A synthesis essay begins with an examination of different
"texts." The word "texts" here might mean stories, novels, poetry, or articles from a
journal or magazine. Quite often the different texts might have opposing points of view
or very different ideas. The point of a synthesis essay is to reconcile the different
texts in a way that they can be understood to work together. Sometimes a synthesis
essay also includes a more personal element, a discussion by the writer of why these
particular texts are seen to be consistent by the
writer.
An example of the kinds of texts that might be used
in a synthesis essay might be an article about why Heart of Darkness
is a racist novel and an article discussing why Heart of Darkness
is not a racist novel. Depending on how each author supports his or her
point of view, it is possible to synthesize both articles by writing about why both
points of view are correct or have something in
common.
Your professor might have very specific
requirements for this form, but generally, you will need an introduction stating a
thesis that represents the synthesis you perform, summaries of both texts, summaries
that include the details you will need to reconcile them, and a section in which
you synthesize the disparate elements of the texts.
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