what is a synthesis argument essay

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?

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Related Articles

Synthesis Essays: A Step-by-Step How-To Guide

A synthesis essay is generally a short essay which brings two or more sources (or perspectives) into conversation with each other.

The word “synthesis” confuses every student a little bit. Fortunately, this step-by-step how-to guide will see you through to success!

Here’s a step-by-step how-to guide, with examples, that will help you write yours.

Before drafting your essay:

After reading the sources and before writing your essay, ask yourself these questions:

• What is the debate or issue that concerns all of the writers? In other words, what is the question they are trying to answer?
• On what points do they agree?
• On what points do they disagree?
• If they were having a verbal discussion, how would writer number one respond to the arguments of writer number two?

In a way, writing a synthesis essay is similar to composing a summary. But a synthesis essay requires you to read more than one source and to identify the way the writers’ ideas and points of view are related.

Sometimes several sources will reach the same conclusion even though each source approaches the subject from a different point of view.

Other times, sources will discuss the same aspects of the problem/issue/debate but will reach different conclusions.

And sometimes, sources will simply repeat ideas you have read in other sources; however, this is unlikely in a high school or AP situation.

To better organize your thoughts about what you’ve read, do this:

• Identify each writer’s thesis/claim/main idea
• List the writers supporting ideas (think topic sentences or substantiating ideas)
• List the types of support used by the writers that seem important. For example, if the writer uses a lot of statistics to support a claim, note this. If a writer uses historical facts, note this.

There’s one more thing to do before writing: You need to articulate for yourself the relationships and connections among these ideas.

Sometimes the relationships are easy to find. For example, after reading several articles about censorship in newspapers, you may notice that most of the writers refer to or in some way use the First Amendment to help support their arguments and help persuade readers. In this case, you would want to describe the different ways the writers use the First Amendment in their arguments. To do this, ask yourself, “How does this writer exploit the value of the First Amendment/use the First Amendment to help persuade or manipulate the readers into thinking that she is right?

Sometimes articulating the relationships between ideas is not as easy. If you have trouble articulating clear relationships among the shared ideas you have noted, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the ideas of one writer support the ideas of another? If so, how?
• Do the writers who reach the same conclusion use the same ideas in their writing? If not, is there a different persuasive value to the ideas used by one writer than by the other?
• Do the writers who disagree discuss similar points or did they approach the subject from a completely different angle and therefore use different points and different kinds of evidence to support their arguments?
• Review your list of ideas. Are any of the ideas you have listed actually the same idea, just written in different words?

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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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How to Write a Synthesis Essay

Last Updated: April 7, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,124,021 times.

Writing a synthesis essay requires the ability to digest information and present it in an organized fashion. While this skill is developed in high school and college classes, it translates to the business and advertising world as well. Scroll down to Step 1 to begin learning how to write a synthesis essay.

Examining Your Topic

• Argument synthesis: This type of essay has a strong thesis statement that presents the writer's point of view. It organizes relevant information gathered from research in a logical manner to support the thesis' point of view. Business white papers known as position papers often take this form. This is the type of synthesis essay that students will write during the AP test.
• Review: Often written as a preliminary essay to an argument synthesis, a review essay is a discussion of what has been written previously on a topic, with a critical analysis of the sources covered. Its unstated thesis is usually that more research needs to be done in that area or that the topic problem has not been adequately addressed. This type of paper is common in social science classes and in medicine.
• Explanatory/background synthesis: This type of essay helps readers understand a topic by categorizing facts and presenting them to further the reader's understanding. It does not advocate a particular point of view, and if it has a thesis statement, the thesis is a weak one. Some business white papers take this form, although they are more likely to have a point of view, if understated.

• Example of a broad topic narrowed down into a reasonable synthesis essay topic: Instead of the broad topic of Social Media, you could discuss your view on the effects texting has had on the English language.
• If you've been assigned a topic as part of a class, make sure you read the prompt carefully and fully understand it.

• Keep in mind that it's better to do three sources well than to do five sources incompletely.
• Annotate each source by writing notes in the margins. This allows you to keep track of your train of thought, developing ideas, etc.

• Example: Texting has had a positive impact on the English language as it has helped the millennial generation create their own form of the language.

• If you wish to take on a claim by an opponent of your idea, and to poke holes in it, you should also find some ideas or quotes that go against your thesis statement, and plan ways to disprove them. This is called a concession, refutation, or rebuttal, which can strengthen your argument if you do it well.
• Example : For the thesis statement listed above, excellent sources would include quotes from linguists discussing the new words that have developed through 'text-speak', statistics that show the English language has evolved with almost every generation, and facts that show students still have the ability to write with the use of grammar and spelling (which your opponents would bring up as the main reason texting has had a negative effect on the English language).

Outlining Your Essay

• The introductory paragraph: 1. An introductory sentence that acts as a hook, capturing the reader's interest. 2. Identification of the issue you will be discussing. 3. Your thesis statement.
• The body paragraphs: 1. Topic sentence that gives one reason to support your thesis. 2. Your explanation and opinion of the topic sentence. 3. Support from your sources that backs up the claim you just made. 4. Explanation of the significance of the source(s).
• The conclusion paragraph: 1. State further significance of your topic from the evidence and reasons you discussed in the essay. 2. A profound thought or thoughtful ending for your paper.

• Example/illustration. This may be a detailed recount, summary, or direct quote from your source material that provides major support for your point of view. You may use more than one example or illustration, if your paper calls for it. You should not, however, make your paper a series of examples at the expense of supporting your thesis.
• Straw man. With this technique, you present an argument opposed to the argument stated in your thesis, then show the weaknesses and flaws of the counter-argument. This format shows your awareness of the opposition and your readiness to answer it. You present the counter-argument right after your thesis, followed by the evidence to refute it, and end with a positive argument that supports your thesis. [5] X Research source
• Concession. Essays with concessions are structured similar to those using the straw man technique, but they acknowledge the validity of the counter-argument while showing that the original argument is stronger. This structure is good for presenting papers to readers who hold the opposing viewpoint.
• Comparison and contrast. This structure compares similarities and contrasts differences between two subjects or sources to show the facets of both. Writing an essay with this structure requires a careful reading of your source material to find both subtle and major points of similarity and difference. This kind of essay can present its arguments source-by-source or by points of similarity or difference.

• Summary. This structure presents summaries of each of your relevant sources, making a progressively stronger argument for your thesis. It provides specific evidence to support your point of view, but usually omits presenting your own opinions. It's most commonly used for background and review essays.
• List of reasons. This is a series of sub-points that flow from the main point of your paper as stated in its thesis. Each reason is supported with evidence. As with the summary method, reasons should become progressively more important, with the most important reason last.

Writing Your Essay

• Your essay should have an introductory paragraph that includes your thesis , a body to present evidence that supports your thesis, and a conclusion that summarizes your point of view.

• Lengthy quotes of three lines or more should generally be set off as block quotes to better call attention to them. [7] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

Finalizing Your Essay

• Ask someone else to proofread your paper. The saying “two heads are better than one” still holds true. Ask a friend or colleague what would they add or remove from the paper. Most importantly, does your argument make sense, and is it clearly supported by your sources?

• Read the paper aloud to guarantee that you don't accidentally add in or take out words when reading in your head.
• If you can, get a friend or classmate to proofread your essay as well.

• Example of citing in an AP synthesis essay: McPherson claims “texting has changed the English language in a positive way--it has given a new generation their own unique way to communicate” (Source E).
• For college essays, you'll most likely use MLA format. Whichever format you use, be consistent in its use. You may also be asked to use APA or Chicago style.

• Example title: : English and the iPhone: Exploring the Benefits of 'Text-Speak'

Outline Template

Community Q&A

• Just as your title should fit your essay instead of writing your essay to fit the title, your thesis, once chosen, should direct your subsequent research instead of subsequent research altering your thesis � unless you find you've adopted an unsupportable thesis. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 8

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://success.uark.edu/get-help/student-resources/synthesis-paper.php
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/mapping-a-synthesis-essay
• ↑ https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/learning-commons/documents/writing/synthesis/planning-synthesis-essay.pdf
• ↑ https://writingcenterofprinceton.com/synthesis-essays-a-step-by-step-how-to-guide/
• ↑ https://owl.excelsior.edu/argument-and-critical-thinking/logical-fallacies/logical-fallacies-straw-man/
• ↑ https://writingcommons.org/section/rhetoric/rhetorical-stance/point-of-view/third-person-point-of-view/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_quotations.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html
• ↑ https://www.edhs.org/ourpages/auto/2010/5/17/41759867/Synthesis%20Essay%20Introduction.pdf
• ↑ https://writing.umn.edu/sws/assets/pdf/quicktips/titles.pdf

About This Article

To write a synthesis essay, start by coming up with a thesis statement that you can support using all of the sources you've read for your essay. For example, your thesis statement could be "Texting has had a positive impact on the English language." Once you've got your thesis, go through your sources to find specific quotes, facts, and statistics that back up your claim. Structure your essay so it has an introduction that includes your thesis statement, a body that includes your arguments and evidence, and a conclusion that wraps everything up. For more tips on structuring your synthesis essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Capstone Form and Style

Evidence-based arguments: synthesis, paraphrasing and synthesis.

Synthesis is important in scholarly writing as it is the combination of ideas on a given topic or subject area. Synthesis is different from summary. Summary consists of a brief description of one idea, piece of text, etc. Synthesis involves combining ideas together.

Summary: Overview of important general information in your own words and sentence structure. Paraphrase: Articulation of a specific passage or idea in your own words and sentence structure. Synthesis: New interpretation of summarized or paraphrased details in your own words and sentence structure.

In the capstone, writers should aim for synthesis in all areas of the document, especially the literature review. Synthesis combines paraphrased information, where the writer presents information from multiple sources. Synthesis demonstrates scholarship; it demonstrates an understanding of the literature and information, as well as the writer’s ability to connect ideas and develop an argument.

Example Paraphrase

From allan and zed (2012, p. 195).

Supervision, one practice in transactional leadership theory, is especially effective for small business owners. Improved retention not only contributes to an efficient workplace, but it promotes local commercial stability and cultural unity. Other management styles informed by transactional theory can also benefit communities.

Sample Paraphrase

Allan and Zed (2012) noted that supervision and other transactional leadership strategies provide advantages for small business owners and their surrounding communities.

This paraphrase DOES:

• include the main idea,
• summarize the key information using fewer words than the original text, and
• include a citation to credit the source.

Synthesis Language

Synthesis is achieved by comparing and contrasting paraphrased information on a given topic. Discussions of the literature should be focused not on study-by-study summaries (see the Creating a Literature Review Outline SMRTguide). Writers should begin by using comparison language (indicated in bold and highlighted text in the examples below) to combine ideas on a given topic:

• Keller (2012) found that X occurred. Likewise, Daal (2013) found that X occurred but also noted that the effects of X differed from those suggested by Keller (2012).
• Schwester (2013) reported results consistent with findings in Hill’s (2011) and Yao’s (2012) studies.
• Although Mehmad (2012) suggested X, O’Donnell (2013) recommended a different approach.

Again, the focus of synthesis is to combine ideas on a given topic and for the writer to use that to review the existing literature or support an overall argument (i.e., in the problem statement, rationale and justification for the method, etc.).

For more information and examples on synthesis, paragraph structure, and the MEAL Plan strategy for writing review additional Form and Style resources:

• SMRTguide on Reverse Outlining and the MEAL Plan
• SMRTguide on Prioritizing Parenthetical Citations
• Reading to Write
• Previous Page: Quoting
• Next Page: MEAL Plan
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Synthesis Essay | Definition, Structure & Examples

Laura Lohman has taught university arts and humanities courses for over 10 years. She has a PhD in the history of music (University of Pennsylvania), MS in Human Resources and Organization Development (the University of Louisville), and BM in music performance (Indiana University). She holds senior human resources, affirmative action, and project management certifications.

• Instructor Frances Smith

What are some examples of synthesis writing?

Examples of synthesis writing are:

• An explanatory synthesis essay, in which the writer presents factual information to help the reader understand a subject.
• In an expository synthesis essay, the writer expounds on the main idea clearly and concisely, often in an exam or timed writing setting.
• An argumentative synthesis essay is usually a longer essay that requires significant research and pre-writing.

What is the main point of a synthesis essay?

The main point of a synthesis essay is the thesis statement , or thesis. This is the writer's main assertion or claim. It is stated in the introduction of the essay.

