the planet.”

The evidence is a quote or a fact or a paraphrase from the sources you have been provided for a synthesis essay. ‘Mr. Believer states that ‘CO2 is the cause of climate change’ supporting his statement with credible scientific evidence.’

At this stage of writing a synthesis essay, you need to specify how the evidence above proves your argument. ‘This demonstrates the global warming theory has significant backing in the scientific community.’

This is just a link back to the central claim of your synthesis essay. ‘Although causal evidence cannot scientifically prove cause and effect, the number of studies cited in these sources find a correlation between an increase in CO2 emission and climate change.’

Last but not least comes a conclusion. Don’t underestimate its potential in the synthesis essay: after all, this is often the only thing the readers will remember after finishing reading your piece.

Writing a Conclusion

It is vital to ensure that a conclusion has proper structure too.

Restate the thesis statement. Remind the readers what the main point of your synthesis essay was. It is always a good idea to help them remember it.
Mention the evidence. You used various sources to support your thesis statement in a synthesis essay. And a conclusion is the perfect time and place to remind of them. Don’t take too long though. Just briefly go over each one of them. If someone forgot something and needs a more vivid reminder, they can go back to a particular place in your article and read it.
Call to action. This might not be applicable all the time. However, if you are trying to persuade the audience in something, you should definitely make sure that use your chance now to encourage them to take measures after finishing your synthesis essay.

All in all, in a conclusion you need to reiterate how the topics are a connection, include a suggestion or conclusion to the arguments.

Synthesis Essay Format for an AP English Exam

Knowing what format meets the requirements of the description of an AP English exam is vital. That is why we strongly recommend you to pay close attention to the formatting you use in the AP language and composition synthesis essay.

The only way to ensure you are referencing correctly is by having the reference guide open as you edit.

If you need assistance with proper MLA and APA formatting at an AP English exam synthesis essay, you can check out our complete guides. They will provide you with comprehensive data on the synthesis essay format for AP English exam.

While still on the subject, you might want to check out our guide on how to write a rhetorical analysis essay , since it is a part of an AP English exam. We have all the answers for you here!

By now you are probably wondering what topics you can opt for when crafting a piece in question. We have prepared a list of themes to take a look at to help you out. So, read on!

Interesting Synthesis Essay Topics

When you choose synthesis essay topics, you should think of subjects that have debates around them. Pick issues with grey areas around them or the ones you can form a unique view or opinion on.

Here are a few synthesis essay topic ideas :

Do video games lead to an increased violent behavior level among teens?
Rehabilitation or capital punishment: Which is the most effective way to deter crime?
How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the WW2?
Social Learning Theory or Biology: Which has the most significant impact on crime?
Does the UFO exist?
Do people cause the climate change?
Should abortions be made legal?
How social media impact our day-to-day lives?
Is euthanasia a murder or an act of mercy?
Is sex education at schools really necessary?

Choose one of our topics for a synthesis essay – and you’ll definitely end up having a great piece with lots of sources to refer to and credible authors to cite.

Now, let’s polish your writing skills and see how general writing differs from the synthesis essay writing in the long run.

Tips on Writing the AP Synthesis Essay

Here are a few tips on how to write the AP lang. synthesis essay with flying colors:

Keep a consistent tone and voice throughout the essay.
Craft good strong argument and specify what your position regarding it is.
Use some of the rhetorical techniques to craft a more compelling evidence (for more on rhetorical essay writing and preparation to the AP English exam or the synthesis essay ap lang. check our guides here).
Know the style and purpose of the essay you are writing.
Always have a clear synthesis essay thesis statement to help you write with purpose.
Bear in mind the importance of the proper APA or MLA writing guides, and always edit with a reference guide in front of you for better results on your AP English synthesis essay.
Analyze the existing sources to find common insightful traits between them.
Develop a thesis statement for the essay to guide your outline.
Map your main points visually. Do these main points have science-backed evidence to support them? Do they contradict each other? Or does one point support your thesis, the other one debunks your theory while the third one contradicts everything mentioned above? Be consistent in your writing and mapping the ideas.

These tips will help you better craft your synthesis essay. And if you’re still having hard times and struggling with the main points of the paper, remember that HandmadeWriting is the best place to ask for help with your synthesis essay! Our professional essay writers are available 24/7. And don’t forget to use our synthesis essay prompts to ease your writing.

