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200 Exciting Synthesis Essay Topics for Choosing

Updated 13 Sep 2024

Most of the essays that students complete for high school and college classes demand them to synthesize information and present it in an organized manner. Synthesis essay writing requires a particular set of skills, but choosing the proper topic also matters. If you are not limited to a particular list of assigned topics, we suggest you use our ideas and choose one of the trendy synthesis essay topics we have already brainstormed for you. When compiling this list of trendy topics for synthesis essays, we considered major requirements to college-level writing that professors of US colleges share.

How to Choose the Best Topic

In many cases, teachers either assign the topic or allow students to choose among a limited amount of options. Still, some professors with a more progressive approach to education provide students with significant freedom of choice. This may become a challenge. It is not easy to focus on a single topic when the options are in no way limited. We recommend students who deal with challenging choices to impose their own limitations:

• The topic should be of interest

You should be interested in the considered synthesis essay ideas. Students who choose interesting topics are likelier to spend enough time on research.

• The topic should not be too general

Topics like global warming, drug abuse, social media, corruption, technology, or bioethics are too general to cover in a short piece of writing. The shorter the essay is, the more focused the considered topics for the synthesis essay should be.

• The topic should be debatable

The best synthesis essay topic ideas make people disagree or hesitate among the available options. If an agreement on the topic is already achieved, there is no point in examining it, because such a topic will not appeal to readers.

• The topic should be negotiable

You should choose synthesis topics that are not only interesting but also reasonable to research. There is little reason to research points that are already obvious or unchangeable. Instead, you should look for topics with potential for change and options for negotiable improvement.

If you still cannot put your mind into choosing a particular topic, EduBirdie is here to help you out. We suggest you our free topic generator for writing to create a topic that fully meets your personal preferences. We also prepared for you a list of trendy topics you should use to find relevant synthesis essay ideas. Selecting engaging synthesis essay topics can be difficult, but a personal statement writer can help you present your ideas cohesively and effectively in your college applications.

200 Trendy Synthesis Essay Topic Ideas

With regard to the mentioned criteria, here is the list of the best topics for synthesis essays. The topics are presented in groups, in order to illustrate how you limit your broad topic to a more focused one.

Social Media Essay topics

• The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem among teenagers.
• Analyzing the role of social media in political campaigns and elections.
• The effects of social media on interpersonal communication skills.
• Social media addiction: Causes, effects, and solutions.
• The influence of social media on consumer behavior and marketing strategies.
• Privacy concerns and data security in the age of social media.
• The role of social media in shaping modern protest movements.
• The impact of social media on academic performance among students.
• Cyberbullying on social media platforms: Scope and prevention strategies.
• The evolution of social media platforms and their cultural implications.
• Social media as a tool for social change and activism.
• The psychology behind social media likes and shares.
• The impact of influencer culture on youth aspirations and lifestyles.
• Social media and the spread of misinformation: Challenges and countermeasures.
• The role of social media in fostering global connections and cultural exchange.
• The ethical considerations of social media algorithms and user manipulation.
• Social media and mental health: Understanding the link.
• The future of social media: Trends and predictions.
• Social media's role in personal branding and career development.
• The impact of social media on family relationships and dynamics.

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Education Essay topics

• The effectiveness of online learning vs. traditional classroom settings.
• The impact of technology integration in education on student engagement.
• The role of standardized testing in the education system.
• The importance of arts education in fostering creativity and critical thinking.
• The challenges and opportunities of multicultural education.
• The impact of educational disparities on socioeconomic inequality.
• The role of teacher training in improving educational outcomes.
• The influence of parental involvement on student academic success.
• The future of higher education: Trends and challenges.
• The impact of school uniforms on student behavior and academic performance.
• The role of extracurricular activities in student development.
• Education and democracy: The importance of educating informed citizens.
• The challenges of special education and inclusive practices.
• The impact of educational technology on personalized learning.
• The role of education in combating climate change and promoting sustainability.
• The impact of student loan debt on young adults.
• The role of vocational and technical education in the modern economy.
• The importance of lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world.
• The impact of language barriers on educational access and equity.
• The role of education in promoting gender equality and empowerment.

