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What is Synthesis Essays (Examples)?

A synthesis essay is a very specific type of research paper, where you are asked to draw upon specific sources to support your thesis.  These sources are generally ones that have been assigned as reading for a class or that relate to reading and lectures from your class.  The synthesis referred to in the title is the ability to connect these sources to each other to support a unifying theme or idea in your paper.

There are two main types of synthesis essays: argumentative and explanatory.  An explanatory synthesis essay helps the reader better understand an idea and is similar to an expository essay.  An argumentative synthesis essay uses information gained from the various sources to support an argument.  In your introduction, you will make it clear whether you are writing an explanatory or argumentative essay.  This is usually done via your thesis statement, which provides a very brief explanation of the goal of your essay.

Because a synthesis draws upon your knowledge of sources, you can expect part of the body of your synthesis to focus on summarizing your sources.  Depending on the nature of the essay, you may be summarizing the entire source or simply summarizing one or more of the ideas contained in the source. 

In the body of your synthesis essay, you are also going to carry out the goals you outlined in your introduction.  For an explanatory essay, you will develop the relationship between the sources and show how they work together to explain your topic.  In an argumentative essay, you will focus more on developing the relationship between the ideas expressed in your sources and how, when put together, those ideas support your thesis statement.

The conclusion of your synthesis essay will restate your thesis and then highlight how you have supported that thesis.  If you are still confused about the structure of a synthesis essay, we suggest looking through our free example essays for more guidance.