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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.

How to Synthesize Written Information from Multiple Sources

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Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

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When you write a literature review or essay, you have to go beyond just summarizing the articles you’ve read – you need to synthesize the literature to show how it all fits together (and how your own research fits in).

Synthesizing simply means combining. Instead of summarizing the main points of each source in turn, you put together the ideas and findings of multiple sources in order to make an overall point.

At the most basic level, this involves looking for similarities and differences between your sources. Your synthesis should show the reader where the sources overlap and where they diverge.

Unsynthesized Example

Franz (2008) studied undergraduate online students. He looked at 17 females and 18 males and found that none of them liked APA. According to Franz, the evidence suggested that all students are reluctant to learn citations style. Perez (2010) also studies undergraduate students. She looked at 42 females and 50 males and found that males were significantly more inclined to use citation software ( p < .05). Findings suggest that females might graduate sooner. Goldstein (2012) looked at British undergraduates. Among a sample of 50, all females, all confident in their abilities to cite and were eager to write their dissertations.

Synthesized Example

Studies of undergraduate students reveal conflicting conclusions regarding relationships between advanced scholarly study and citation efficacy. Although Franz (2008) found that no participants enjoyed learning citation style, Goldstein (2012) determined in a larger study that all participants watched felt comfortable citing sources, suggesting that variables among participant and control group populations must be examined more closely. Although Perez (2010) expanded on Franz’s original study with a larger, more diverse sample…

Step 1: Organize your sources

After collecting the relevant literature, you’ve got a lot of information to work through, and no clear idea of how it all fits together.

Before you can start writing, you need to organize your notes in a way that allows you to see the relationships between sources.

One way to begin synthesizing the literature is to put your notes into a table. Depending on your topic and the type of literature you’re dealing with, there are a couple of different ways you can organize this.

Summary table

A summary table collates the key points of each source under consistent headings. This is a good approach if your sources tend to have a similar structure – for instance, if they’re all empirical papers.

Each row in the table lists one source, and each column identifies a specific part of the source. You can decide which headings to include based on what’s most relevant to the literature you’re dealing with.

For example, you might include columns for things like aims, methods, variables, population, sample size, and conclusion.

For each study, you briefly summarize each of these aspects. You can also include columns for your own evaluation and analysis.

summary table for synthesizing the literature

The summary table gives you a quick overview of the key points of each source. This allows you to group sources by relevant similarities, as well as noticing important differences or contradictions in their findings.

Synthesis matrix

A synthesis matrix is useful when your sources are more varied in their purpose and structure – for example, when you’re dealing with books and essays making various different arguments about a topic.

Each column in the table lists one source. Each row is labeled with a specific concept, topic or theme that recurs across all or most of the sources.

Then, for each source, you summarize the main points or arguments related to the theme.

The purposes of the table is to identify the common points that connect the sources, as well as identifying points where they diverge or disagree.

Step 2: Outline your structure

Now you should have a clear overview of the main connections and differences between the sources you’ve read. Next, you need to decide how you’ll group them together and the order in which you’ll discuss them.

For shorter papers, your outline can just identify the focus of each paragraph; for longer papers, you might want to divide it into sections with headings.

There are a few different approaches you can take to help you structure your synthesis.

If your sources cover a broad time period, and you found patterns in how researchers approached the topic over time, you can organize your discussion chronologically .

That doesn’t mean you just summarize each paper in chronological order; instead, you should group articles into time periods and identify what they have in common, as well as signalling important turning points or developments in the literature.

If the literature covers various different topics, you can organize it thematically .

That means that each paragraph or section focuses on a specific theme and explains how that theme is approached in the literature.

synthesizing the literature using themes

Source Used with Permission: The Chicago School

If you’re drawing on literature from various different fields or they use a wide variety of research methods, you can organize your sources methodologically .

That means grouping together studies based on the type of research they did and discussing the findings that emerged from each method.

If your topic involves a debate between different schools of thought, you can organize it theoretically .

That means comparing the different theories that have been developed and grouping together papers based on the position or perspective they take on the topic, as well as evaluating which arguments are most convincing.