Global warming Synthesis Essay Topics

• The impact of global warming on polar ice caps and sea level rise.
• The role of renewable energy sources in mitigating global warming.
• The effects of deforestation on the global climate.
• The impact of global warming on biodiversity and species extinction.
• The relationship between global warming and extreme weather events.
• The role of international agreements in addressing global warming.
• The impact of global warming on agriculture and food security.
• The role of individual actions in combating global warming.
• The economic costs of global warming and climate change mitigation.
• The impact of global warming on ocean acidification and marine life.
• The role of technology in monitoring and mitigating global warming.
• The impact of global warming on human health and disease patterns.
• The role of urban planning in reducing carbon emissions.
• The impact of global warming on water resources and availability.
• The role of the media in shaping public perception of global warming.
• The impact of global warming on migration and human displacement.
• The role of education in promoting climate change awareness and action.
• The impact of global warming on economic inequality.
• The role of corporate responsibility in addressing global warming.
• The future of global warming: Predictions and potential solutions.

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Technology Essay topics

• The impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work.
• The ethical considerations of gene editing technologies.
• The role of technology in enhancing or compromising privacy.
• The impact of social media technologies on communication and relationships.
• The role of technology in addressing global health challenges.
• The impact of automation on employment and the economy.
• The ethical implications of surveillance technologies.
• The role of technology in promoting or hindering democracy.
• The impact of digital divide on access to technology and information.
• The future of transportation: Electric vehicles and autonomous driving.
• The role of technology in sustainable development and environmental protection.
• The impact of internet censorship on freedom of expression.
• The role of technology in education: Opportunities and challenges.
• The impact of mobile technology on daily life and social interactions.
• The ethical considerations of virtual reality technologies.
• The role of technology in enhancing human capabilities.
• The impact of technology on mental health and well-being.
• The future of space exploration and technology's role.
• The role of blockchain technology in finance and beyond.
• The impact of technology on the entertainment industry.

Society Synthesis Essay Topics

• The impact of immigration on cultural diversity and social cohesion.
• The role of social media in shaping public opinion and social movements.
• The effects of urbanization on community life and the environment.
• The impact of income inequality on social stability and democracy.
• The role of education in promoting social mobility and equality.
• The effects of globalization on national identities and economies.
• The role of youth in shaping the future of society.
• The impact of aging populations on social and economic systems.
• The role of religion in modern society: Conflict and coexistence.
• The impact of consumer culture on sustainability and ethical consumption.
• The role of art and culture in reflecting and shaping societal values.
• The impact of the #MeToo movement on gender relations and workplace culture.
• The role of technology in creating or bridging social divides.
• The impact of climate change on societal priorities and actions.
• The role of political polarization in shaping public discourse and policy.
• The impact of mental health awareness on societal attitudes and support systems.
• The role of sports in promoting national unity and social inclusion.
• The impact of the gig economy on labor rights and social security.
• The role of community activism in driving social change.
• The impact of scientific literacy on public health and policy decisions.

Health and Medicine Essay topics

• The impact of telemedicine on healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
• The ethical considerations of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
• The role of mental health awareness in reducing stigma and improving care.
• The impact of vaccine hesitancy on public health and herd immunity.
• The role of nutrition in preventing chronic diseases.
• The effects of antibiotic resistance on global health and treatment options.
• The role of genetics in personalized medicine and ethical considerations.
• The impact of the opioid crisis on communities and healthcare systems.
• The role of public health policies in addressing obesity epidemics.
• The effects of climate change on emerging infectious diseases.
• The role of stem cell research in regenerative medicine and ethical debates.
• The impact of healthcare disparities on minority populations.
• The role of exercise in mental and physical health maintenance.
• The effects of aging populations on healthcare systems and policies.
• The role of technology in advancing medical research and patient care.
• The impact of social determinants of health on disease prevalence and outcomes.
• The role of alternative medicine in the healthcare landscape.
• The effects of sleep on health and productivity.
• The role of patient education in managing chronic conditions.
• The impact of global health initiatives on disease eradication efforts.