Is a synthesis essay argumentative?

By definition, in an argumentative synthesis essay , a writer argues or persuades a reader of a main claim or thesis statement by using information gained through research. A synthesis essay can be argumentative, but not all of them are argumentative.

How to write a good introduction for a synthesis essay?

A good introduction for a synthesis essay often begins with a statement with broad background information about the topic. Then it narrows to articulate the writer's main point about the topic or thesis.

How to you write a synthesis essay?

Key steps in writing an argumentative synthesis essay are:

• understanding the prompt or instructions
• thinking about the topic
• prewriting such as brainstorming
• drafting a thesis statement
• reading and synthesizing sources
• refining the thesis statement
• drafting the essay
• revising the essay

When writing a timed expository essay, key steps are understanding the prompt or instructions, rewriting (such as brainstorming), composing a brief outline, and writing the essay while managing time.

Table of Contents

What is a synthesis essay, synthesis essay structure, how to write a synthesis essay, synthesis essay example, lesson summary.

A synthesis essay combines information from multiple sources to support the writer's target assertion about the topic of the essay. Synthesis essays can vary in length and coverage. However, the steps in writing a synthesis essay are similar regardless of the essay's subject or its length.

Types of Synthesis Essays

There are several different types of synthesis essays. Common types of synthesis papers include explanatory synthesis essays, expository synthesis essays, and argumentative synthesis essays.

• In an explanatory synthesis essay , the writer elaborates on a subject using comprehensive, factual, and objective information. The purpose of the explanatory essay is to help the reader gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject. For this reason, an explanatory synthesis essay does not include personal opinions or offer an argument.
• An expository synthesis essay is commonly written in an exam setting. In an expository synthesis essay , the writer expounds on the main idea clearly and concisely. Writers can do this by using comparison, contrast, examples, and analyzing cause and effect relationships as appropriate to the topic or prompt . This type of essay is often written in 5 paragraphs: one introductory paragraph , three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph.
• An argumentative synthesis essay is usually a longer essay that requires significant research and pre-writing. The writer must investigate a topic through research by gathering and evaluating evidence from various sources before writing. The writer then uses this evidence carefully to support the main claim of the essay.

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• 0:00 What Is a Synthesis Essay?
• 0:28 Synthesizing Sources
• 3:05 Composing a Final Thesis
• 3:40 Formatting the Essay
• 4:21 Talking With the Texts
• 6:00 Lesson Summary

Synthesis essays follow a predictable structure: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

In the introduction , the writer gives an overview of the topic and presents the thesis or proposed claim of the essay. The introduction may briefly describe the types of sources that will be used to support the thesis, which is in the body of the essay. Brief background information on the topic may also be included. In a concise expository essay , this is often accomplished in one paragraph that begins with broad background information and then narrows to articulate the writer's main point about the topic.

In the body , the writer synthesizes information from various sources to support the thesis statement. The body uses well-organized paragraphs that have clear topic sentences. In-text citations in the paragraphs show the reader where the essay writer has incorporated ideas and information from sources.

In the conclusion , the writer restates the thesis or readdresses the thesis from a new perspective after addressing the evidence offered in the body. The conclusion may summarize the argument offered in the body and state why it is important.

Pre-writing

Before beginning, a writer must understand the prompt or instructions for writing a synthesis essay. The writer takes some time to think about the selected topic and review how the instructions will impact the essay.

With prewriting , such as brainstorming ideas about the topic, a writer can quickly generate many possible approaches for a thesis statement in response to the prompt. The thesis or thesis statement is one sentence that states the writer's main claim or assertion about the topic.

Next, the writer will draft a tentative thesis statement to help focus their efforts to find relevant sources for the essay.

Synthesizing Sources

It is essential to choose sources that contain information relevant to the topic of the essay. Experienced writers recognize that not all the sources that address the topic will contain information supporting the draft thesis statement. Close reading will help determine which sources support the thesis. It involves reading, highlighting, taking notes on, and annotating passages from sources. These steps help a writer identify the main points or claims each author is making while reading.

Next, by evaluating sources , the writer clarifies which sources best support the thesis of the essay. Some sources may support the thesis, while others may contradict the same. Evaluating all these sources can clarify whether or not the writer's draft thesis statement was valid.

When writing paragraphs in the body of the essay, writers may use a three-step technique to incorporate ideas from sources. First, the writer introduces the source and its assertion. Second, the writer explains how the source's assertion supports the thesis statement of the essay. Third, the writer interprets the source for the reader. This three-step process is sometimes called ''talking with the texts.''

Another effective approach is to combine or synthesize information from more than one source to support each main point. For example, when researching an essay about a famous filmmaker, a writer might notice that several sources discuss the filmmaker's education and influences. By combining information from these sources, the writer can assert which formative influences were important for shaping the filmmakers' later work. By synthesizing information from other sources that discuss the filmmaker's well-known films, the writer can convincingly assert which aspects of these films made them so successful. By synthesizing information from other sources that discuss the filmmaker's legacy, the writer can show the filmmaker's importance in the larger film industry.

Composing a Thesis

A thesis , or thesis statement, is one sentence that states the writer's main claim or assertion about the topic. After close reading and evaluating sources, a writer may find that their original, draft thesis statement is well supported by sources. Other times, a writer may realize that few sources support the draft thesis. When this happens, the writer should revise the thesis statement to make an assertion that is supported by sources.

Formatting the Synthesis Essay

Careful formatting of information will help create an effective essay. Several effective approaches can be used in longer argumentative essays. One approach is to arrange the evidence in a way that the most persuasive evidence comes later in the body. This will keep the most convincing evidence in the reader's mind after the essay. Another common approach is to define a problem early in the essay and then address one or more possible solutions in the body.

In an argumentative essay, the format is also important while addressing multiple points of view on the topic. Portions of one or more paragraphs may discuss a perspective that differs from the writer's perspective or thesis. Rather than simply contrasting two opposing views, an effective essay will explain why one view is less credible than another.

Other approaches may be effective in an explanatory or expository essay. In an explanatory essay, one approach is to craft the body in sections, where each section discusses one item or aspect of the topic. One approach in expository essays is to use comparison and contrast to highlight relationships between concepts. Another approach is to summarize individual sources and articulate how they are similar and different.

The way to format citations for the sources used in the essay will depend on the instructions. In some subjects such as English, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is used to format the Works Cited section and in-text citations for sources used. In other subjects, the American Psychological Association (APA) style is used to format the list of References and in-text citations for sources used. These style guides also include directions for formatting papers' margins, line spacing, titles, section headings, and page numbers.

Imagine an essay that addresses the question - Does social media make people less social? This type of question requires the writer to take a position and support it with evidence. If a writer already has some knowledge of the topic, they can address it without research, as in an expository essay written during an exam or a timed writing exercise. For example, the writer could support their position by drawing on personal experience and observation of others using social media.

This question could also be addressed in an argumentative essay. This type of essay would be written by gathering sources that provide data about how social media impacts people's behavior. In this case, the writer would locate relevant information in several published sources to support a thesis. That thesis could be "Social media makes people less social by decreasing their involvement in in-person social activities that build sound relationships." Alternatively, the writer might assert in the thesis that "Despite common criticisms, social media makes people more social by giving them more ways to socialize." Sources of information to support the thesis might be newspapers, journals, books, and quality websites. The body of the essay would discuss evidence supporting the writer's thesis or main claim about how social media relates to people's social behavior.

An explanatory essay would not take a position on social media usage or its effects. Instead, it might answer a question like What is social media? or What can people do with social media? This essay would explain social media so a reader who is not familiar with social media can understand this topic.

A synthesis essay combines information from multiple sources to support the writer's main assertion about the topic of the essay. In an explanatory synthesis essay , the writer elaborates on a subject using factual information to help the reader understand the subject. In an expository synthesis essay , the writer expounds on the main idea clearly and concisely, often in an exam or timed writing setting. An argumentative synthesis essay is usually a longer essay that requires significant research and pre-writing. The writer must investigate a topic through research by gathering and evaluating evidence from various sources before writing.

Synthesis essays include an introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction , the writer gives an overview of the topic and presents the thesis or main claim of the essay. In the body, one effective approach is to combine or synthesize information from more than one source to support each main point. When writing the body, writers may use a three-step technique to incorporate ideas from sources. These steps are introducing the source and its assertion, explaining how the source's assertion supports the writer's thesis statement, and interpreting it for the reader. This three-step process is sometimes called ''talking with the texts.'' In the conclusion , the writer restates or readdresses the thesis from a new perspective.

Video Transcript

What is a synthesis essay.

A synthesis essay is a written work that takes a unique viewpoint about a central idea, theme, or topic, and backs it up with a combination of multiple sources. The process has four major components:

• Synthesizing sources
• Composing a thesis or claim
• Formatting the essay
• Talking with the texts

Let's examine each of these four components in further detail.

Before actually writing a synthesis essay, one must follow the pre-writing steps:

• Understanding the prompt
• Drafting a tentative thesis
• Choosing sources
• Close reading
• Evaluating sources

Understanding the prompt means thinking about the selected topic, then following the instructions accordingly to support your ideas. An example prompt might be: 'Argue in favor of a particular passion that will help manage the challenges of high school.'

Next, you'll begin drafting a tentative thesis , which is a first draft of your claim for the prompt. This statement is the first idea you have regarding the topic, to jumpstart your research. After you choose resources, this thesis may be changed or adjusted to reflect your sources' ideas. Following the example prompt, you might choose chocolate as your passion, and state your claim as: 'Chocolate has a tranquilizing effect; it calms me and helps me to focus on homework, and perform better on exams.'

After you've drafted your thesis, you'll begin the process of choosing sources . This is the preliminary research you do to find sources that you believe will support the viewpoint written in the tentative thesis. You may find six or seven sources, but only a few of them will help your claim. During your research, you discover six sources in various formats (essays, cartoon, article, graphic) that discuss chocolate as a way to relieve stress.

Once you have gathered these sources, close reading (which includes the process of annotating, highlighting, or note taking), will help you summarize their main ideas, and connect them to your claim.

Finally, evaluating sources means that you will use the main ideas from the close reading to justify using a source for your claim. The sources you decide on will eventually help construct your own (new) idea for the prompt.

Let's look back to our example about chocolate. Of the six sources you gathered, you determine that Sources 2, 4, and 5 agree with your idea that eating chocolate makes it easier for you to function in high school:

Source 2: Cartoon shows a dreamy-eyed student with disheveled hair, sitting in front of a pile of homework, with chocolate smeared on his hands and face. The caption reads 'A total chocolate relaxation.'

Source 4: Discusses the effect of chocolate on calming the brain and relaxing the heart.

Source 5: Graphic story illustrates an argument between chocolate lovers and chocolate haters who are high school students.

These sources might also offer objections against your claim as well. Why is this important? Since a synthesis is an argument, answering the objections gives the reader a fair and unbiased view of your position, making it more credible.

Composing a Final Thesis

After the pre-writing stages are completed, you are ready to write a final thesis, by aligning the information, main ideas, and interpretations of your sources with the first thesis you drafted during the pre-writing process. The thesis contains a one-sentence claim that asserts what, how, and why you will write about the topic.

Thus, you write your final thesis as: 'Chocolate and high school may seem like a strange combination, but eating it has benefits for those students who are overworked and overwhelmed.'

You're satisfied you can argue your idea, so you are ready to write the essay.

Formatting the Essay

A synthesis essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, each of these parts is written in a distinct way:

The introduction provides an overview of the topic, thesis, and sources, with some background information for the texts to be summarized.

The body includes a topic sentence, information from more than one source, with in-text citations; it compares and contrasts sources in an objective (two-sided) interpretation, and informs the reader why the source argues a thesis.

The conclusion connects the ideas from the sources to your thesis, and describes how each supports your viewpoint. The conclusion also rewords your claim so it is clear you are offering a different perspective on the topic.

Talking with the Texts

Each teacher might have a different way of explaining how a synthesis essay is constructed. Some teachers use the phrase 'talking with the text' to describe what a writer does when formatting this essay.

Step-by-step, the writer writes in the following way:

This 'back-and-forth' between the source, the writer, and interpretation is the unique design of a synthesis essay as well as the objective for synthesis essay writing.

See this process in action with this passage:

'A Detroit News article introduces us to seventeen-year old John Prueter, who last year began experiencing panic attacks every day during his trigonometry class.' Notice how we start by introducing our source, so it is clear where the information is coming from.

