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Synthesis Essay

Competency #2: Critical Thinking & Creativity

What's a "Synthesis Essay"?

A synthesis essay is a formal argument that requires you to enter into a "conversation" between multiple sources and your own perspective. While you are using the ideas of others, your success depends on maintaining authorship and using those sources as tools to support a clear line of reasoning.

Going far beyond simple summary, an effective synthesis essay includes a defensible thesis, purposefully integrated evidence from multiple sources, and original commentary that explains how these different sources come together to support your claim.

AI IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE TOOL FOR THIS WRITING TASK.

As you craft and draft your essay, evidence of your authenticity and originality is reflected in:

Handwritten reader's responses and writing prompt responses contained in your Reader's & Writer's Notebook.
Personal annotations of identified texts.
Handwritten outline (when required).
Google Doc history.
Securly classroom history.

NOTE: This essay may be invalidated if you do not provide evidence of authenticity and originality, as indicated in these directions. You will have to start all over again - new prompt, new critical lens, new outline.

An effective "Synthesis Essay"...

Responds to the Prompt

As the writer, you must synthesize the identified sources into a single, clear argument - a thesis that is a direct response to the prompt.

Uses Multiple Sources to Support an Argument

Summarizes and Paraphrases Accurately

When you summarize, focus only on the main points that are relevant to your essay. Always double-check to make sure your summary stays true to the author’s original meaning. AND don't forget to mention the author and title of the work you're summarizing.

Paraphrasing requires you to rewrite the idea in your own unique sentence structure. When you put an author’s idea into your own words, it proves you truly understand the material and helps you maintain your own "voice" throughout the essay. AND don't forget to parenthetically cite what you have paraphrased.

Includes Passages/Quotes

Only use passages/quotes from a source when the wording is truly memorable, significant, or impactful. CAUTION: If you use too many passages/quotes from a source, it can create the impression that you don’t have your own ideas.

Provide your reader with clear transitions to passages/quotes. Let reader know the context for it - who said what and why their statement(s) are credible. See this resource for help: http://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/

Includes Commentary

Your evidence should flow naturally into your own ideas. After presenting a fact or a quote, always explain how it supports your claim. This is called commentary—the more evidence you provide, the more explanation you need to give to keep your message unified.

Creating Your Thesis-Based Research Paper

Craft and Draft...

The resources on this page will guide you through the process of writing your paper. Keep in mind that writing is hardly ever a linear process, and if you need help at any point in the process, sign-up for a conference.

Human-AI Collaboration Spectrum.pdf

Copy of 2026_Overview- Synthesis Paper

Step #1: Craft a Defendable Claim/Thesis

In this step, you will use not use AI. As the writer, you must review/synthesize the sources you discovered in your research for this paper. This includes the original work (speech, poem, artwork, song), your prompt response to this work, class website resources related to the original work, and database resources you identified in your personal research.

Using a sketchnote technique, you'll develop a single, clear argument - a thesis/claim that you can defend with your research.

Step #2: Develop the Argument

In this step, you will use not use AI. You will use the resources referenced in Step #1 as you create a handwritten "outline".

Step #3: Create a Full Rough Draft

In this step, you will use not use AI. You will use the guide (below) and your work from Step#1 and Step #2 to complete a digital rough draft within the specific Google Classroom posting for this summative assessment.

Note: All digital draft work - rough to final to revisions - must be completed on this doc to ensure proper time-date stamps and a complete bread-crumb trail to authentic the originality of your work.

AND Don't Forget Citations!

Step #4: Edit, Revise & Submit

In this step, you will not use AI. Although you will have the opportunity to create a trend through revision, take the time to edit and revise your rough draft as fully as possible now. It will pay-off in the long run and save you time. Once you submit this draft, it becomes your final draft.

Formatting Help

How do you format a formal paper? Click here to review.

Citations Help

How do you create a Works Cited section and parenthetical citations?

All done? Not yet. Be Prepared to Demonstrate Your Breadcrumb Trail

Once you have submitted your paper to the indicated assignment in Google Classroom, be prepared to demonstrate the authenticity and originality of your work by sharing every step of your "breadcrumb trail" in a 1:1 conference with Mrs. Juster. If you are not able to share a full and complete "breadcrumb trail" your summative is invalid and you will have to start this whole process - from research to final draft - all over again.

Scoring Rubric

COMING SOON...

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