WRITING A
SYNTHESIS ESSAY
RESPONSE
STEP 1: PREVIEW AND
PREDICT
• Read the introduction and assignment.
• Based on the introduction and
assignment, identify:
• the topic
• the universal idea
• your initial position
STEP 2: READ AND ANNOTATE
• Read each document as if it is a voice
speaking on the topic
• Mark whether the voice behind the
document is for (+) or against (-) the issue at
hand
• Mark in the text any particularly obvious
sentences, words, phrases that indicate the
position
STEP 3: WRITE THE THESIS
• Based on the documents, determine your
position on the issue
This is a crucial step! An unclear position
means an unclear argument.
• The synthesis thesis is similar to the
argument thesis and composed of these
parts:
• qualifier (subordinate clause)
• topic
• causal verb
• universal idea
• directions (reasons/evidence from the
documents)
Model Synthesis Thesis
Although a standardized curriculum may
seem to be the answer to the current
educational problems in America, such a
curriculum undermines a student’s
education because it relies on an elitist
cannon, could exclude multicultural
literature, and diminishes a teacher’s
instructional choices.
STEP 4: PLAN THE ESSAY
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Thesis
Concession/Refutation
Second Strongest Point
Weakest Point
Strongest Point
Conclusion
STEP 5: WRITE THE ESSAY—
TOPIC SENTENCES
CONCESSION/REFUTATION TOPIC SENTENCE
Developing a standardized curriculum may seem to
effectively streamline the English education process.
BODY TOPIC SENTENCE
A curriculum in which all English students read the
same texts from the cannon diminishes their English
education because the cannon represents the text
choices of “gatekeepers,” literary critics, and others
who may offer only a narrow view of what quality
literature is.