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Synthesis
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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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Essay Doctorate
Underlying factors and solutions for academic dishonesty in higher education
This paper is about academic dishonesty. The paper outlines the issue, and some of the root causes, which have been identified with all of the proper citations. Then, the paper addresses the issue from the institutional perspective and the student's perspective. Finally, some conclusions are made about the subject, and maybe what can be done about it.
Paper Undergraduate
Gender disparities and values in modern public sector organizations
The development of values in modern day organizations, particularly those that represent the public sector, are becoming increasingly aligned with principles that are part of social science and primary social science…
Paper Undergraduate
Using higher-order questioning to teach critical thinking skills
This paper helps in identifying two teaching strategies that would facilitate critical thinking and reflective, evidence based practice. Gives a practical example of each strategy; describes how you would apply the strategy in the learning environment, and how you would evaluate the learning outcomes. Supports the argument with at least one article from a professional journal.
Paper Undergraduate
White women's tears and racial oppression of women of color
"When White Women Cry: How White Women's Tears Oppress Women of Color" is written by Mamta Motwani Accapad and the article is focused on analysis of tensions that emerge from intersection of social identities. Gender and race are main identities discussed whereby race is assumes the dominant part of discussion. The author intends to explain how racial privilege of white women benefits them when dealing with women of color. Before being published, the article was reviewed by experts of the field. Being peer reviewed, the article provides a usefulknowledge resource. The article being in PDF format was sourced from internet through an online journal database.
Research Paper Doctorate
Escalation of commitment in community college teacher meetings
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Paper Doctorate
Engineering design as a social and cultural negotiation process
¶ … engineer engages in a process that is both technical, and social as he or she works to facilitate the creation of a product to meet the customer's needs. If this process were strictly functional application of…
Paper Doctorate
GAPDH protein structure and multifunctional roles in cells
The purpose of this review is to consider the structure and the function of the protein glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, EC 1.2.1.12) in Petroselinum crispum and Coriandrum sativum cells.
Paper Undergraduate
Security and privacy issues in mobile and cloud computing
This paper will define cloud computing and mobile cloud computing even while there is no current consensus on their definitions as it is a newly forming field of study and technology. The paper will additionally describe the utility and the structure of mobile cloud and cloud computing. Furthermore, the paper will address topics within the area of mobile cloud and cloud computing that are ripe for intensive research and elucidation. The paper will conclude by offering a sort of philosophical and economical cost-benefit analysis of mobile cloud and cloud computing, as well as select an area of research within this field.
Research Paper Masters
Cultural influences on individual personality development and traits
From the time a person is born, the family, neighbor and the culture is the prime aspect through which they interact before they can enter into the outside world. The development of the personality of an individual is the synthesis of traditions, values, thoughts, feelings, and various other factors that is based on the cultural aspects. In this regard, the dissertation is about the ways in which personality and culture have a relationship to each other. The thesis paper has also discussed how culture leaves a profound impact on the development of the personality.
Research Paper Doctorate
Ken Wilber's integral theory of consciousness and mind-brain integration
Wilber, Ken. "Waves, Streams, States, and Self -- a Summary of My Psychological