Argumentative Synthesis Essay: How to Write

Writing never stops in life, especially when in school. And no matter what you are writing, the rules and basics are pretty similar, whether writing simple short essays or complicated research papers. Similarly, it is not different for an argumentative synthesis essay.

However, each writing piece has its characteristic signature, purpose, and rules. This also reflects in argumentative synthesis essays. Therefore, it is crucial to know what this essay type is, how to write it, and even how to start one if you are to become a master in it.

Here is a detailed look at this essay.

What Is an Argumentative Synthesis Essay

An argumentative synthesis essay is a form of writing that combines facts and opinions from different sources to form a standpoint or conclusion. A writer researches from vast sources to gather different thoughts about the subject. They then combine and argue every fact and develop a unique idea defendable through the sources.

Each paragraph presents opposing sides of the same issue, which means that the writer must use evidence from both sides to support their point of view. Similarly, you can view the essay as a piece where the writer examines multiple perspectives and decides based on all available information.

Also see: Argumentative vs expository essay 

However, you should note that a writer makes a case for his point of view, which may or may not agree with any of the viewpoints mentioned. Also, writing an argumentative synthesis paper requires you to understand the subject matter and use it as the basis for your arguments. It is also necessary to support your claims with evidence from reputable sources.

Generally, its purpose is to find a relationship between a given argument and other resources and develop a viewpoint on the topic. The perspective developed should stand criticism from all angles but align with all your sources.

How to Write an Argumentative Synthesis Essay

Ideally, an argumentative synthesis essay is similar to a standard five-paragraphed paper in structure. The structure comprises an introduction, body, and conclusion.

The introduction is the first part and entails a general view of the arguments. It also has the sources and your thesis statement. Additionally, the body comprises three paragraphs, two of which are in support and one with an opposing viewpoint.

In the end, the conclusion is a summary of your essay. This is where you restate every point although, succinctly and with supporting pieces of evidence.

In an argumentative synthesis essay, you’re trying to convince your reader that a particular point of view is the best one to take. And to develop a compeling piece, fulfilling such a purpose might be challenging, but here are some tips to follow.

1. Brainstorming and choosing a topic

This is a crucial step as it influences how well you’ll write. If a topic isn’t given, choose something you’re passionate about.

2. Research

This is probably the most challenging step. It involves gathering information from different sources such as libraries, magazines, and books.

The best way is to use credible sources such as peer-reviewed sites or authoritative websites for particular subjects. The deeper your research, the better because it helps refine your thesis statement and develop solid supportive points.

3. Outlining and writing

Outlining involves a simple detail of your entire essay structure. This includes every point, although subtly. An outline helps you see how each issue relates to the other and also helps discover any information gaps

After developing an outline, it is time to write. Start with the introduction, and cover every aspect, such as providing background information so readers can understand why you’re writing about this particular topic.

Further, the body will cover your points, primarily three, while the conclusion will be a wrap-up of your entire piece.

4. Proofreading

Proofreading, or proofing, is the final step in the writing process. It is often misunderstood as a simple process of correcting spelling mistakes, typos, and grammar errors. However, it is a more complex task involving checking your paper for logical errors and inconsistencies.

It is also tricky because you are looking at your work and trying to find errors you may have missed while writing. The best way is to read the essay out loud as the mind will easily catch a mistake this way than when reading silently.

How Do You Start an Argumentative Synthesis Essay?

If you are asked to write an argumentative synthesis essay, you have to make sure that you have a strong argument and can back it up with facts. This is not the same as writing a persuasive essay or even a persuasive speech. The argumentative synthesis essay requires you to take all the information and facts that you have gathered and use them to prove why the original argument was true or false.

As previously stated, the first step is choosing and brainstorming on a topic. Once you have the topic, writing the introduction is next, and it needs to be authoritative and catchy. The introduction includes background information on the issue and why it is crucial to understand. It also has a thesis statement that states your main argument in an organized manner.

An excellent way to start an argumentative essay is to cite a problem and present your proposed solution. You can also lead with a controversial statement you plan to refute or support. Another approach is to begin with, a quote or anecdote that illustrates the topic and then explain the relevance of the quote or story.

You might also start with a quote from an expert or famous person who supports your position on the topic. Then, you can follow up with a paragraph explaining why you agree with this person’s opinion.