Step 3: Write paragraphs with topic sentences

What sets a synthesis apart from a summary is that it combines various sources. The easiest way to think about this is that each paragraph should discuss a few different sources, and you should be able to condense the overall point of the paragraph into one sentence.

This is called a topic sentence , and it usually appears at the start of the paragraph. The topic sentence signals what the whole paragraph is about; every sentence in the paragraph should be clearly related to it.

A topic sentence can be a simple summary of the paragraph’s content:

“Early research on [x] focused heavily on [y].”

For an effective synthesis, you can use topic sentences to link back to the previous paragraph, highlighting a point of debate or critique:

“Several scholars have pointed out the flaws in this approach.” “While recent research has attempted to address the problem, many of these studies have methodological flaws that limit their validity.”

By using topic sentences, you can ensure that your paragraphs are coherent and clearly show the connections between the articles you are discussing.

As you write your paragraphs, avoid quoting directly from sources: use your own words to explain the commonalities and differences that you found in the literature.

Don’t try to cover every single point from every single source – the key to synthesizing is to extract the most important and relevant information and combine it to give your reader an overall picture of the state of knowledge on your topic.

Step 4: Revise, edit and proofread

Like any other piece of academic writing, synthesizing literature doesn’t happen all in one go – it involves redrafting, revising, editing and proofreading your work.

Checklist for Synthesis

Do I introduce the paragraph with a clear, focused topic sentence?
Do I discuss more than one source in the paragraph?
Do I mention only the most relevant findings, rather than describing every part of the studies?
Do I discuss the similarities or differences between the sources, rather than summarizing each source in turn?
Do I put the findings or arguments of the sources in my own words?
Is the paragraph organized around a single idea?
Is the paragraph directly relevant to my research question or topic?
Is there a logical transition from this paragraph to the next one?

Further Information

How to Synthesise: a Step-by-Step Approach

Help…I”ve Been Asked to Synthesize!

Learn how to Synthesise (combine information from sources)

How to write a Psychology Essay

Suggestions or feedback?

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Natural language boosts LLM performance in coding, planning, and robotics

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Three boxes demonstrate different tasks assisted by natural language. One is a rectangle showing colorful lines of code with a white speech bubble highlighting an abstraction; another is a pale 3D kitchen, and another is a robotic quadruped dropping a can into a trash bin.

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Large language models (LLMs) are becoming increasingly useful for programming and robotics tasks, but for more complicated reasoning problems, the gap between these systems and humans looms large. Without the ability to learn new concepts like humans do, these systems fail to form good abstractions — essentially, high-level representations of complex concepts that skip less-important details — and thus sputter when asked to do more sophisticated tasks. Luckily, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) researchers have found a treasure trove of abstractions within natural language. In three papers to be presented at the International Conference on Learning Representations this month, the group shows how our everyday words are a rich source of context for language models, helping them build better overarching representations for code synthesis, AI planning, and robotic navigation and manipulation. The three separate frameworks build libraries of abstractions for their given task: LILO (library induction from language observations) can synthesize, compress, and document code; Ada (action domain acquisition) explores sequential decision-making for artificial intelligence agents; and LGA (language-guided abstraction) helps robots better understand their environments to develop more feasible plans. Each system is a neurosymbolic method, a type of AI that blends human-like neural networks and program-like logical components. LILO: A neurosymbolic framework that codes Large language models can be used to quickly write solutions to small-scale coding tasks, but cannot yet architect entire software libraries like the ones written by human software engineers. To take their software development capabilities further, AI models need to refactor (cut down and combine) code into libraries of succinct, readable, and reusable programs. Refactoring tools like the previously developed MIT-led Stitch algorithm can automatically identify abstractions, so, in a nod to the Disney movie “Lilo & Stitch,” CSAIL researchers combined these algorithmic refactoring approaches with LLMs. Their neurosymbolic method LILO uses a standard LLM to write code, then pairs it with Stitch to find abstractions that are comprehensively documented in a library. LILO’s unique emphasis on natural language allows the system to do tasks that require human-like commonsense knowledge, such as identifying and removing all vowels from a string of code and drawing a snowflake. In both cases, the CSAIL system outperformed standalone LLMs, as well as a previous library learning algorithm from MIT called DreamCoder, indicating its ability to build a deeper understanding of the words within prompts. These encouraging results point to how LILO could assist with things like writing programs to manipulate documents like Excel spreadsheets, helping AI answer questions about visuals, and drawing 2D graphics.

