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How to Write an Argumentative Synthesis Essay Outline: Examples and Topics

How to Write an Argumentative Synthesis Essay Outline: Examples and Topics

Published by on 2021-04-08 10:53:26

When you want to write a high-quality paper, a proper outline is always a substantial starting point to proceed from. A thought-out, correctly done outline will then serve you as a writing plan. A plan that guarantees the coherence of the thoughts and proofs included in your future essay. When writing a synthesis paper, there are certain features you definitely should keep, such as in-depth topic analysis, knowledge of suitable literature sources, and more.

So, it is always better to know a lot about writing an argument synthesis outline far before you start crafting that A+ paper. Below, you’ll find all the definitions and examples able to help you craft a worthy synthesis essay outline. Let’s secure your top grades!

How to Write Synthesis Essay: Know What It Is

The understanding of how to write an argumentative synthesis essay starts with the basic definition of this paper. When trying to avoid overcomplicating things, one would be right to say that a synthesis essay is about a student reflecting on pieces of info they got from different sources. To say even simpler, they provide a discussion with the mentioned sources through this type of writing assignment.

In many ways, this paper is similar to a regular argumentative essay, though the discussion part is much more expressed here. In most cases, it is okay when an author chooses the thought or idea to share and then provides particular sources to back up their concept.

How to Choose Good Topics for a Synthesis Essay?

Everyone knows that beginning is the hardest part of any job. And choosing the topic is the first step to getting an A on your synthesis essay. If you are having trouble with this task, use our simple guide to select the best topic for your assignment.

Before going over the list of synthesis essay topics, consider your assignment carefully. Reread the prompt provided by the instructor and make sure you understand the requirements. Several aspects will influence your choice:

  • The subject. Writing about Romeo and Juliet for a Science class might be original, but it won’t win you extra points with the teacher. Make sure your paper is related to the topics you have studied in class.
  • The word count. You won’t be able to cover all aspects of the problem in a five-paragraph global warming synthesis essay. However, you can try to squeeze the challenges marine ecosystems face due to the bleaching of coral reefs. Always keep your assignment volume in mind when choosing the focus of your writing.
  • The availability of credible sources. When all answers are one Google search away, you can conduct a quick scan of references on any topic in under two minutes. Skim the books, articles and other resources available online or in your school’s library catalog. If you want your essay to stand out, choose the topic that is surrounded by contradictions and conflict.

Which Synthesis Essay Topics Are the Best?

Now that you know how your assignment prompt can influence your choice, it’s time to get to the specific characteristics of good topics for a synthesis essay. In short, your paper’s focus should be:

Relevant

Besides keeping in line with your course syllabus, the center of your study should be exciting for you and your readers. Therefore, your topic should be trendy, something everyone is discussing right now. To get inspiration, try reading or watching the news. The issues that invoke the strongest emotions in you, either positive or negative, are bound to make a good starting point for a synthesis essay.

  • Can bitcoin substitute the US dollar?
  • Is 3D printing of human organs ethical?
  • What are the possible consequences of a nuclear war with North Korea?

Original

Students have written dozens of essays about abortion, gun control, and social media. Your professor won’t appreciate having to grade the hundredth paper on the same explanatory synthesis essay topics. Even if you are dead set on a global warming synthesis essay, try thinking outside the box and finding new angles to research the same problem. Brainstorm ideas, and you will get intriguing insights that might serve as an excellent focus for your synthesis essay:

  • Do electric cars cause more pollution than traditional vehicles?
  • Is the extinction of species a form of natural selection?
  • When will the change of climate reach the critical point?

Specific

Don’t choose the topics too broad to cover within the assigned word count. Think of your obesity synthesis essay as a stand-alone movie, not the first part of a trilogy. You need to address all main aspects of the problem in a single piece of writing. If you leave out key arguments, the professor will ruthlessly take points off your grade to teach you to choose the topic better. The shorter the essay, the more specific your paper's subject should be. Here are a few examples for obesity synthesis essay topics, from the longest to the shortest:

  • Is obesity a psychological issue rather than a physiological one?
  • Can psychologists successfully treat obesity?
  • Should hypnosis be used to treat obesity?

Synthesis Essay Topics to Choose From

If you still can't decide, use our exclusive list of self-explanatory synthesis essay topics. You can choose one of them and alter it to suit your assignment parameters. And don’t forget to show it to your instructor before you start writing to make sure you’ve made the right choice.