'Prueter had been under a lot of stress, he said, because he was struggling with the course, and was afraid he was going to receive a failing grade. But then one day he had missed lunch, and started to get hungry during his trig class. He found a candy bar in his backpack, and after eating it, marveled at the fact that his stress levels seemed to drop. He suddenly felt more relaxed and able to focus on what the teacher was saying.'

Here we have evidence from that news article that supports our argument that chocolate helps overwhelmed high school students. Prueter's experience demonstrates that one of the benefits of chocolate, aside from its great taste, is that it has the magical effect of reducing stress levels and improving concentration.

Notice that we end with a concluding sentence that ensures evidence will be interpreted the way we want it to be interpreted.

Writing a synthesis essay has four components: synthesizing sources, composing a thesis or claim, formatting the essay and talking with the texts. The first component involves thinking about the prompt, and choosing and evaluating sources. The second component has to do with asserting a particular claim about the prompt, and backing it up with selected sources that support it. The third component is constructing the essay in a distinct format, using an introduction, body and conclusion. And through talking with the texts, a successful synthesis essay will combine several different sources and viewpoints to create a writer's own unique perspective.

The Four Components of Writing a Synthesis Essay

Learning Outcome

After you've finished this lesson, you should be able to list and describe the components of writing a synthesis essay.

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27 How do I Write a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay is a type of essay that gathers information from a variety of sources to form a new idea, question, or argumentative thesis. Writers composing a synthesis essay will discuss ideas, data, and evidence from a series of sources to either explain or argue something original.

Explanatory vs. Argumentative Synthesis Essays: How Are They Different?

Though the formatting is largely the same, there are two main types of synthesis essays: explanatory and argumentative.

• 1.   Explanatory : The purpose of an explanatory synthesis essay is to use different sources to explain a particular point of view. These synthesis papers objectively examine the similarities and differences between ideas but don’t necessarily choose a side or attempt to sway the reader in any direction.
• 2.   Argumentative : An argumentative synthesis essay follows the same structure as a typical argumentative essay. The thesis of an argumentative essay will argue one specific point.

Synthesis Essay Structure

Synthesis essays typically adhere to the five-paragraph essay structure, but there are slight nuances to structuring this type of essay. Here is how a synthesis essay is structured.

•   Introduction : The foundational ideas of your essay are expressed in the introductory paragraph. You will address the general landscape of ideas around your topic, introducing some of your sources. You will also introduce the argument to be made through a thesis statement, which succinctly states your primary argument in a sentence or two. The thesis statement typically comes at the very end of your introductory paragraph.
•   Body : The body of your synthesis essay is usually about three paragraphs long. This typically includes two paragraphs synthesizing your sources in a way that supports your argument, and one paragraph that acknowledges opposing arguments.
• Conclusion : The conclusion of your synthesis essay reiterates the argument that you’ve made throughout your essay. It may emphasize how each of the points you made and the sources you’ve cited substantiate your point.

How to Write a Synthesis Essay

A great synthesis essay walks readers through a series of ideas and sources to prove or explain a larger point.

Follow this step-by-step guide for writing your essay:

• Choose a topic you’re curious about . Brainstorm a few ideas for your synthesis essay topic, prioritizing the subjects you feel passionate about.
• Do your research . Once you’ve decided on a topic, use the internet, library, and other sources to perform extensive research. You can turn to academic primary sources to find quotes from scholars and experts, or look up statistics or scientific studies relevant to your topic. This research will help you develop a point of view that is backed up by concrete information. Use credible sources that are unbiased.
• Outline your point . Your entire essay should focus on either explaining a certain perspective or making an argument. Outline how each of your sources relates to your theme and support your idea.
• Write your introduction . An introduction is the first paragraph of a paper. Its main purpose is to present the general premise of the paper, provide any necessary background information, and hopefully, capture the reader’s attention. The introductory paragraph to your synthesis essay should be where you include a strong thesis statement. This is where you will state the point of view that you’re exploring or the argument you’re making.
• Include your body paragraphs . Synthesis essays will typically contain three body paragraphs. A good body paragraph contains three main sections: a topic sentence (or key sentence), relevant supporting  sentences, and a closing (or transition)
• sentence. This structure keeps your paragraph focused on the main idea, providing clear, concise information. Each body paragraph should discuss different elements and supporting arguments of your thesis, along with evidence drawn from each source. Explain the common theme between your resources, as well as how they are relevant to your text. Include counterarguments as well as how your source material can discredit those claims and support your own idea.
• Wrap it up with a strong conclusion . A conclusion is a final piece of writing in a research paper, essay, or article that summarizes the entire work. The concluding paragraph of your synthesis essay will restate your thesis, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the work, and offer your final impression of the central idea.
• Proofread . Always proofread your writing a few times before submitting or presenting it. A few missed words or grammatical errors can sometimes change or discredit the entire crux of an argument or opinion. Make sure that your grammar, syntax, and flow are as accurate and clear as possible. This will help you come across as a credible source.

College Reading & Writing: A Handbook for ENGL- 090/095 Students Copyright © by Yvonne Kane; Krista O'Brien; and Angela Wood. All Rights Reserved.

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• How to Guides

Synthesis essays are a common type of academic writing that asks students to put together information from different sources into a coherent argument or point of view about a certain topic. In a synthesis essay, students must analyze and combine information from different sources, such as articles, books, and other academic materials, to come up with a new way of looking at a certain issue or idea.

The importance of synthesis essays lies in the fact that they help students learn how to think critically, analyze information, and communicate effectively. By putting together information from different sources, students can learn more about complicated topics and form their own opinions about them.

Synthesis essays are important in the classroom, but they are also useful in the real world , such as in business, politics, and other professional fields. In many fields, it is important to be able to combine information from different sources into a coherent argument. This skill can help people communicate better and make better decisions.

In the sections that follow, we’ll talk about the most important parts of a good synthesis essay, such as how to find and analyze information, make a convincing argument, and explain your ideas to your audience. By learning how to write synthesis essays well, students can learn important skills that will help them both in school and in the workplace.

What You'll Learn

Elements of a Synthesis Essay

A synthesis essay uses information from more than one source to make an argument or point of view about a certain topic. Here are the most important parts of a good synthesis essay:

1. The purpose of a synthesis essay: The goal of a synthesis essay is to analyze and combine information from different sources into a new way of looking at a certain issue or idea. The essay should have a clear, well-thought-out argument based on evidence and analysis.

2. Analysis and evaluation of sources: To write a good synthesis essay, it’s important to carefully read and think about each source that will be used. This means judging the credibility and reliability of each source and figuring out how each source fits into the argument as a whole.

3. Creation of a thesis statement: The main idea or point of an essay is the thesis statement. It should be clear, short, and detailed, and it should sum up the main point or argument of the essay .

4. Integration of sources into the essay: Each source’s information should be put into the essay in a way that supports the overall argument. This means picking and arranging the information from each source carefully and putting it together in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

5. Development of a logical and coherent argument: The essay should be easy to understand and well-organized, with each paragraph building on the one before it to make a logical and coherent argument. Each paragraph should focus on a different part of the argument and use evidence and analysis from the sources to back it up.

Preparing to Write a Synthesis Essay

Preparing to write a synthesis essay involves several key steps, including:

1. Reading and analyzing sources: The first step in preparing to write a synthesis essay is to carefully read and analyze each source that will be used in the essay. This involves critically evaluating the credibility and reliability of each source, and identifying key themes, ideas, and arguments that will be relevant to the essay.

2. Brainstorming and outlining: Once the sources have been analyzed, the next step is to brainstorm ideas and create an outline for the essay . This involves identifying key themes and arguments that will be addressed in the essay , and organizing them into a logical and coherent structure.

3. Identifying a thesis statement: The thesis statement is the main argument or focus of the essay. Once the key themes and arguments have been identified, it is important to develop a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main argument or perspective of the essay .

4. Developing a plan for integrating sources: The information from each source should be integrated into the essay in a way that supports the overall argument. This involves developing a plan for how each source will be used in the essay, and how the information from each source will be integrated into the overall argument.

By following these key steps, students can effectively prepare to write a successful synthesis essay that is grounded in evidence and analysis, and presents a unique perspective on a particular topic.

Writing a Synthesis Essay

Writing a successful synthesis essay requires careful planning and attention to detail. The following tips can help you to write an effective synthesis essay:

1. Introduction: Start with an attention-grabbing hook that provides context for the essay, and introduce the topic and purpose of the essay. Provide a clear and concise thesis statement that summarizes the main argument or focus of the essay.

2. Body paragraphs: The body of the essay should include several paragraphs that address different aspects of the topic, and integrate information from multiple sources to support your argument. Use specific examples and evidence to support your claims , and make sure that each paragraph focuses on a specific idea or theme.

3. Conclusion: Summarize the main points of the essay, restate the thesis statement, and provide a thoughtful reflection on what has been learned from the synthesis process. It should also include suggestions for further research or discussion.

4. Tone and style: Use a professional and objective tone when writing a synthesis essay. Avoid using overly emotional or biased language, and focus on presenting a well-supported argument that is grounded in evidence and analysis .

5. Grammar and mechanics: Pay careful attention to grammar, mechanics, and spelling when writing a synthesis essay. Use clear and concise language, and proofread your essay carefully to ensure that it is error-free.

Synthesis Essay Examples

To better understand how to write a synthesis essay, it can be helpful to examine examples of effective essays . Here are some key takeaways from successful synthesis essays:

1. Effective synthesis essays draw on a variety of sources to support a well-developed argument or perspective on a particular topic.

2. The best synthesis essays use a clear and logical structure to present information and ideas in a way that is easy to follow.

3. Successful synthesis essays use specific examples and evidence to support claims, and provide thoughtful analysis and evaluation of sources.

4. The most effective synthesis essays present a unique perspective on a particular topic, and offer insights or perspectives that are not readily available in other sources.

5. Finally, successful synthesis essays demonstrate strong writing skills, including a clear and concise writing style, good grammar and mechanics, and effective use of transitions and other writing devices.

By examining examples of effective synthesis essays, students can gain a deeper understanding of the key elements of successful synthesis writing, and develop their own skills and abilities in this important area of academic and professional writing.

Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis essays can cover a wide range of topics and subjects. Here are some examples of common synthesis essay topics:

1. Social issues and activism: This topic might include analysis and synthesis of information related to social justice, human rights, inequality, or activism.

2. Science and technology: This topic might include analysis and synthesis of information related to scientific research, technological advancements, or the impact of technology on society.

3. Politics and government : This topic might include analysis and synthesis of information related to government policies, political systems, or the impact of politics on society.

4. Education and learning: This topic might include analysis and synthesis of information related to educational practices, learning theories, or the role of education in society.

5. Culture and media : This topic might include analysis and synthesis of information related to popular culture, media messages, or the impact of media on society.

Synthesis Essay Outline

Creating an effective outline is an important step in the process of writing a synthesis essay. The following are some tips for creating an effective outline, as well as examples of synthesis essay outlines:

1. Basic outline structure: A simple outline for a synthesis essay should have an intro, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should have a hook, set the scene for the essay , and have a clear statement of the essay’s main point. The body of the essay should be made up of several paragraphs that cover different parts of the topic . The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and offer a thoughtful reflection on what has been learned.

2. Tips for creating an effective outline: When making an outline for a synthesis essay, it is important to focus on the main argument or point of view of the essay and to organize the information from each source in a way that supports the overall argument. Use subheadings and bullet points to organize information and ideas, and make sure that each paragraph focuses on a single idea or theme.

3. Examples of synthesis essay outlines:

I. Introduction

– Hook

– Context

– Thesis statement

II. Body Paragraphs

– Analysis of source 1

– Analysis of source 2

– Integration of sources into the essay

– Development of a logical and coherent argument

III. Conclusion

– Summary of main points

– Reflection on what has been learned

– Suggestions for further research or discussion

Another example:

– Analysis of source 3

– Reflection on what was learned

By following these tips and examples, students can create effective outlines for their synthesis essays, which will help them to organize their ideas and information, and to create a clear and well-supported argument or perspective on a particular topic .

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is a synthesis essay.

A synthesis essay is a type of academic writing that asks students to put together information from different sources into a coherent argument or point of view about a certain topic. The goal of a synthesis essay is to analyze and combine information from different sources into a new way of looking at a certain issue or idea.