“Language models prefer to work with functions that are named in natural language,” says Gabe Grand SM '23, an MIT PhD student in electrical engineering and computer science, CSAIL affiliate, and lead author on the research. “Our work creates more straightforward abstractions for language models and assigns natural language names and documentation to each one, leading to more interpretable code for programmers and improved system performance.”

When prompted on a programming task, LILO first uses an LLM to quickly propose solutions based on data it was trained on, and then the system slowly searches more exhaustively for outside solutions. Next, Stitch efficiently identifies common structures within the code and pulls out useful abstractions. These are then automatically named and documented by LILO, resulting in simplified programs that can be used by the system to solve more complex tasks.

The MIT framework writes programs in domain-specific programming languages, like Logo, a language developed at MIT in the 1970s to teach children about programming. Scaling up automated refactoring algorithms to handle more general programming languages like Python will be a focus for future research. Still, their work represents a step forward for how language models can facilitate increasingly elaborate coding activities. Ada: Natural language guides AI task planning Just like in programming, AI models that automate multi-step tasks in households and command-based video games lack abstractions. Imagine you’re cooking breakfast and ask your roommate to bring a hot egg to the table — they’ll intuitively abstract their background knowledge about cooking in your kitchen into a sequence of actions. In contrast, an LLM trained on similar information will still struggle to reason about what they need to build a flexible plan. Named after the famed mathematician Ada Lovelace, who many consider the world’s first programmer, the CSAIL-led “Ada” framework makes headway on this issue by developing libraries of useful plans for virtual kitchen chores and gaming. The method trains on potential tasks and their natural language descriptions, then a language model proposes action abstractions from this dataset. A human operator scores and filters the best plans into a library, so that the best possible actions can be implemented into hierarchical plans for different tasks. “Traditionally, large language models have struggled with more complex tasks because of problems like reasoning about abstractions,” says Ada lead researcher Lio Wong, an MIT graduate student in brain and cognitive sciences, CSAIL affiliate, and LILO coauthor. “But we can combine the tools that software engineers and roboticists use with LLMs to solve hard problems, such as decision-making in virtual environments.”

When the researchers incorporated the widely-used large language model GPT-4 into Ada, the system completed more tasks in a kitchen simulator and Mini Minecraft than the AI decision-making baseline “Code as Policies.” Ada used the background information hidden within natural language to understand how to place chilled wine in a cabinet and craft a bed. The results indicated a staggering 59 and 89 percent task accuracy improvement, respectively. With this success, the researchers hope to generalize their work to real-world homes, with the hopes that Ada could assist with other household tasks and aid multiple robots in a kitchen. For now, its key limitation is that it uses a generic LLM, so the CSAIL team wants to apply a more powerful, fine-tuned language model that could assist with more extensive planning. Wong and her colleagues are also considering combining Ada with a robotic manipulation framework fresh out of CSAIL: LGA (language-guided abstraction). Language-guided abstraction: Representations for robotic tasks Andi Peng SM ’23, an MIT graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science and CSAIL affiliate, and her coauthors designed a method to help machines interpret their surroundings more like humans, cutting out unnecessary details in a complex environment like a factory or kitchen. Just like LILO and Ada, LGA has a novel focus on how natural language leads us to those better abstractions. In these more unstructured environments, a robot will need some common sense about what it’s tasked with, even with basic training beforehand. Ask a robot to hand you a bowl, for instance, and the machine will need a general understanding of which features are important within its surroundings. From there, it can reason about how to give you the item you want.

In LGA’s case, humans first provide a pre-trained language model with a general task description using natural language, like “bring me my hat.” Then, the model translates this information into abstractions about the essential elements needed to perform this task. Finally, an imitation policy trained on a few demonstrations can implement these abstractions to guide a robot to grab the desired item. Previous work required a person to take extensive notes on different manipulation tasks to pre-train a robot, which can be expensive. Remarkably, LGA guides language models to produce abstractions similar to those of a human annotator, but in less time. To illustrate this, LGA developed robotic policies to help Boston Dynamics’ Spot quadruped pick up fruits and throw drinks in a recycling bin. These experiments show how the MIT-developed method can scan the world and develop effective plans in unstructured environments, potentially guiding autonomous vehicles on the road and robots working in factories and kitchens.