General Synthesis Essay Ideas

  1. Patriotism Is Destroyed by Racial Profiling among Law Enforcement Officers.
  2. War and Conflict Is an Integral World of Our Civilization.
  3. Community Service Is the Only Way to Grow Social Responsibility.
  4. Abortion Is the Woman’s Personal Decision and Should not Be Addressed as a Social Issue.
  5. The Ineffectiveness of the Death Penalty to Lower Violent Crime Rates.
  6. Technology’s Influence on Human Intelligence and Physical Capabilities.
  7. Money Wasted on Space Exploration Should Be Spent on Eradicating Famine.
  8. The Masks Every Person Wears in Different Social Settings.
  9. Human Rights Undermine Order in a Democratic Society.
  10. Gun Control Should Be Eliminated to Solve the Mass Shootings Problem.
  11. Education Should Be Voluntary and Free for Everybody.
  12. Patent Wars Increase Prices and Slow Technological Progress.
  13. The Internet Is the Most Significant Invention in the History of Humankind.
  14. Social Media Should Be Banned for Children under the Age of Sixteen.
  15. Typing Instead of Writing Inhibits Child Development.
  16. All Students Should Study Psychology to Improve Social Skills.
  17. Virtual Reality Will Destroy the Travel Industry.
  18. Smartphone Addiction Is Worse than Alcoholism.
  19. Speed Texting Should Be an Official Sport.
  20. Governments Should not Waste Money on Sending Teams to the Olympics.

Best Ideas for Synthesis Essay Writing

In the end, we have gathered the best titles for a synthesis paper. If you're a college student who couldn't find a good one among the topics specified in the post above, you can scroll down below and explore the selection of the best ideas. You're free to update them according to your interests or particular requirements.

  1. Why Do People Give Up Reading Books and Newspapers in the Digital Era?
  2. Are There Reliable Ways to Stay Protected From Natural Disasters?
  3. Can Time Management and Proper Motivation Change the Lives of People?
  4. Should We Consider Excessive Noise and Light as Pollution?
  5. What Are the Primary Benefits of Sports in People?
  6. Is Honesty the Primary Personal Trait of an Admirable Person?
  7. What Are the Benefits of Team-Working?
  8. Should Authorities Control the Population on the Planet?
  9. Is the American Dream Feasible These Days?
  10. The Effect of Sanctions on Dictators?
  11. What Makes Video Games so Addictive For Students?
  12. Can Distraction Improve the Productivity of Workers?
  13. Should Police Have Remote Access to All the Devices of People?
  14. Can Social Media Help Fight Loneliness?
  15. What Would the Homes of the Future Be Like?

Argumentative Synthesis Topics

Many students got used to the fact that teachers assign topics for them, so they experience a lot of issues, trying to come up with an interesting argumentative essay title. In case you also don't know how to create a debatable title, feel free to choose one from the list below. Remember, an argumentative synthesis essay topic needs you to write a paper backed up with strong evidence from credible sources. Consequently, you will need to research ruthlessly to create a top-grade article or get professional help writing an argumentative essay.

  1. Should Learners Have the Right to Score Their Teachers and Vote for Changing Them?
  2. Is It Ethical to Force College Learners to Pass Drug Tests Regularly?
  3. Can We Trust Reviews Published on the Internet?
  4. Do Mobile Apps Waste More of Our Time or Help Improve Productivity?
  5. Should Students Choose if They Want to Study Art in School?
  6. Is It Possible For People to Keep the Fast Pace of Development Without the Internet?
  7. Do Technologies That Simplify Our Lives Make People Too Idle and Apathetic?
  8. Should the Healthcare System Be Free for Everyone?
  9. What Are the Main Benefits of Colonialism for Developing Countries?
  10. Should Employers Pay Close Attention to the Grades of Their Applicants?

Now you know how to tell good topics for a synthesis essay from bad ones. We hope you have found a couple of exciting ideas for your assignment here. You also can check out our useful checklist on how to write a synthesis essay to help you get the highest grade.