2. What are the elements of a synthesis essay?

The parts of a synthesis essay are the essay’s purpose, the analysis and evaluation of sources, the creation of a thesis statement, the integration of sources into the essay, and the development of an argument that makes sense and flows well.

3. How do I choose a topic for a synthesis essay?

When choosing a topic for a synthesis essay, think about things that you are really interested in or know a lot about. Also, look for topics that are complicated and have many different sides. Social issues, science and technology, politics and the government, education and learning, culture and the media can all be used as topics.

4. How do I structure a synthesis essay?

The format of a synthesis essay should be clear and well-structured, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should have a hook, set the scene for the essay, and have a clear statement of the essay’s main point. The body of the essay should be made up of several paragraphs that cover different parts of the topic. The conclusion should summarize the main points of the essay and offer a thoughtful reflection on what has been learned.

5. What are some tips for writing a successful synthesis essay?

Some tips for writing a good synthesis essay include carefully reading and analyzing sources, coming up with a clear and concise thesis statement, putting sources into the essay in a way that supports the overall argument , and making an argument that makes sense and flows well. It’s also important to use clear, concise language, pay attention to grammar and mechanics, and carefully proofread the essay before sending it in.

In conclusion , students need to learn how to write synthesis essays if they want to do well in school and in their careers. Students can make a well-supported argument or point of view on a certain topic if they know the key parts of a good synthesis essay and follow the steps for preparing, structuring, and writing the essay . Students can use the skills and techniques they learn in writing synthesis essays to communicate effectively and make well-informed decisions in a wide range of situations. This is true whether they are writing about social issues and activism, science and technology, politics and government, education and learning, or culture and media.

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Demystifying the Synthesis Essay: A Complete Guide

• Dr. Huey Logan
• December 8, 2023
• Study Guides

Understanding the synthesis essay concept is essential for mastering the art of essay writing . In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel the intricacies of the synthesis essay , providing you with a step-by-step approach to crafting a compelling and well-structured piece of writing.

Here's What You'll Learn

At its core, a synthesis essay goes beyond mere summarization. It requires you to synthesize information from multiple sources to support your argument or thesis. Think of it as blending various ingredients to create a harmonious and impactful essay. Unlike an argumentative essay, where you rely primarily on your own opinions, a synthesis essay relies on credible sources to build a strong case.

To embark on the journey of writing a successful synthesis essay, it is crucial to select credible sources. These sources should not only provide solid evidence to support your argument but also enhance the overall credibility of your essay.

Now that we understand the basics, let’s delve deeper into the different types of synthesis essays and the necessary steps to craft an exceptional piece of writing.

Key Takeaways:

• The synthesis essay requires the writer to combine information from multiple sources to build a persuasive argument.
• Selecting credible sources is crucial for the success of a synthesis essay.
• There are various types of synthesis essays, including explanatory, argumentative, review, and literature synthesis essays .
• The steps to writing a synthesis essay include understanding the concept, selecting a topic , gathering and integrating sources , crafting body paragraphs, and revising your essay.
• Mastering the synthesis essay requires practice, revision, and attention to detail.

Types of Synthesis Essays

When it comes to synthesizing information from multiple sources, there are different types of synthesis essays that writers can employ to effectively convey their message. Understanding these different types can help you choose the most suitable approach for your essay. Let’s explore four common types of synthesis essays:

1. Explanatory Synthesis Essays

Explanatory synthesis essays focus on demystifying complex topics and making them crystal clear for readers. In these essays, the writer synthesizes information from various sources to provide a comprehensive explanation or analysis of the subject matter. Through the synthesis of different perspectives, the writer aims to educate and inform the reader about the chosen topic.

2. Argumentative Synthesis Essays

In argumentative synthesis essays , writers take a stance on an issue or topic and use evidence from multiple sources to support their argument. These essays require the writer to develop a strong thesis statement and back it up with compelling arguments synthesized from credible sources. By presenting a balanced and well-supported argument, the writer aims to persuade the reader to adopt their viewpoint.

3. Review Synthesis Essays

Review synthesis essays involve evaluating and critiquing various sources on a particular topic. In these essays, the writer synthesizes information from multiple sources to analyze and assess the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives, theories, or arguments. Through a careful synthesis of diverse viewpoints, the writer provides an in-depth review of the topic, highlighting its key aspects and offering insightful commentary.

4. Literature Synthesis Essays

Literature synthesis essays combine ideas and concepts from different sources to analyze a specific piece of literature. These essays require the writer to synthesize information from various literary sources, such as novels, poems, or plays, and analyze the themes, characters, or literary devices present in the work. By integrating ideas from different sources, the writer aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the chosen literary piece.

Steps to Writing a Synthesis Essay

Writing a synthesis essay involves several important steps that are crucial for crafting a well-structured and persuasive piece of writing. By following these steps, you can effectively synthesize information from multiple sources and create a cohesive argument.

Selecting a Topic

The first step in writing a synthesis essay is selecting a focused and manageable topic. Choose a topic that allows for a comprehensive analysis of different perspectives or ideas. Consider the availability of credible sources and ensure that you can gather enough information to support your argument. A clear and well-defined topic will make the writing process smoother and help you stay focused throughout.

Gathering Sources

Once you have chosen a topic, it’s time to gather sources that will provide the necessary information to support your argument. Look for credible and reliable sources such as academic journals, books, reputable websites, and scholarly articles. The quality of your sources is essential for the credibility of your essay. Take notes while reading and organize your sources for easy reference during the writing process.

Integrating Sources and Writing Body Paragraphs

The next step is to integrate the information from your sources into your essay. Avoid simply summarizing each source but instead, analyze and synthesize the information to develop your argument. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or idea related to your topic and include evidence from multiple sources to support your claims. Use clear topic sentences to introduce each paragraph and ensure a logical flow of ideas.

Crafting a Conclusion and Revising and Proofreading

Conclude your synthesis essay by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis statement. The conclusion should provide a clear and concise summary of your argument and leave the reader with a strong impression. After completing your essay, take the time to revise and proofread it for clarity, coherence, and grammatical errors. Ensure that your essay flows smoothly and that your arguments are supported by evidence from your sources. By following these steps, you can write an effective synthesis essay that showcases your ability to synthesize information and present a persuasive argument.

In conclusion, understanding the synthesis essay concept is crucial for mastering the art of writing one. By following the tips provided in this guide, we can confidently navigate the complexities of this essay type and produce high-quality work.

When approaching a synthesis essay, it is important to remember the purpose of combining ideas from multiple sources to create a cohesive and persuasive argument. By selecting a focused and manageable topic, gathering credible sources, and smoothly integrating them into our essay, we can strengthen our argument and showcase our analytical abilities.

Crafting a strong conclusion is equally vital. It is our opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the reader and drive home the main points of our essay. Through careful revision and proofreading, we can ensure that our essay is clear, coherent, and impactful.

By following these tips, we can confidently tackle the challenge of writing a synthesis essay. With practice and dedication, we will continue to refine our skills and produce outstanding work. So, let’s dive into the world of synthesis essays, armed with knowledge and a passion for persuasive writing!

What is a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay goes beyond summarizing information and requires the writer to synthesize information from multiple sources to support their argument or thesis.

How is a synthesis essay different from an argumentative essay?

A synthesis essay uses information from multiple sources to build a case, while an argumentative essay focuses on presenting and defending a specific argument or stance.

What are the different types of synthesis essays?

There are several types of synthesis essays, including explanatory synthesis essays , argumentative synthesis essays , review synthesis essays , and literature synthesis essays.

What is the purpose of an explanatory synthesis essay?

An explanatory synthesis essay aims to demystify complex topics and make them clear and understandable for readers.

How do I write a synthesis essay?

To write a synthesis essay, you need to understand the concept, select a focused and manageable topic, gather credible sources, integrate them smoothly into your essay, structure your essay with clear topic sentences and supporting details, and revise and proofread for clarity and coherence.

How can I master the synthesis essay?

By understanding the concept and following the steps involved in writing a synthesis essay, such as selecting a topic , gathering credible sources, integrating them smoothly, and crafting a strong conclusion. Revision and proofreading are also essential for refining your essay.

How can I make my synthesis essay persuasive?

Ensure that you gather sources from credible and reliable sources, integrate them smoothly, present strong arguments and evidence, and craft a clear and impactful conclusion.

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• https://ebling.library.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Undertaking-a-literature-review-a-step-by-step-approach.pdf
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How to Write an Argument Synthesis Essay: a Step-by-Step Instruction

Table of Contents

Students at schools, colleges, and universities frequently receive a bunch of assignments to complete at home. Such home tasks come in various forms and types, aimed to test different academic skills and abilities. Thus, as soon as you receive a synthesis essay assignment, you should naturally start thinking of how to structure a synthesis essay and what to include in it.

No worries; we have you covered and have included everything you need to know about argument synthesis essay writing in this article.

Here you’ll find:

• A detailed guide on how to write an argument thesis essay.
• Several evergreen synthesis paper topics to use in different academic situations.
• A universal, helpful synthesis outline template you can adjust to any topic.
• A ton of valuable tips and step-by-step instructions for flawless argumentative writing.

Read on to impress your tutor and submit a bulletproof essay beating all academic standards.

Synthesis Essay Definition

Before dealing with how to write an argumentative thesis, we’ll clarify the concept of synthesis essay writing. This type of academic composition is distinct from other writing forms and should follow specific guidelines and instructions.

In a nutshell, a synthesis means incorporating several sources into your argument. In other words, you need to find various bits of academic evidence in the library sources, identify their key themes and ideas, and synthesize those ideas after identifying relationships between them.

For example, you can compare several theories on one subject to see what they have in common and how they approach that subject overall. Or you can analyze a concept from varying perspectives, such as, for instance, the analysis of social effects of a new proposed law from the viewpoint of various stakeholders.

Argument Synthesis Essay Outline

The question, “how to write an argument thesis essay,” should be answered by turning to outline first. An outline is an essential prewriting step that explains what significant points to include and how to structure the whole text.

Here is a sample outline for your synthesis essay.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction to the subject. Background facts and ideas. Thesis statement with significant points to be argued in the body of the paper.

BODY OF THE PAPER

Paragraph #1.

Topic sentence – what this paragraph is about. Supporting evidence from several sources. Your interpretation of those sources and a synthesis of what they share on the discussed point. A transition to the next paragraph.

Paragraph #2

Topic sentence – what this paragraph is about. Supporting evidence from several sources. Your interpretation of those sources and a synthesis of what they share on the discussed point. A transition to the next paragraph

Paragraph #3

Topic sentence – what this paragraph is about. Supporting evidence from several sources. Your interpretation of those sources and a synthesis of what they share on the discussed point. A transition to the concluding section.

Summary of your major arguments. Rephrased thesis statement. Reference the broader context of your paper’s topic and its implications for the study area you’ve examined.

How to Start a Synthesis Essay

How to write an argument thesis essay’s introduction? Let’s consider this point in detail as a good start is vital for effective, quick completion of an assignment.

After the outline is ready, you need to compose the introduction to an argument essay you’re writing. The major points it should include are the description of your broad context the key point you’ll argue (thesis). As a rule, the topic’s description should incorporate a broad introduction of the context and some basic coverage of the subject’s background. A thesis statement is usually at the end of the introductory paragraph, serving as the kernel of your essay and explaining what you’ll argue in the body of the paper.

The length of this part depends on your overall word count in the essay; small essays usually have only one introductory paragraph containing all these elements. Longer works can include several paragraphs or a standalone section introducing the subject.

What to Write About in an Argument Synthesis Essay

Now that you have completed the intro, it’s time to unfold each of the arguments mentioned in the thesis statement in the body of your paper.

So, how to write an argument synthesis essay’s central part? Here are some valuable tips to consider:

• Structure your body by argument, not by source. Your primary aim is to show what various sources say about your subject and where their points coincide. Thus, you will present a genuinely synthetic viewpoint by eliciting several parallels on which the arguments meet each other.
• Couple citations from sources with your own interpretation. Once you’ve found some coinciding viewpoints and organized your paragraphs around them, it’s also your task to explain to the readers what each of these points means, how significant this consensus is, and what it says about the broader context of your topic.
• Never focus on one side of the argument, dismissing the opposing opinions and facts. If you give credit to ideas supporting only one side, you will sound biased and opinionated, which is a sign of a non-competent, non-academic paper.
• Keep in mind who will read your paper. If that’s your supervisor, it’s vital to include professional terms and concepts into the content to sound knowledgeable about the subject. If that’s some general audience of laypersons, try to stick to less professional words and simpler sentence structures to enhance comprehension.

