Synthesis Essay Writing Techniques

The video tutorial explains how to write a synthesis essay, an argumentative piece that combines ideas from multiple sources to support a thesis. It outlines three main steps: analyzing sources, forming a new thesis, and synthesizing information to support the thesis. The tutorial provides detailed guidance on selecting and analyzing sources, creating a thesis, and structuring the essay. It uses examples from Shakespeare's sonnets to illustrate the process, emphasizing the importance of focusing on main ideas and maintaining a clear structure throughout the essay.

What is the primary purpose of a synthesis essay?

• To narrate a personal story

• To summarize a single source

• To argue a point using multiple sources

• To describe a historical event

Which of the following best describes a synthesis essay?

• An expository essay

• A narrative essay

• A descriptive essay

• An argumentative essay

What is the first step in writing a synthesis essay?

• Drafting the introduction

• Analyzing sources

• Forming a thesis

• Writing the conclusion

In the analysis step, what should you focus on identifying in your sources?

• Publication date

• Main and supporting ideas

• The author's background

• Number of pages

How many main sources should you ideally choose for synthesis?

• Five

• Two or three

• One

• As many as possible

What is the second step in writing a synthesis essay?

• Analyzing sources

• Drafting the body paragraphs

• Forming a new thesis

• Writing the introduction

What should the new thesis be based on?

• Main ideas

• Supporting ideas

• Author's biography

• Publication year

In Shakespeare's sonnets, what is the common theme identified?

• Love and betrayal

• Friendship and loyalty

• War with time

• Nature's beauty

What is the final step in writing a synthesis essay?

• Writing the essay using ideas from sources

• Analyzing the sources

• Choosing the sources

• Forming a thesis

What should each body paragraph in a synthesis essay begin with?

• A statistic

• A quote

• A lead sentence

• A question