Three Reasons to Have a Synthesis Essay Outline

Once you have selected a relevant topic for your argumentative synthesis essay, you are ready to proceed to the next stage. Working on the outline is your key to the successful completion of the assignment and getting the best grade for the final draft of your assignment. Here are three points you achieve after generating a well-made outline:

  • The visible thesis statement and a hook to get the reader’s attention;
  • revealed milestones to build body paragraphs in details;
  • the conclusion you know beforehand to tie everything up correctly.

The importance of an outline is difficult to overestimate due to its ability to help a student in setting up a logically connected chain between a thesis statement, arguments, and a conclusion. When there is no such reference, a high chance appears for a reader to be confused with the misconnections in the essay.

How to Structure a Synthesis Essay

Before we proceed with the explanation of how to write a synthesis essay example plan, it is good to pay attention to the structure of such papers. As it is an essay, its key elements are pretty common and well-known for all students who wrote an assignment at least once. Those are:

  • Intro
  • Body paragraphs
  • Conclusion

What is a synthesis in an essay? Here below, you will find a detailed look at every synthesis paper’s structure element mentioned above, as well as the answer to that question.

Writing a Synthesis Paper: Introduction

Every student knows that the intro is probably the most important part in terms of attracting a reader and involving them in the topic properly. What does an introduction require to contain to complete its mission well?

A high-quality beginning always includes an “attention grabber”: a certain hook to intrigue and interest the audience. It’s like writing a theater play or a movie scenery: a screenwriter needs to catch the viewer with an interesting twist. After the reader is hooked, it is clever to show up the milestones shortly and to come up with your thesis statement then. The very best intro paragraph reveals as much information as it is required to leave a reader no choice but to go on with reading.

How to Write a Synthesis Essay Thesis?

Frequently, students don’t know how to write a thesis for a synthesis essay. A worthy thesis statement expresses the student’s position clearly and makes it protectable. The sources and analyses provided further in the body serve as the main support for that viewpoint.

How to Write a Synthesis Paragraph: Explained

What is a synthesis paragraph? When there are five paragraphs in a standard essay, three of those must compose the body. In case a professor wants you to come up with wordier papers, they actually expect you to expand the body with additional paragraphs. What should that standard body part contain? Here are three components:

  • The main point, which is the first step in writing a synthesis paragraph, is its key argument.
  • Evidence, which is the middle part of a body paragraph here, shows how the point supports the paper’s thesis statement.
  • Analysis, which is the last step in writing a synthesis paragraph, completes the logical connection between the general level of the topic and the partial level of an argument.

How to Conclude a Synthesis Essay

As it was mentioned above already, the concluding point should tie all the elements of the text in the final paragraph to make the contents work together and support the thesis. It would be best for students to remember that the concluding part is not for repetition but the summary. Try to show how the info provided in the body lets the essay serve its purpose.

Synthesis Essay Template and Outline Example

Let’s suppose that a professor asked a student to come up with a paper on democracy. A synthesis outline should follow the template below:

1. Introduction

  • Hook (mention the overall state of democracy around the world)
  • The main points (democracy is about political equality, public safety, and personal freedom)
  • Thesis Statement (democracy is the best form of government)

2. Body Part 1

  • The main point (political equality)
  • Evidence (“On Democracy” by Richard Kimber)
  • Analysis (equal access to power for every citizen through elections)

3. Body Part 2

  • The main point (public safety)
  • Evidence (William Bratton: public safety is the prime obligation of a democratic government)
  • Analysis (truly democratic societies are tolerant for political and personal pluralism)

4. Body Part 3

  • The main point (personal freedom)
  • Evidence (The United States Bill of Rights)
  • Analysis (personal freedom is the cornerstone of any democratic country)

5. Conclusion

  • Reiterate main points (main features of democracy)
  • Repeat thesis statement (democracy is the most advanced form of government)

With this detailed plan, it will be much simpler for a student to complete an excellent synthesis essay on democracy. If they don’t spend time to come up with those milestones, it will take them much more time to compose the contents, at least. And, most probably, the paper won’t be working as a single “mechanism”.

Argumentative Synthesis Essay Outline Checklist

Do you want to ensure your synthesis essay gets an A? It's your lucky day! We know all the key points your professor will evaluate when grading your paper. With this insider knowledge, you will easily tweak your essay to become picture-perfect. Go through our checklist one step at a time, and by the end, your essay will earn you an A.

Did You Actually Write a Synthesis Essay?