How to Conclude Argument Synthesis Essay

Think of your concluding part as an answer to the “so what” question. In the introduction, you presented the context and significance of your issue. The body of your paper was dedicated to a thoughtful analysis of that issue point by point.

Now, you need to summarize whether you achieved the set goals and whether your argument is complete and valid. Give a summary of your major points, reiterate your thesis statement, and show how your knowledge on the subject progressed towards a better understanding of the problem and its solution.

Examples of a Synthesis Essay

Need some more guidance on how to write an argument synthesis essay? Here is a brief sample for your convenience. Study it to see how our experts organized the argumentation and synthesized opinions from multiple sources into one coherent argument:

Video gaming has been a favorite pastime of millions of people for many years. Still, with the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of active gamers increased manifold. Thus, today video games are not only kids’ fun; millions of adult gamers worldwide are ready to spend tons of money on gaming armor and accessories. Given the rising number of gamers, the game producers have started using numerous innovations and hooks to keep players engaged, which are not always ethical. Active monetization and social networking strategies attract more players but produce a devastating effect on the teenagers’ and adults’ social and psychological well-being.

The most widely discussed effect of video gaming is social isolation. The study of Jameson (2020) showed that teens playing video games for more than 20 hours a week tend to have no friends and suffer from bullying three times more often. Kiddig (2021) supported that argument by claiming that active video gamers prefer online communication to real-world activities. Thus, 78% of his respondents did not engage in sports and reported a low level of social activity. These findings suggest that teenagers resorting to online gaming have socialization problems, tend to avoid real-life activities with peers, and feel socially isolated in school settings.

As one can see, the problem of social isolation connected with intense video gaming is pressing among teens. Those who prefer games to real-world communication are poor communicators and have problems with peers more often. Besides, the absence of social activities and engagement in sports can produce a far-reaching adverse effect on teens’ health. Thus, the issue of gaming addiction should be addressed at all levels through parental and child education, merging cyber-gaming and real-life sports activities, and more active promotion of an outdoor lifestyle.

Bonus Tips from Pro Writers

We’re sharing some secrets to making your assignment truly outstanding.

Follow them, and in some time, you’ll be able to achieve greater heights in academic writing mastery and talent:

• Invest enough time and effort into your thesis formulation. This key element of your intro will guide you in the writing process and contribute to your paper’s readability and clarity.
• Select the sources first and study them closely to draw the parallels and common points from the chosen set. Once you start writing, you need to know what unites these sources, what points the authors share, and how they approach the subject.
• Be sure to allocate 2-3 sources per point in your argument as it’s a sure way to make the argument genuinely synthetic. Otherwise, you risk sounding biased, and your synthesis won’t succeed.
• Don’t forget to credit all included sources, as plagiarism is the writer’s worst sin.

Our Help Is Always a Safe Choice

Still unsure about how to write an argument synthesis essay? Stuck with other assignments, with no extra time for research and careful composition? It’s not a problem anymore, as our experts are here, ready to help you with any kind of synthesis essay you need.

Just contact our managers and voice your needs, and they will assign a capable professional with many years of writing expertise to your order in minutes. Relax and enjoy student life; it can be really fun to study smart, not hard.

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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!

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.

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:

• 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.

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:

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:

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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Chapter 5: Writing a Summary and Synthesizing

5.4 Informative vs. Argumentative Synthesis

Svetlana Zhuravlova

In academic research and writing, synthesizing of the information from the obtained available resources results in novelty, discovery, reaching to the common sense on a debatable issue, clarifying the perplexity of the subject under the discussion,or making the point on a controversial topic. Your rhetorical goal for writing a synthesis essay will be identified by the given assignment. In your First-Year Writing courses, you may write an Informative/Explanatory Synthesis and/or an Argumentative Synthesis.

What is an Informative/Explanatory Synthesisis?

In informative writing, you are explaining the discussion points and topics to your readers without taking a position of one side or another, without showing your opinion. Even if the topic is debatable and highly controversial, instead of promoting your personal opinion, you have to objectively introduce the ideas of others, explain and show how their information is related to each other’s, how the information may connect and diverge. You are not showing your agreement with some authors and disagreement with the others. You should stay neutral both in your comments on the found information and in your conclusions reached at the end of the discussion.

Organize the discussion among the authors of your sources as was explained in Section 5.2  under “How do You Synthesize? “

• Example: Numerous authors wonder if this is a natural progression over time because of the laws that have changed or a shift in ideals that redefine what free speech is supposed to be…  Author N believes that [free speech] is not controlled enough in the interest of the people, while Authors B and D believe that, in an ideal world, opinions would be formed and spoken without repercussion and merely be a part of language…

  At the end of the discussion, draw your neutral conclusion on the topic:

• Example: The question if speech has become limited, affecting the right to freedom of speech, lies in the hands of the people and the justice system itself.

Additional examples for Explanatory Synthesis here

  What is an Argumentative Synthesis?

Everything you learned about Argumentative Writing in chapters of this textbook is true and valid for writing an Argumentative Synthesis. The main difference may be that you are to support your ideas with evidence found in multiple sources, show and explain how the authors’ opinions relate, who of your authors agree and who disagree on the controversial issue, while your comments on the information retrieved from these sources and your conclusions will clarify your own position in the debate.

First, you start the debate with the assertion that sets the goal for the debate, its controversy:

• Example: Societal changes are a large part in the debate of free speech and its limitations . The debate is about whether offensive speech should be punished when it is said with the intent to psychologically harm a group or person, or if immoral or scandalous speech should be off-limits.

Then, you are moderating the debate among the experts

• Professor of Law E disagrees…
• His thought is echoed by Professor R from the University of …
• Authors F and S also discuss and assess…
• Following in their steps, Authors D and T express…
• Unfortunately, in opposition to their respect, Author X asserts that…
• This brings us back to the view point of Authors F and S, who argue that…

Finally, conclude the discussion and finalize your position:

•  Thus, hateful and immoral speech – which typically associates itself with low-value because of harmful words – will continue to find its limitations in the world even if it is not through government operations…  

When you synthesize, you are a part of the discussion and a leader of the discussion that you have initiated. You are introducing the voices and ideas of others, so you should be flexible and fair to all participating authors. You should avoid personal attack, as well as other logical fallacies in your comments on the information borrowed from your source materials. Read more in 6.5 Logical Fallacies

A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing by Svetlana Zhuravlova is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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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 the additional reading required for the question.

Below is a sample synthesis essay question, sample scoring guidelines, comments from the Chief Reader about the sample student essays, seven sample student responses, and scoring commentary for each sample.

Approximately 300 AP English Language and Composition students from eight schools in New York, Maine, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Florida, and New Mexico wrote responses to this synthesis topic. Students from these schools were given a 15-minute reading period followed by a 40-minute writing period in which to complete the sample synthesis assignment.

• AP English Language and Composition Synthesis Essay #1 (.pdf/84KB)
• Sample Scoring Guidelines (.pdf/43KB)
• Comments from the Chief Reader (.pdf/47KB)
• Sample Student Responses (.pdf/3.65MB)
• Scoring Commentary (.pdf/50KB)

An additional sample synthesis essay question is provided here.

• AP English Language and Composition Synthesis Essay #2 (.pdf/338KB)

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17.3 The Structure of a Synthesis Essay

Synthesis involves putting sources into conversation with one another in order to recognize various perspectives on a topic and understand it more deeply. In academic writing, this understanding of the “conversation” becomes the content of the synthesis paper. When you synthesize, you are a leader of a discussion that you have initiated. You are introducing the voices and ideas of others, so you should be flexible and fair to your sources. You should avoid personal attack as well as other logical fallacies in your comments on the information borrowed from your source materials.

In writing a synthesis essay, you are essentially staging a conversation. It can be helpful to think of yourself as a late-night talk show host. You are in charge of choosing your sources, putting them in order, introducing the sources to the reader, and drawing out the most poignant quotes and information from each of your sources—but your voice is always the guiding voice throughout the essay. You are the host. It’s your show.

Thinking of yourself as the host of a talk show can also help you choose the best structure for your synthesis essay.

Will you be the talk show host who introduces guests to the audience one by one, dialoguing with guests one at a time? Or will you be the talk show host who introduces guests to the audience but then introduces them each other, engaging multiple guests in dialogue and positioning your guests so that they talk to each other?

Figures 1-2: How will you interact with your sources? Are you a Jimmy or a James?

Conversations That Move Back and Forth: The Comparison/Contrast Structure

An organizational schema that works well, especially when sources are divided, is the Comparison/Contrast structure. The authors of “Writing a Synthesis Essay” characterize the Comparison/Contrast synthesis essay as having the following components:

• Summaries of each source, showing their similarities and differences
• Movement from point-to-point, back and forth between items being compared
• Blocks of discussion topics, in which one item is discussed before moving on to the next

In this case, when thinking about how to structure your Synthesis Essay, you might imagine yourself as a debate moderator, the host of a roundtable discussion, or the emcee at a dinner event introducing the guests and speakers and guiding the conversation at the table. In all of these examples, the conversation moves back and forth.

Figures 3-8: What conversation format do you prefer—discussion, debate, dialogue, or … dinner?

Sequential Order: Problem-Solution, Climactic, Chronological

Another option is to structure your Synthesis Essay so that your sources appear in sequential order, organizing your sources as though they were participants in a parade with you hosting the broadcast, introducing each participant, and providing the commentary.

Figures 9-11: Everyone loves a parade!

There are two organizational schemas identified by the authors of “Writing a Synthesis Essay” that naturally lend themselves to a sequential structure. The first is the Problem/Solution structure in which you explain the problem in the introduction and then review solutions as the essay progresses. Another is the Climactic structure in which you proceed through your sources based on the quality of argument and persuasive appeal of each source, concluding with your strongest sources.

A third sequential organizational strategy, the Chronological structure, may also work well if your sources are not in dialogue with each other because they were not published at the same time or because they address different subtleties of your topic. For instance, you may be writing a Synthesis Essay in which you argue for music’s positive healing effect on the mind with sources from 1984, 1992, 2004, and 2020. One of those sources may be an early argument for music’s mental health benefits and provide a sense of the mindset when the field of music therapy was newly emerging, another source may present an overview of the many mental benefits of music, another may argue for the mental health benefits for those who have dementia, another may look at the mental health benefits of music for stressed college students, and yet another may be about the positive effects of music on children’s brain development. In this case, the sources amplify or add to the conversation rather than attempting to counter the argument, so organizing the sources sequentially may make the most sense.

Choosing the best structure for your Synthesis Essay will depend on your topic, your argument, your sources, and even—to a certain extent—your personality as the host of the conversation.

Additional Structural Suggestions

Make sure that your parade starts strong with a solid introductory paragraph. Your introduction should contain a concise statement that sums up the focus of your synthesis. Be sure to provide any necessary contextual information about the general topic of the paper. Introduce your sources, providing the full name of the author. Sometimes you may also want to provide pertinent background information about the authors and the titles of the texts.

The body of your essay should be organized according to the components of your argument. Be sure that each paragraph begins with a sentence that informs readers of the topic of the paragraph. Each paragraph should include information from more than one source, and you should clearly indicate which material comes from which source by using narrative in-text citations, signal phrases, and in-text parenthetical citations.

Continue Reading: 17.4 Using Sources in Synthesis

Composition for Commodores Copyright © 2024 by Mollie Chambers; Karin Hooks; Donna Hunt; Kim Karshner; Josh Kesterson; Geoff Polk; Amy Scott-Douglass; Justin Sevenker; Jewon Woo; and other LCCC Faculty is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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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.

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• Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix

Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix

Published on July 4, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Synthesizing sources involves combining the work of other scholars to provide new insights. It’s a way of integrating sources that helps situate your work in relation to existing research.

Synthesizing sources involves more than just summarizing . You must emphasize how each source contributes to current debates, highlighting points of (dis)agreement and putting the sources in conversation with each other.

You might synthesize sources in your literature review to give an overview of the field or throughout your research paper when you want to position your work in relation to existing research.

Table of contents

Example of synthesizing sources, how to synthesize sources, synthesis matrix, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about synthesizing sources.

Let’s take a look at an example where sources are not properly synthesized, and then see what can be done to improve it.