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Research Paper Doctorate
De Stijl, Constructivism, and Bauhaus: modernist design movements
¶ … De Stijl (The Style) movement of was founded in 1917 by a group of young Dutch architects, among whom the most important are Piet Mondrian, Theo Van Doesburg, and Bart Van Der Leck.
Research Paper Doctorate
Plato, Aristotle, and Taylor on rationality, justice, and individual happiness
The Greek philosopher Plato's concept of justice in "The Republic" demonstrates his belief in the path towards rationality of the individual and society. In his discourse, he talks about the rational individual as a…
Paper Undergraduate
Scenario planning for USDA food supply chain risk management
In this paper, we use scenario planning as a strategic management tool to be used in the proactive and predictive identification as well as mitigation of risks associated with the U.S.A's food supply chain as well as the operations of USDA.THis is done in line with the following instructions: Find and read the following two articles: i) Wack, P. (1985) 'Scenarios: uncharted waters ahead', Harvard Business Review, September-October: 73-89. ii) Wack, P. (1985) 'Scenarios �" shooting up the rapids', Harvard Business Review, November-December: 139-150. 2) Now select an organisation with which you are familiar. Develop three future scenarios, and strategic responses, for the organisation. The first of these scenarios should predict 'no major future changes' in the external environment. Scenario 2 should be based on a prediction of 'negative future changes' in the external environment. Scenario 3 should be based on a prediction of 'positive future changes' in the external environment (60 marks). 3) Critically evaluate the contribution that scenario planning can make to effective strategic management. Draw on relevant theories and examples to support your arguments (40 marks).Find and read the following two articles: i) Wack, P. (1985) 'Scenarios: uncharted waters ahead', Harvard Business Review, September-October: 73-89. ii) Wack, P. (1985) 'Scenarios �" shooting up the rapids', Harvard Business Review, November-December: 139-150. 2) Now select an organisation with which you are familiar. Develop three future scenarios, and strategic responses, for the organisation. The first of these scenarios should predict 'no major future changes' in the external environment. Scenario 2 should be based on a prediction of 'negative future changes' in the external environment. Scenario 3 should be based on a prediction of 'positive future changes' in the external environment (60 marks). 3) Critically evaluate the contribution that scenario planning can make to effective strategic management. Draw on relevant theories and examples to support your arguments (40 marks).
Paper High School
Cultural competence in cross-cultural healthcare settings
Cultural competence is an important skill that is required of the health care practitioners. There are many skills, knowledge and values which a health care professional needs to demonstrate cultural competence. By understanding and reflecting upon the five elements of cultural competence, this paper identifies, presents, describes and analyzes the knowledge, skills and practices needed to work in cross-cultural situations.
Paper Undergraduate
Rousseau's concept of forced freedom in the social contract
This essay examines Rousseau's theory of the social contract, and particularly the idea of the general will. Rousseau's theory of the general will is problematic for many readers, because at first glance it appears counterintuitive and actually somewhat cruel. However, when considered in light of Rousseau's emphasis on debate and reason, it becomes clear that the general will, far from being restricting, actually serves to allow the individual the most freedom possible.
Paper Doctorate
Rai music and Franco-Maghrebi transnational identity in France
In the 1920's groups of rural migrants "brought their native musical styles into the growing urban centers of northwestern Algeria," (Gross, McMurray, and Swedenberg p. 200). Their pulsating groves and concordant dance…
Research Paper Doctorate
Defining classical liberalism: criteria, history, and core principles
There have been offered numerous definitions by scholars as to exactly what is classic liberalism.
Paper Undergraduate
Seven core components of integrated marketing communications strategy
Introduction The breadth and depth of traditional and online marketing channels continues to proliferate. The greater the growth of these traditional and online channels, the more urgent the need to synchronize them all to a common objective corporate-wide (Caemmerer, 2009). The foundational elements of marketing including advertising, public relations, sales promotion and a myriad of other marketing activities all must integrate to a common objective to ensure consistency and focus (Kliatchko, 2005) As the characteristics, depth and extent of marketing strategies continue to become more complex and focused, the need for an integrated marketing communications (IMC) program and strategy become critical to the success of any firm. The intent of this analysis is to evaluate the components of an IMC, identify strategies that evaluate the effectiveness of an IMC, and analysis and provide recommendations on the value of each component of an IMC strategy. Defining Integrated Marketing Campaign Components From the most complex consumer-focused IMC strategies to those that are oriented from one business to another all share seven core components. These include the foundation or the specific definition of the product and market, including an assessment of consumer behavior and market dynamics (McArthur, Griffin, 1997). Additional components include the corporate culture, brand focus, consumer experience, communication tools, promotional tools and integration tools. Each of these seven components must be aligned across traditional or offline and digital online ones as well if an IMC strategy is going to attain tis objectives (McArthur, Griffin, 1997). Of these seven components of an IMC, the most critical is the corporate culture, as that will determine the extent to which an organization will willingly embrace change or not (Gonring, 1994). The influence of a transformational leader is critical for ensuring cultural alignment within an organization (Caemmerer, 2009). Transformational leaders have the ability to orchestrate the many aspects of an IMC strategy while also ensuring everyone responsible for its execution has a very strong sense of ownership and accountability of results (Howard, 2002) Studies of exceptional customer experiences also underscore how critical it is for a company to cultivate a strong customer-driven culture, as it serves as the foundation of successful integration of marketing strategies and tactics (McArthur, Griffin, 1997). Companies who excel at IMC strategies successfully combine foundational elements of marketing, galvanizing them with strong leadership and a culture that is strongly customer-driven. All of these factors together combine to also create a very strong brand focus, as exemplified by Disney's execution of IMC strategies and the resulting high levels of brand equity produced and maintained (Broadcasting & Cable, 2012). Additional IMC components include communication tools, promotional tools and integration tools. Taken together these are the unifying elements of any successful IMC strategy (McArthur, Griffin, 1997). They also act to galvanize strategies across offline and online communications and marketing channels. The communications tools are the most visible component of any IMC strategy, encompassing both offline or traditional media and online media channels (Gonring, 1994). The orchestration of these tools is essential for the development of a cohesive IMC strategy that is galvanized around the unique value proposition (UVP) of the company as well. Promotional tools are used for initiating a conversation or dialogue with prospective and existing customers, in addition to driving the initial public relations (PR), direct and e-mail campaigns, and personal selling strategies (McArthur, Griffin, 1997). Increasingly marketers are turning to smartphone-based advertising and messaging as well, using mobility-based platforms as part of their promotional initiatives within broader IMC-based strategies (Hongcharu, Eiamkanchanalai, 2009). Lastly, the unifying element of integration tools are more critical than ever, as traditional media, online and mobility strategies all must resonate around a common, galvanizing unique value proposition and series of communications objectives to achieve optimal performance (Kliatchko, 2005). In the next section of this analysis, strategies are defined to evaluate the effectiveness of an IMC strategy. Next, an analysis and series of recommendations are provided as to the value of each component of an IMC strategy.
Research Paper Doctorate
Keene and Zimmerman's approach to teaching reading comprehension
Keene & Zimmerman's Mosaic of Thought: Teaching Comprehension in a Reader's Workshop (1997): Summary and Impressions of Three Chapters from the Text
Paper Undergraduate
Five architectural projects of the Machine Age
There were several economic, management, and master builder innovations that directly influenced architecture over the years. Some of the most influential time periods for examining these developments include the Machine Age, the Industrial Revolution, the Scientific Revolution and the Italian Renaissance. This paper examines many changes in these fields during these periods.