Many students don't see any difference between argumentative and synthesis essays. And while both types of papers require you to prove your point by providing convincing arguments, a synthesis essay relies on credible sources to provide necessary backup for your key points.

At the same time, an essay can’t be made up exclusively from quotes and summaries of the sources you have selected. You should analyze the source information and formulate your own opinion on the matter. Your paper will hardly get an A if it consists of several disjointed paragraphs without any personal input on your part.

Did You Understand the Prompt Correctly?

If your professor wants you to choose the topic for a synthesis essay on your own, you can skip this step. However, select the topic carefully. It should be highly controversial, subject to fierce social debate. Such topics provide you with an opportunity to take a firm stand and support it with evidence.

If, on the other hand, you are given a full prompt for a synthesis essay, read it carefully and underline the keywords to make sure you understand what is required of you. Usually, the professor will need you to evaluate a problem, analyze its complexity or provide a viable recommendation, a solution to a problem. Formulate your understanding of the task to your instructor and ask if you have understood it correctly.

Did You Select Credible Sources?

The professor will expect you to cite at least three sources to support your position; however, the number of required references can vary depending on the subject and the assignment. Avoid picking the sources at random, choose the latest books and articles written by experts that provide solid data and evidence.

Reading the sources, note the passages you are going to quote, paraphrase or summarize. The time spent on research will help you formulate your position and provide you with a rough outline. Afterwards, you will only need to flesh out the passages and provide analysis for every point.

Did You Formulate a Strong Thesis Statement?

A strong thesis statement is the first thing your professor will notice in your paper. Essentially, it should include your position on the chosen topic, outline main arguments and hint at counter arguments for alternative positions. If you are not sure how to cram so much information into a single statement, use our guide to formulate a good thesis.

Did You Structure Your Essay Correctly?

By now, you should know everything about the three main parts every essay consists of. However, it is also extremely important to carefully plan the main body paragraphs to ensure they have a strong impact. Instead of structuring your essay by source, try creating an outline based on your key arguments or suggestions. Two of the most convincing arguments should be placed first and last. Every paragraph should include one topic sentence, source introduction, and usage, as well as your analysis of the source data. Don't forget to include transitions within each passage and between paragraphs to make your writing flow effortlessly from one point to another.

Did You Address Opposing Viewpoints?

Mentioning alternative positions might seem counterproductive. However, one of the main rules of a convincing argument is addressing and refuting opposing statements. This trick will make your paper more convincing, especially if you support your refutation with hard evidence gleaned from credible and trustworthy sources. Address alternative viewpoints before you write a conclusion, and your professors will show their appreciation for your writing talent.

Did You Save Time on Proofreading and Editing?

Nothing is more disappointing than not getting an A, just because you have missed a couple of typos or misplaced several commas. So before you happily submit the finished paper to your professor, take a breather and get back to the document in a day or two to carefully edit and proofread it.

First, make sure all arguments are logical and convincing after you have had a full night’s sleep. When you are satisfied with the content, it's time to go through the paper with a fine-toothed comb and catch all mistakes. If the task seems impossible to you, we will gladly provide proofreading and editing assistance. Our professionals will improve your writing and enhance grammar, style, and spelling beyond your imagination.

After you go through every step of this checklist and improve your synthesis essay accordingly, there is no chance you will not get that A you need so much!

Dos and Don'ts of Synthesis Essay Writing

Do you want to create a top-grade essay but have a lack of writing skills? Note the dos and don'ts that will help you eliminate the most widespread mistakes and make your writing match the highest standards. For starters, you need to make sure that the reviewed issue is the central point of your paper. Your arguments and evidence should match the topic and be focused on the reviewed issues only. Also, you need to combine the information from different sources, analyze it, and present your outcomes. At the same time, you shouldn't summarize the information provided in the sources that you used. It's not recommended to lose the focus of your claim to keep readers engaged. Nevertheless, if you don't want to hassle with this, consider getting help from skilled writers online. They will create the top-grade paper for you and deliver it on time.

Summing Up: How to Write Synthesis Essay Texts Well?

Coming up with a worthy paper of that type begins with defining the topic of a synthesis essay and a position you would like to defend. Then, try to find arguments supporting your viewpoint in trustworthy sources (newspapers, magazines, citations by well-known topical experts, etc.). In conclusion, restate your main proven information points, and mention the supported thesis once more.