This paragraph provides no context for the information and does not explain the relationships between the sources described. It also doesn’t analyze the sources or consider gaps in existing research.

Research on the barriers to second language acquisition has primarily focused on age-related difficulties. Building on Lenneberg’s (1967) theory of a critical period of language acquisition, Johnson and Newport (1988) tested Lenneberg’s idea in the context of second language acquisition. Their research seemed to confirm that young learners acquire a second language more easily than older learners. Recent research has considered other potential barriers to language acquisition. Schepens, van Hout, and van der Slik (2022) have revealed that the difficulties of learning a second language at an older age are compounded by dissimilarity between a learner’s first language and the language they aim to acquire. Further research needs to be carried out to determine whether the difficulty faced by adult monoglot speakers is also faced by adults who acquired a second language during the “critical period.”

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To synthesize sources, group them around a specific theme or point of contention.

As you read sources, ask:

• What questions or ideas recur? Do the sources focus on the same points, or do they look at the issue from different angles?
• How does each source relate to others? Does it confirm or challenge the findings of past research?
• Where do the sources agree or disagree?

Once you have a clear idea of how each source positions itself, put them in conversation with each other. Analyze and interpret their points of agreement and disagreement. This displays the relationships among sources and creates a sense of coherence.

Consider both implicit and explicit (dis)agreements. Whether one source specifically refutes another or just happens to come to different conclusions without specifically engaging with it, you can mention it in your synthesis either way.

Synthesize your sources using:

• Topic sentences to introduce the relationship between the sources
• Signal phrases to attribute ideas to their authors
• Transition words and phrases to link together different ideas

To more easily determine the similarities and dissimilarities among your sources, you can create a visual representation of their main ideas with a synthesis matrix . This is a tool that you can use when researching and writing your paper, not a part of the final text.

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. You can then synthesize these sources in your work by explaining their relationship.

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

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Synthesizing sources means comparing and contrasting the work of other scholars to provide new insights.

It involves analyzing and interpreting the points of agreement and disagreement among sources.

You might synthesize sources in your literature review to give an overview of the field of research or throughout your paper when you want to contribute something new to existing research.

A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question .

It is often written as part of a thesis, dissertation , or research paper , in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge.

Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument.

In an essay or paper , each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Ryan, E. (2023, May 31). Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix. Scribbr. Retrieved June 7, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/synthesizing-sources/

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How to Write a Good Conclusion (With Examples) 

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Published: May 31, 2024

Students often spend a great deal of time crafting essay introductions while leaving the conclusion as an afterthought. While the introduction is one of the most vital aspects of an essay, a good conclusion can have just as much of an impact on its effectiveness. Knowing how to write a good conclusion is crucial, as it encapsulates your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

A well-crafted conclusion should serve as the final pitch for your arguments. Your reader should walk away with a clear understanding of what they just read and how it applies to the core of your thesis. With the right approach, your conclusion can transform a good essay into a great one, making it both memorable and impactful.

This article will guide you through four simple steps of writing compelling conclusions. Each step is designed to help you reinforce your thesis and articulate your final thoughts in a way that will resonate with your teacher or professor. With a bit of practice, you can learn how to stick the landing and give every essay the finale it deserves.

What Is the Purpose of the Conclusion Paragraph?

Understanding the purpose of the conclusion paragraph is essential for effective essay writing. The conclusion paragraph should be more than just a summary of your essay. It should consolidate all your arguments and tie them back to your thesis.

Remember, all good writing inspires emotion. Whether to inspire, provoke, or engage is up to you, but the conclusion should always leave a lasting impression.

If in doubt, Smodin’s AI Chat tool can be handy for gauging the emotional impact of your conclusion.

By mastering the art of writing a powerful conclusion, you equip yourself with the tools to ensure your essays stand out. Whether it’s the first or last essay you’re writing for the class, it’s your chance to leave a definitive mark on your reader.

How to Write a Good Conclusion

This approach ensures your conclusion adds value and reinforces your arguments’ coherence. Here are three simple and effective practices to help you craft a solid conclusion.

Restating Your Thesis

Restating your thesis in the conclusion is a common practice in essay writing, and for good reason. It helps underscore how your understanding has deepened or shifted based on the evidence you provided.

Just understand that a restatement of your original thesis doesn’t mean a complete word-for-word repeat. You should rephrase your original thesis so that it elucidates the insights you touched on throughout the essay. Smodin’s AI Rewriter can help refine your restatement to ensure it is fresh and impactful.

Here are a few tips to effectively restate your thesis

• Show Complexity : If your essay added layers or nuances to the original statement, be sure to articulate that clearly.
• Integrate Key Findings : Incorporate the main findings of your essay to reinforce how they supported or refined your thesis.
• Keep It Fresh : Again, you want to avoid repeating the same things twice. Use different wording that reflects a nuanced perspective.

Finally, always ensure that the restated thesis connects seamlessly with the rest of your essay. Always try to showcase the coherence of your writing to provide the reader with a strong sense of closure.

Using AI tools like Smodin’s Outliner and Essay Writer can ensure your writing flows smoothly and is easy to follow.

Providing an Effective Synthesis

Providing an effective synthesis should enhance your original thesis. All good arguments should evolve and shift throughout the essay. Rather than simply summarizing these findings, you should integrate critical insights and evidence to demonstrate a deeper or more nuanced understanding.

Draw connections between the main points discussed and show how they collectively support your thesis. Also, reflect on the implications of these insights for the broader context of your subject. And once again, always use fresh and engaging language to maintain the reader’s interest.

The last thing you want is for your reader to view your essay as a collection of individual points. A good essay should read as a unified whole, with all the pieces tying together naturally. You affirm your argument’s significance when you tie all the pieces together in your conclusion.

Providing New Insights

Also, think of this step as your opportunity to propose future research directions based on your findings. What could a student or researcher study next? What unanswered questions remain? If you’re having trouble answering these questions, consider using Smodin’s research tools to expand your knowledge of the topic.

That isn’t to say you can leave open-ended or unanswered questions about your own thesis. On the contrary, your conclusion should firmly establish the validity of your argument. That said, any deep and insightful analysis naturally leads to further exploration. Draw attention to these potential areas of inquiry.

(Optional) Form a Personal Connection With the Reader

Forming a connection with the reader in the conclusion can personalize and strengthen the impact of your essay. This technique can be powerful if implemented correctly, making your writing more relatable, human, and memorable.

That said, slime academics discourage using “I” in formal essays. It’s always best to clarify your teacher’s or professor’s stance before submitting your final draft.

If it is allowed, consider sharing a brief personal reflection or anecdote that ties back to the main themes of your essay. A personal touch can go a long way toward humanizing your arguments and creating a connection with the reader.

Whatever you choose, remember that your conclusion should always complement the analytical findings of your essay. Never say anything that detracts from your thesis or the findings you presented.

Examples of Good Conclusions

Let’s explore some examples to illustrate what a well-crafted conclusion looks and sounds like. The following are two hypothetical thesis essays from the fields of science and literature.

• Thesis Topic: The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs
• Introduction: “Coral reefs act as the guardians of the ocean’s biodiversity. These underwater ecosystems are among the most vibrant and essential on the entire planet. However, the escalating impact of climate change poses a severe threat to their health and survival. This essay aims to dissect specific environmental changes contributing to coral degradation while proposing measures for mitigation.”
• Conclusion: “This investigation into the impact of climate change on coral reefs has revealed a disturbing acceleration of coral bleaching events and a significant decline of reef biodiversity. The findings presented in this study establish a clear link between increased sea temperatures and coral reef mortality. Future research should focus on the resilience mechanisms of coral species that could influence conservation strategies. The fate of the coral reefs depends on humanity’s immediate and concentrated action to curb global emissions and preserve these vital ecosystems for future generations.”

Notice how the conclusion doesn’t simply restate the thesis. Instead, it highlights the definitive connection between climate change and coral health. It also reiterates the issue’s urgency and extends a call of action for ongoing intervention. The last sentence is direct, to the point, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

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• Thesis Topic: The Evolution of the American Dream in 20th-Century American Literature
• Introduction: “The American Dream was once defined by prosperity and success. However, throughout the 20th century, the representation of the American Dream in popular literature has undergone significant changes. Are these representations indicative of a far-reaching sentiment that lay dormant among the American public? Or were these works simply the result of disillusioned writers responding to the evolving challenges of the times?”
• Conclusion: “Works by F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, and Toni Morrison illustrate the American Dream’s evolution from unbridled optimism to a more critical examination of the American ethos. Throughout modernist and post-modernist literature, the American Dream is often at odds with core American values. These novels reflect broader societal shifts that continue to shape the national consciousness. Further research into contemporary literature could provide greater insight into the complexities of this concept.”

You will know exactly what this essay covers by reading the introduction and conclusion alone. It summarizes the evolution of the American Dream by examining the works of three unique authors. It then analyzes these works to demonstrate how they reflect broader societal shifts. The conclusion works as both a capstone and a bridge to set the stage for future inquiries.

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Is America Headed for Another Civil War?

Jamelle bouie and tim alberta on whether america’s polarization is at a tipping point..

It’s “The Argument.” I’m Jane Coaston.

The great divide in American politics shows no sign of closing.

We are a very divided, polarized country right now.

We must be honest with each other and with ourselves. Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal.

I don’t know if you know this, but America and Americans feel pretty divided right now over our politics, over our culture, over what we eat and how we worship and what we do in our free time and even what we watch on TV. And according to some people, all that division might lead to a new, quote, unquote, “civil war.” But whenever we use terms like that, terms that have meant something very specific in the past, I’m curious about what we actually mean. And in the wake of January 6, should we really be worried about just how far political violence is going to go?

One of my guests today thinks there’s fire behind the rhetorical smoke. Tim Alberta is a staff writer at The Atlantic. And in August, he made the case that the F.B.I. raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate was a tipping point. He argues that if some MAGA Republicans are looking for reasons to rise up against the government, the raid might just give them one.

Not only are there no guardrails to disincentivize the bad behavior, but there is every incentive, every reward, pointing towards extremism.

But Times Opinion Columnist, Jamelle Bouie has argued that no, there’s no Gettysburg part two on the horizon. Jamelle’s a historian of the actual American Civil War. And he’s written that we’re not really in the same moment we were in 160 years ago.

I do not like the presence of far-right politics in the mainstream. But is it just part of ordinary politics at this point? Or does it represent something like being qualitatively different? And I’m not sure that it represents something qualitatively different.

Hi, Jamelle.

Hello, Jane.

Thank you so much for joining me to talk about the civil war, but not the Civil War, because when we’re talking about civil war, I think most Americans think of the American Civil War. Or they think of Civil War as in the state against the state, bayonets, muskets, a conflict that killed more Americans than any other conflict thus far. That, to me, is a universal way from what war and what this country’s politics look like today. So Tim, before we get into the specifics about what you were talking about in your piece, when you say civil war, what do you mean?

Yeah, I think that’s the right place to start. I think we probably start with what civil war is not, in this context, armies of red and blue, fighting another battle of Antietam. We’re not talking about the forces of Charlie Kirk clashing in the streets with the forces of Keith Olbermann, or pick your figurehead. We’re not talking about something anywhere near, I think, the scale or anywhere resembling the organization of what we saw in the mid-19th century.

What we are discussing is some significant scale of semi-organized, lethal, civil conflict that is organized around not just political and ideological disputes, but perceived threats to economies, livelihoods. And I don’t know that we would recognize it in the U.S., but it would follow something of a pattern that I think we’ve seen in other parts of the world, where have some sort of sectarian violence, not necessarily confined to anything resembling symmetrical warfare between citizens.

But also, local governments, regional governments, clashing with federal government, or even, perhaps, at the local level, sheriffs refusing to enforce state laws and potential outgrowth of violence from there that could reach a scale that we haven’t seen in a very long time in this country.

Jamelle, when you write that we are not heading towards civil war, what is the civil war that you have in mind?

So I think that if we’re going to define civil war as basically being low-intensity civil conflict, then that we shouldn’t refer to it as civil war because I think that when you look at what civil wars generally look like, they do involve sort of organized factions or organized — if not armies, then military forces. They may not necessarily involve entities trying to, themselves, become like states. It may be a struggle for control of the existing state.

But there are organized armed forces. There are organized political entities. And they’re vying, through armed conflict, for control of the state. And that is, I think, I don’t see happening in the United States anytime soon. But I do think Tim is right to say that we look like we are in the range of low-intensity civil conflict.