“In robotics, a truth we often disregard is how much we need to refine our data to make a robot useful in the real world,” says Peng. “Beyond simply memorizing what’s in an image for training robots to perform tasks, we wanted to leverage computer vision and captioning models in conjunction with language. By producing text captions from what a robot sees, we show that language models can essentially build important world knowledge for a robot.” The challenge for LGA is that some behaviors can’t be explained in language, making certain tasks underspecified. To expand how they represent features in an environment, Peng and her colleagues are considering incorporating multimodal visualization interfaces into their work. In the meantime, LGA provides a way for robots to gain a better feel for their surroundings when giving humans a helping hand.

An “exciting frontier” in AI

“Library learning represents one of the most exciting frontiers in artificial intelligence, offering a path towards discovering and reasoning over compositional abstractions,” says assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Robert Hawkins, who was not involved with the papers. Hawkins notes that previous techniques exploring this subject have been “too computationally expensive to use at scale” and have an issue with the lambdas, or keywords used to describe new functions in many languages, that they generate. “They tend to produce opaque 'lambda salads,' big piles of hard-to-interpret functions. These recent papers demonstrate a compelling way forward by placing large language models in an interactive loop with symbolic search, compression, and planning algorithms. This work enables the rapid acquisition of more interpretable and adaptive libraries for the task at hand.” By building libraries of high-quality code abstractions using natural language, the three neurosymbolic methods make it easier for language models to tackle more elaborate problems and environments in the future. This deeper understanding of the precise keywords within a prompt presents a path forward in developing more human-like AI models. MIT CSAIL members are senior authors for each paper: Joshua Tenenbaum, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences, for both LILO and Ada; Julie Shah, head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, for LGA; and Jacob Andreas, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, for all three. The additional MIT authors are all PhD students: Maddy Bowers and Theo X. Olausson for LILO, Jiayuan Mao and Pratyusha Sharma for Ada, and Belinda Z. Li for LGA. Muxin Liu of Harvey Mudd College was a coauthor on LILO; Zachary Siegel of Princeton University, Jaihai Feng of the University of California at Berkeley, and Noa Korneev of Microsoft were coauthors on Ada; and Ilia Sucholutsky, Theodore R. Sumers, and Thomas L. Griffiths of Princeton were coauthors on LGA. LILO and Ada were supported, in part, by MIT Quest for Intelligence, the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, Intel, U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the U.S. Office of Naval Research, with the latter project also receiving funding from the Center for Brains, Minds and Machines. LGA received funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, Open Philanthropy, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