And I’m not sure we should think of that as an exceptional state in American history, that when you look at the broad sweep of the United States since 1865, what you’ll see is that we are probably living through an unusual period where violence between citizens over political issues is kind of at an all-time low.

I’m extremely skeptical that we are in for anything other than what we’ve seen in the past, which is small bands of individuals, maybe with a tacit endorsement of actual, legitimate political leaders, or at least legitimate political leaders looking the other way, committing acts of violence. But at that point, again, we are looking at stuff that is actually pretty common throughout American history.

Jamelle, you’re saying that we are not in a unique moment of exceptional violence and democracy destruction. And it’s not a matter of who is fighting whom, but also what your goal is when you’re talking about civil war.

Right. The language of civil war is a very scary kind of language. And it implies the dissolution of the country in really important ways, like the dissolution of civil order. And I think the thing I want to emphasize is that you can have elevated levels of political violence, even quite dramatic rates of political violence. I’m thinking here of the late-reconstruction South where political mob violence, organized political violence, was just like a common feature of political life in those years.

And overall, civil society still is pretty normal. It still is pretty much the same. And that’s just a qualitatively different thing than what life looks like under conditions of civil war.

I want to get Tim in here because I think you’d differ with Jamelle about the moment that we’re in. And you’ve cited your experience in specific spaces like gun shows and Trump rallies and Trump-leaning churches as the reason you think America is tracking towards a new scale of political violence. So what makes you think that this is a new era of civic cataclysm?

Yeah, well there’s a lot to unpack there. I would start by saying that I broadly agree with Jamelle’s definition as far as what civil war is and again, what it isn’t’. As recently as four or five years ago, I probably would have been quite dismissive of my own fears, here, of the idea that we could be heading towards a meaningful scale of civic violence.

But I will tell you that what really changed my perception on all of this was the coronavirus. And I spent a lot of 2020 just talking with individuals, not just the small-town diner thing, but bigger cities, trying to absorb as much as I could of this moment in American life.

And what was so unique about the pandemic was how it validated, it sort of fulfilled the prophecy for so many on the right, of a hostile, weaponized, big government that was coming for them. And of course, Donald Trump was fabulously successful in spearheading that message.

And of course, you fast forward all the way to August 8, the search at Mar-a-Lago, what was the message coming from all of these Republican members of Congress, Republican governors, prominent, influential people in the G.O.P.?

It was that same message. And it was a haunting, threatening message, saying this is just the tip of the iceberg. What do you think these 87,000 new I.R.S. agents are for? They’re coming after you. And I think the biggest change for me, Jane, was going to state capitals where you had people walking around with a AR-15s strapped around their shoulders, and talking to these people, and hearing time and time and time again that civil war was imminent and that they were actively preparing for it.

You can only hear that so many times, and get into detailed conversations with individuals about what they’re doing to prepare for that conflict, before you start to take it a little bit more seriously. And so to the extent that I’m now perhaps bed wetting over it, it’s very much informed by that experience.

Yeah, Jamelle, I am curious about this because I do think that is an important shift. I did a lot of writing and research about white separatist movements, white nationalist movements in the 1990s and 2000s. And what you saw was some occasional winking and nodding at those groups. But generally, that was perceived to be a bad thing. But now you’re seeing people in the very highest echelons of power who believe that, because Donald Trump is not president, the government doesn’t count.

Right. I’m always unsure of how to calibrate my perception of these things, in part because they’re never dissimilar to stuff that occurred earlier — and earlier meaning quite recently. So you mentioned the 1990s. 1990s is when you see the explosion of the militia movement.

And although the militia movement is less mainstream than some of the talk we’re seeing today, it also wasn’t that far from the mainstream right. And so you had sitting Congress people expressing their sympathy with the militia movement, maybe not national leaders. And that might be an important, meaningful difference.

But we’re not only talking about fringe figures here when we’re talking about the 1990s. I think it matters, right, that up until the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, there is a willingness among conservative Republicans, among the right-wing of the Republican Party, to express sympathy with these groups.

Describing the F.B.I. as jackbooted thugs and you do see a lot of that.

New world order conspiracies. I mean, these things are part of the fervent of conservative politics in the 1990s. And so the Covid-related right-wing conspiracies, the I.R.S. stuff that we’ve seen recently, it’s like in some sense, because it’s coming from maybe a larger number of mainstream Republicans, mainstream political figures, it’s more worrisome. But it’s also, to my mind, exactly in the same lane as the stuff we saw 30 years earlier, as stuff that is just part of far-right politics in the United States.

And so is the mainstreaming of far-right politics itself some indication for increased civil violence? Maybe. I don’t think I necessarily disagree with that. But I’m not certain how much we should take that to mean an impending shift in overall levels of political violence in the United States.

I think, Tim, when I’m thinking about today’s political violence, I’m concerned about the so-called lone wolves that aren’t lone, whether that’s the shooting in Buffalo or in Charleston. And obviously I think about January 6.

But if Jamelle’s point is that this type of violence, or the type of violent rhetoric is not unusual in our politics, and that there has been a longer history of winking and nodding at it in specifically right-wing circles, what do you think has changed? Attitudinally, what is different from the moments that we were having after Oklahoma City or in a time where militia movements were extremely active and continue to be?

Yeah, I think that we’re probably not yet addressing — maybe not the elephant in the room but certainly an elephant in the room, which is, to me, what makes this moment feel extraordinarily unique and exceptionally dangerous is, you mentioned a couple of those shootings that were directly tied into not just racial animus, but more broadly, notions of a Great Replacement Theory, of a weaponized demographic change in the country, and its roots in a strategic, big-government, deep-state, secularist takeover of the country, and sort of a purging of anyone on the right.

And I think it’s hard to overstate the threat of that particular conspiracy theory to these individuals, and also to overstate just how many of these individuals no longer perceive the U.S. as — if they ever did in some cases — as some sort of pluralistic shining city on a hill, but rather as an ethno state under siege.

And I remember sitting with Nikki Haley in the weeks after Donald Trump had lost the election and pressing her on the president’s statements repeatedly, and asking her, isn’t this dangerous? Aren’t people going to get hurt? Aren’t people going to get killed? Because this is not just some internet troll. This is the President of the United States. These are governors. These are U.S. senators telling people that this election has been stolen from them, that everything as they have known it is no longer legitimate.

And I think what we saw on January 6 was not even remotely the worst-case scenario. I do think that had members of the Capitol Police opened fire, as frankly, I think many authorities on the subject believe that they were well within their right to do, then we could have seen something of an even bloodier aftermath that we might still be spiraling from.

In other words, I think there is an inclination for many of us to view January 6 as the culmination of this thing that had been building for such a long time when in fact, I’m personally more inclined to view it as really the spark of something new, that in fact, this is just the beginning, and that it will be continually building towards something much worse.

So I don’t disagree with that. I do see the whole Stop the Steal, January 6 thing as sort of the beginning of a shift in American politics. But I don’t necessarily see it strictly in terms of more political violence. I think — my view — and I kind of alluded to this before — my view of this is very heavily influenced by the ways that violence and ordinary politics and constitutional politics interacted with each other in the 1870s and the 1880s, that these things existed on a continuum with each other. They were various tactics to an overall, larger strategy.

And I think that’s the way we should understand January 6 and whatever might follow, that these are all a set of tactics to secure enduring control, by this right-wing fringe, this MAGA fringe, over American political institutions. And to my mind, what January 6 reveals is less about the violence part of it and more that there are actual mechanisms within the system that one can leverage to secure minority control, to consolidate minority rule and should you do it, and that January 6 reveals the possibilities of that.

The attempt to storm the Capitol failed. But the attempt to subvert the electoral college, although it also failed, it did reveal important things about the weakness of the entire system and you capture a state house or you hold a state house. And then you systematically make it impossible for your opponents to dislodge you through normal means.

And so for me — and I’ve written about this — the danger lies less in an attempt to storm the Capitol again, which I’m not sure it’s going to happen, even on a state level, and more in an attempt to capture those institutional positions through something that looks like normal and ordinary politics, and then use that power to then consolidate one’s control, right?

What’s interesting, though, is that for all of our talk in this conversation about the political legitimizing of what would once have been considered fringe ideologies, is that taking it outside of the political arena is where I’ve probably been the most troubled. I did a great deal of reporting over the last year and a half on sort of the turmoil in the white evangelical church in America.

And this is another instance, Jane, and I can’t underscore this one enough because I’ve spent a lot of time talking with leading religious figures, scholars, academics, people who know this world inside and out. And they have all agreed with me on this point. I’ve sort of been hoping that somebody would disagree with the point that there was once a time in this country, not very long ago at all, where yes, you had ideologically far right-wing churches that would traffic in overt racism, or if not overt racism, then certainly some of the more veiled arguments around states’ rights or whatever it may be.

But there would not have been any sort of legitimizing or mainstream recognition of a church wherein hundreds of members, on a weekly basis, while passing the offering plates, were carrying loaded weapons. That was not a thing. It would have been the fever dream of an Indeed documentary filmmaker.

And so what feels somewhat different about the moment to me, is not just that there is this sort of religious fervor, but that it is a violent religious fervor. And it certainly feels as though you have a moment in American life right now where you have more and more people than at any time in recent memory who are addicted to both guns and to grievance.

And when you incorporate some of the religious fervor into that, and again, some of the doomsday prophesying about that imminent day when the government is coming for you, and you had better be ready, all of it, in combination, is, to me, what feels uniquely dangerous about this moment.

After the break, we have to talk about Trump. I know. But before that, a request for the youths. If you’re a Gen Z voter born after 1996, I’d like to hear from you, especially if this is your first time voting in an election. Leave me a voicemail with your name, where you live and why you’re voting in the midterms this year. The show number is 347-915-4324. Leave me your number too. I might call you back. I know, phone calls.

So we were just talking about religion and I’d argue it’s not just the religiosity. It’s the religiosity surrounding a specific person, which I’ll never move on. I will never move on from the fact that this is all about Donald Trump, like this it’s all about the guy from “Home Alone 2” because I don’t think Trump really cares about a civil war. I think he cares a lot about making money and ideally, not going to prison.

And at a certain point, a civil war or increased conflict, it will require that type of violent religiosity. But it also will require that from a very large number of people across a very wide spectrum. And thinking about trying to put this in some context, where does Trump play into this? Because I think it doesn’t seem like it could happen with somebody who wasn’t him. There aren’t people like, I will die for Ron DeSantis, not yet.

I mean, I think with Trump and his audience, his crowd, the supporters, I think what we’re kind of witnessing is like a dialectical process, sort of like the — there are pre existing in the electorate, anxieties, fears, anger, resentment, rage, about changing cultural and demographic facts about the country. It’s not just that the country is becoming less white, though that’s a part of it. But it’s also that the country is becoming less explicitly Christian, less explicitly deferential to Christian belief. It’s becoming more open and tolerant of different sexualities, different gender identities, different religions.

And so you have real — many negative feelings about that. And Trump, as a candidate, both appeals to that, but also reflects that stuff back on to the audience and allows an audience to invest him with their hopes about beating this back. And then this creates this cult of personality around Trump, or at least around what Trump appears to represent.

I think that’s sort of what’s happening with Trump. I’ve been thinking, through this conversation, about — this is ostensibly about the prospect of civil war or what not. And I’ve been thinking about what — trying to crystallize exactly my disagreement with the civil-war framing. What I think my exact disagreement is, and this connects to Trump and connects to his relationship to his supporters, is that I think that when we’re envisioning what is the most catastrophic thing that can happen in the United States, we’re envisioning the end of American democracy if there are some sort of conflict. We’re envisioning authoritarianism. We’re envisioning all these terrible things.

And we assume — I think there’s a common assumption that if it happens, it’s going to be a thing that — from outside the system, imposing onto it, or something that erupts from within the system that tears it apart and then creates this new status quo. And I think my view is that the system itself facilitates all this stuff, right, that it’s not actually coming from outside the system. It’s not a break from within the system. It actually represents aspects of the system asserting themselves in ways that they haven’t before.

The Constitution creates a system of — an interlocking system of counter-majoritarian institutions that are explicitly designed to tamp down on popular government. And so because that is so incongruous with our sense of what the American political system is, I think we imagine it or we perceive it or we feel it to be like an assault on the Constitution, an assault on the system.