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175 Best Synthesis Essay Topics and Ideas for Students
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200 Trendy Synthesis Essay Topics
Global warming Synthesis Essay Topics. The impact of global warming on polar ice caps and sea level rise. The role of renewable energy sources in mitigating global warming. The effects of deforestation on the global climate. The impact of global warming on biodiversity and species extinction.
160+ Interesting Synthesis Essay Topics and Prompts
Good Synthesis Essay Topics. A synthesis essay involves students gathering information from various sources to create a distinct viewpoint on a specific topic in academic writing. A strong synthesis essay topic is relevant to your course, embraces diverse sources, and encourages critical analysis. Here are some common synthesis essay topics:
Synthesis Essay Topics for All Students
Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics. Explaining the theory of evolution by natural selection. The impact of globalization on cultural diversity. Understanding the principles of democracy in government. The benefits of regular exercise for overall health and well-being. The causes and consequences of climate change.
435 Synthesis Essay Topics & Ideas to Choose From
Synthesis essay topics on this concept explore how people strive for freedom, success, and personal fulfillment despite socio-economic and racial inequalities. The American Dream in literature: A reflection of societal values. Race and the American Dream: An in-depth analysis. The American Dream and income inequality.
100 Synthesis Essay Topics for Your Inspiration
The list below has 100 different topics that could serve as a basis for your synthesis essay. They are further broken into ten big categories — in accordance with our survey, most students prefer to write about them, so this might make your choice easier. Read these options, copy the ones you like, and consider basing your paper on them.
449 Good Synthesis Essay Topics: Ideas & Simple Guide
An author of a synthesis essay topic critically analyses several sources and proposes an original perspective using the apparent or implied relationships, which exist in the evaluated sources. Basically, the process of writing an essay involves three primary stages: summary, analysis, and synthesis.
40+ Trending Synthesis Essay Topics for 2024
A synthesis essay is a piece of academic writing in which an essay writer synthesizes the information in the existing sources and creates new knowledge. However, for a good synthesis essay, you need a great essay topic. Some students think that finding a good topic takes a lot of time and effort. Though, if you have an excellent list of essay ...
How to Write a Synthesis Essay: The Ultimate Handbook
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.
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.
120 Synthesis Essay Topics
It is important to select a topic that aligns with your interests and knowledge, has enough available sources, allows for the synthesis of multiple perspectives, and is relevant and significant. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your synthesis essay is well-researched, well-argued, and impactful. Synthesis Health Essay Topics:
40 Synthesis Essay Topics to Get You Started
So in this post, we'll provide 40 synthesis essay topics that'll help you learn the secrets of crafting a top-notch essay that will impress your audience and leave them wanting more. ... The role of the government in promoting renewable energy sources; Good synthesis essay topics . The use of drones for delivery services: a balance between ...
100 Synthesis Essay Topics for Well-Reasoned Arguments
Synthesis Topics to Write About Politics, Law, and Society. Politics is a hotbed of controversial issues, so there will be plenty of challenging matters to tackle in these explanatory synthesis essay topics. The court-martial of General Sinclair. The relation of poverty and exposure to crime in adolescent men.
How to Write a Synthesis Essay
As a student, you'll probably have to write a synthesis essay at some point. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to write one effectively. Step 1. Define Your Idea or Argument. If you haven't done so already, decide on a topic to write about. Read up about it using a variety of credible sources and make detailed notes while you research.
94 Fresh Ideas for Synthesis Essay Topics Ideas With Sources Links
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY Topic. Synthesis essays are to be written with a meticulous approach. You should employ a considerable amount of sources. You are expected to pass judgment as to how important the topic is and give your answer to the question stated by revealing adequate familiarity with the relevant sources. When finding the similarities ...
Synthesizing Sources
In a synthesis matrix, each column represents one source, and each row represents a common theme or idea among the sources. In the relevant rows, fill in a short summary of how the source treats each theme or topic. This helps you to clearly see the commonalities or points of divergence among your sources.
How to Write a Synthesis Essay: Examples, Topics, & Outline
Find several central ideas in the chart. Choose the ones that are repeated the most often and the ones that you feel need to be in your essay. Combine them, and you have a thesis statement with all the key points. Make a draft of the thesis statement. Try to formulate the main idea you want to present in your essay.
How to Write a Perfect Synthesis Essay for the AP Language Exam
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 ...
How to Write a Synthesis Essay
Restate the thesis statement. Remind the readers what the main point of your synthesis essay was. It is always a good idea to help them remember it. Mention the evidence. You used various sources to support your thesis statement in a synthesis essay. And a conclusion is the perfect time and place to remind of them.
Synthesis Essay Materials
The two synthesis essay questions below are examples of the question type that has been one of the three free-response questions on the AP English Language and Composition Exam as of the May 2007 exam. The synthesis question asks students to synthesize information from a variety of sources to inform their own discussion of a topic. Students are given a 15-minute reading period to accommodate ...
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 ...
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 ...
How To Write Synthesis In Research: Example Steps
Step 1 Organize your sources. Step 2 Outline your structure. Step 3 Write paragraphs with topic sentences. Step 4 Revise, edit and proofread. When you write a literature review or essay, you have to go beyond just summarizing the articles you've read - you need to synthesize the literature to show how it all fits together (and how your own ...
Natural language boosts LLM performance in coding, planning, and
In three papers to be presented at the International Conference on Learning Representations this month, the group shows how our everyday words are a rich source of context for language models, helping them build better overarching representations for code synthesis, AI planning, and robotic navigation and manipulation.

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Synthesis Essay Topics: 435 Good Ideas for Students to Consider

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