But I think it’s probably better to understand it as the — to use the word dialectical again, as the counter majoritarian part of the American political system coming into direct conflict with the Democratic assumptions of the American people. And in the absence of any kind of countervailing force to change the system, what we get is something much less Democratic than what we had before.

Tim, what do you think?

Well, there’s a lot to the point that Jamelle is making. And I want to get specifically to what he said near the end there. But before I do, I want to tie it back to something that he’d said earlier about Trump. Part of the Trump phenomenon, at least through my eyes, has been and continues to be, the degree to which your average, on-fire Trump supporter, somebody who really defends him, somebody who defends their vote for him, the degree to which those individuals perceive an attack on Trump as an attack on them.

An attack on Trump’s character is therefore an attack on their character because they voted for him in the first place. I think what that relationship between so many of these people and Trump has essentially distilled down into now, is what continues to breathe life into Trump, and part of what I do worry about in the wake of the August 8 Mar-a-Lago episode, is this martyrdom complex that is so unique.

In the days after the 2020 election and leading up to January 6, of course, you had the Arizona State Republican Party, tweeting out, endorsing martyrdom, like literal martyrdom. You had Eric Metaxas, a very prominent and very influential voice in the evangelical world talking to Trump on his radio show about the court challenges and saying, I’m willing to die in this fight, God is with us, God is on our side.

It’s so tempting, I think, to want to sweep these things to the fringe, to the periphery of our politics and say, well, sure, you’re always going to have some nutcase muttering to himself here or there. But in fact, this martyrdom complex became, in many ways, central to the psychology of the Trump voter, that he was being righteously persecuted on their behalf.

I think what’s so interesting is that you joked, Jane, about nobody’s willing to die for Ron DeSantis yet, right? But the meaningful difference to me, between Trump and DeSantis, is that DeSantis has already shown an ability to wield the administrative state against his enemies. And this gets to Jamelle’s point about the system itself.

And to me, as unique as the threat has been and continues to be with Donald Trump in the picture, I’m not sure that another Republican could not, at some point, attempt to wield the administrative state and exploit some of the loopholes in our system in a way that could be contributing to a far-greater threat of civil violence at a mass scale, whether we want to call it Civil War or not.

So that’s just the way I view Trump is like, yes, this has been a threat. Yes, he is the dominant figure in all of this. And yet, as we look forward, I’m not at all convinced that he represents the ultimate threat.

Yeah, I think that what you see now, from DeSantis and from those who wish to be like him, is this idea of, well, the problem was that Trump didn’t go far enough. They are justifying the wielding of the administrative state against their enemies, even if it won’t hold up in court. There are people who should know better who would think of themselves as being conservatives, small-C conservatives, who are applauding that use of force because the threat is too great, that we’re in a war.

There’s a trans kid out there somewhere. Thus I am justified to use the state against them and to threaten them with Child Protective Services. But so much of this seems to be coming from people who are wielding Trump for either reasons of economics or reasons of just wanting to have power. The economics are on the side of extremism.

But when we started talking about civil-war rhetoric, a way that I get frustrated — and admittedly, Tim, I was a little frustrated with your piece because it can feel like catering to the hostage taker. Like, I read your argument in The Atlantic. And I thought it was well-reasoned. But part of my takeaway seemed to be that we shouldn’t, perhaps, pursue justice or — and just at a baseline level — this person may have committed a crime. And we shouldn’t prosecute that crime because it could provoke the people who believe a conspiracy about our democracy.

If Donald Trump did what the Department of Justice appears to, as far as we know, think that he did, which seems to be the answer is yes, yes he did, and then he will continue to talk about it in interviews, what is the action that you want the country, the government, the Department of Justice to take instead? Because using the rhetoric of a foreboding civil war feels like it’s asking me to cater to the hostage takers who want to foment a civil war because we’re afraid of what they might do.

That’s completely fair. And I want to be clear, and I tried to be in the article, although based on some reader feedback and on your feedback right now, I probably wasn’t clear enough. I stated in the piece that I believe Trump has committed crimes and should be prosecuted because no one is above the law.

I think what I wanted to express in the piece is just a warning to what I perceive to be a rather-complacent America that is somewhat blissfully detached from the reality of these threats. I think there’s a real danger here. And at the end of the day, I don’t know that it’s at all avoidable. And I certainly don’t think it’s avoidable by, as you say, Jane, catering to the bad actors, the criminals.

We have a system. We have laws and they need to be enforced. But I think — I’ve got a piece coming in the next issue of The Atlantic, where I talk with an individual who’s one of the long-time leading authorities on an election administration in the country. He’s a non partisan, somebody who for decades and decades has been held up as the guy. And he was brought out of retirement in 2020 to run the election-day operations in the city of Detroit. And so he had a front-row seat for what was perhaps the ugliest, single most chaotic election-day activity in the entire country, back in 2020.

And despite everything he saw, people signing affidavits claiming they saw things that they didn’t see, ugly, horrible, racist rhetoric, despite seeing all of this and this brazen attempt by Republican elected officials on the ground to try and overturn an election that was decided by 154,000 votes, despite seeing all of that, he tells me that, you know what? I think this is going to be all right. I really do. I think this is going to be fine and here’s why.

And I said to him at some point, I said, you’re just like us. You’re just like the rest of us who just — we all want to tell ourselves a story that we’ve been through tough times before and this is just another case where we’re going to have to buckle up. And we’ll survive it because that’s what we do. And whether or not that’s true, it just feels disingenuous to pretend like there is not something unique about this threat.

And at the risk of going along with my answer, I’ll just add, Jane, that — you mentioned gun shows earlier. For over a decade, I’ve gone to gun shows just as a matter of routine. And I will say, even during the height of the Obama-era hysteria, not just about the birtherism and all that stuff, but like he’s going to come take our guns, particularly after Sandy Hook and you’re seeing gun sales through the roof, the thing that I saw then was very narrow in terms of its purpose.

The people who were coming, they’re stocking up on guns and ammo because, well, the big, bad government is going to put us on registries. And ultimately they’re going to come and try to confiscate our weapons. When I go to gun shows today, you talk to people there, and the rhetoric and the purpose of them being there is completely different. It almost entirely, in so many conversations, revolves around these notions of an imminent mass conflict and that they need to be ready for it.

And by the way, it’s not just MAGA-loving Trump supporters who are there, loading up on AR-15s. I have been consistently stunned at the number of individuals who will very quietly whisper to you that they are Democrats. And these are Asian Americans. These are Black Americans. These are Hispanics. These are women, suburban moms. And they are buying guns because they believe that something is about to go down.

And I just I can’t really quantify what a sea change that feels like, at least to me. And so I guess when I write a piece like the one that you are registering some frustration with — and I don’t blame you for a minute for registering that frustration — I guess what I’m really trying to do is say, listen, yes, prosecute him. Yes, treat him like anybody else. Yes, this is what we ought to do. Just be forewarned that this is all probably heading in a very dark and dangerous direction. And we all should just be prepared for it.

Jamelle, if these issues are structural, which is something you’ve pointed out, but the threats are moving faster than the structures can change, or even that it seems like it’ll take, at this rate, like 30 years for someone to admit that we have a problem, what do we do? Should there be more speeches, more people talking about it? To me, that just seems almost useless when you have the — any effort to call attention to this becomes spin that says that you’re trying to make it happen. So I know that you are not actually in charge of everything. But Jamelle, what do we do?

Great question. And I have no idea. I mean, the only actors on this stage who have the agency to do something are Republican politicians, at this point. They are the ones who have the ability to keep these things from spiraling out of control. The problem is that doing so would probably doom them in the next election cycles, right?

And on the one hand, you don’t want to say, well, obviously if they’re not going to do that, well, they’re making a choice not to do it. They’re making a choice not to exercise their agency in this particular way. And that’s important. I think that has moral weight.

But thinking practically, like, yeah, of course they’re not. People who want to win office are not going to do things that would cause them to lose office. And so if you grant that, it’s hard for me to think of what to do in the immediate term to marginalize this political movement, to weaken it. Tim has said that he supports holding Trump to account legally, and that just everyone should be aware that this could spark some pretty ugly stuff.

I don’t think that’s wrong. But I do think there’s another possibility. And this kind of gets to one of my — my grand narrative of the Trump era, which is, I think the Trump era, and the political-systems relationship to Trump, has generally been one of avoidance. At critical stages, critical actors essentially said, this guy isn’t going to last. He’s not going to win. He’s not going to succeed. So we can kind of let the system deal with him. We don’t have to actually do anything.

So during the Republican primary, it was very clear that Republican elites were like, we’re just going to worry about who’s going to win after Trump inevitably collapses. And there was very clearly no plan for what might happen if that didn’t occur, if Trump actually was a viable candidate. By the time he wins the nomination, and you have another opportunity to stop him by Republican elites publicly saying, we’re just not going to support this guy, but of course, by then, it’s like, we want to win office. And we want to shape policy. We want to do these things. So of course, we’re going to support him.

And you see this pattern happen again and again and again, that there are actors who can do something to push back on him and push back on his movement. And they don’t because they think that this will happen of its own accord. But when there has been push back, what we see is he loses support. And I kind of think that there’s one possibility in terms of what do we do.

One possibility in terms of really treating Trump like any other citizen under the law, is that if he does get entangled in a criminal investigation, if he does have to face those kind of consequences, then instead of energizing his strongest supporters, it might actually peel people off. I think Trump really benefits from an illusion of dominance. But if, in a confrontation, he essentially backs down, I think that does harm him.

At the same time that we recognize the danger of a cult of personality around this guy, we should also remember this cult of personality may not be as tightly-wound and tightly tied as it appears to be because we’re not sure how it’s going to react when subjected to real, serious pressure beyond just losing an election.

Thank you guys so much for being here.

Oh, thank you for having us.

Yeah, this was great. Thank you.

Jamelle Bouie is a columnist for The New York Times Opinion. Tim Alberta is a staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, and the author of the book, “American Carnage: On the Frontlines of the Republican Civil War and the rise of President Trump.” Now look, I know, I’m a weirdo. I love documentaries. I love documentaries about the Civil War. I love Ken Burns’s documentary about the Civil War called, “The Civil War.” So I’m going to recommend that too you again.

I also want to recommend the American Experience documentary, “Oklahoma City,” about everything that led to the domestic terrorism event that was the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. And I want to recommend the book, “Bring the War Home,” by Kathleen Belew, about the rise of white power movements and militia movements in the ‘70s, ‘89s and 1990s.

“The Argument” is the production of New York Times Opinion. It’s produced by Phoebe Lett, Vishakha Darbha and Derek Arthur; edited by Alison Bruzek and Anabel Bacon, with original music by Isaac Jones and Pat McCusker. Mixing by Pat McCusker. Fact checking by Kate Sinclair, Michelle Harris and Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Shannon Busta, with editorial support from Kristina Samulewski.

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America is divided and battling many different internal “wars” — over politics, culture, language, religion. Is it possible all this internal division could culminate in a civil war? Today’s episode of “The Argument” brings together Jamelle Bouie and Tim Alberta to assess. Bouie is a Times Opinion columnist and historian of America’s Civil War. Alberta is a staff writer at The Atlantic and made the case that the F.B.I. Mar-a-Lago search is the tipping point for political violence that could put our democracy at stake.

Their conversation with host Jane Coaston follows:

[You can listen to this episode of “The Argument” on Apple , Spotify , Amazon Music , or Google or wherever you get your podcasts .]

Jane Coaston: Tim, before we get into the specifics about what you were talking about in your piece , when you say civil war, what do you mean?

Tim Alberta: I think we probably start with what civil war is not in this context. We’re not talking about armies of red and blue fighting another Battle of Antietam. We’re not talking about the forces of Charlie Kirk clashing in the streets with the forces of Keith Olbermann, or pick your figurehead. We’re not talking something anywhere near I think the scale or anywhere resembling the organization of what we saw in the mid-19th century.

What we are discussing is some significant scale of semiorganized, lethal, civil conflict that is organized around not just political and ideological disputes but perceived threats to economies, livelihoods.

And I don’t know that we would recognize it in the U.S. But it would follow something of a pattern that I think we’ve seen in other parts of the world, where you have some sort of sectarian violence — not necessarily confined to anything resembling symmetrical warfare between citizens — but also local governments, regional governments clashing with federal government or even, perhaps, at the local level, sheriffs refusing to enforce state laws. And potential outgrowth of violence from there that could reach a scale that we haven’t seen in a very long time in this country.

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