Read also: List of Top Extended Essay Topics  

Art and Literature Synthesis Essay Topics

• The role of art in reflecting and challenging societal norms.
• The impact of digital media on the consumption and appreciation of literature.
• The role of literature in shaping national identity and cultural heritage.
• The impact of censorship on artistic expression and societal progress.
• The role of contemporary art in addressing global issues and conflicts.
• The impact of translation on the global reach and interpretation of literature.
• The role of public art in urban development and community engagement.
• The impact of literary movements on social change and thought.
• The role of art and literature in promoting mental health and well-being.
• The impact of postcolonial literature on understanding historical and cultural contexts.
• The role of autobiographies and memoirs in shaping public perception of historical events.
• The impact of technology on the evolution of artistic mediums and techniques.
• The role of feminist literature in advancing gender equality and social justice.
• The impact of science fiction on technological innovation and societal expectations.
• The role of poetry in expressing and evoking emotional responses.
• The impact of children's literature on early development and moral education.
• The role of literary festivals in promoting reading culture and literary appreciation.
• The impact of graphic novels and comics on literary and artistic landscapes.
• The role of literature in fostering empathy and cross-cultural understanding.
• The impact of art therapy on healing and emotional expression.

Ethics and Morality Synthesis Essay topics

• The ethical implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• The morality of capital punishment in modern justice systems.
• The ethical considerations of genetic engineering and designer babies.
• The role of ethics in global business practices and corporate responsibility.
• The moral dilemmas posed by climate change and environmental responsibility.
• The ethics of animal testing in medical research and cosmetics.
• The moral responsibilities of governments in refugee and immigration policies.
• The ethical implications of surveillance technology and privacy rights.
• The role of morality in shaping public policy and legislation.
• The ethical considerations of wealth inequality and redistribution.
• The moral implications of euthanasia and end-of-life care.
• The ethics of censorship in media and the arts.
• The moral responsibilities of scientists in research and innovation.
• The ethical implications of social media platforms on user behavior and society.
• The role of ethics in sports: Doping, corruption, and fair play.
• The moral considerations of philanthropy and charitable giving.
• The ethics of data collection and use in research and marketing.
• The moral implications of global trade practices on developing economies.
• The ethical considerations of stem cell research and its potential.
• The role of morality in educational curricula and teaching methods.

The US Law and the Justice System Essay topics

• The impact of the Supreme Court decisions on civil rights and liberties.
• The challenges of criminal justice reform in the United States.
• The role of the jury system in the American legal process.
• The impact of mass incarceration on communities and families.
• The challenges of ensuring equal justice under the law.
• The role of legal precedents in shaping contemporary law.
• The impact of technology on law enforcement and privacy rights.
• The challenges of balancing national security with individual freedoms.
• The role of public interest law in promoting social justice.
• The impact of immigration law on families and communities.
• The challenges of prosecuting white-collar and corporate crime.
• The role of the legal system in addressing environmental issues.
• The impact of the war on drugs on the criminal justice system.
• The challenges of legal aid and access to justice for low-income individuals.
• The role of the Constitution in contemporary legal debates.
• The impact of juvenile justice policies on youth rehabilitation.
• The challenges of legal ethics in practice and jurisprudence.
• The role of the legal system in addressing domestic violence and abuse.
• The impact of intellectual property law on innovation and creativity.
• The challenges of legal responses to cybercrime and digital offenses.

Immigration, the American Dream, and Culture Synthesis Essay topics

• The impact of immigration on the American cultural mosaic.
• The evolution of the American Dream in the context of immigration.
• The challenges faced by immigrants in preserving their cultural identity.
• The role of immigration policies in shaping the American workforce.
• The impact of undocumented immigration on society and the economy.
• The challenges of assimilation and multiculturalism in American society.
• The role of immigrant communities in urban development and revitalization.
• The impact of language barriers on immigrant integration and success.
• The challenges of legal immigration and the path to citizenship.
• The role of education in the immigrant experience and the pursuit of the American Dream.
• The impact of immigration on American political dynamics.
• The challenges of refugee resettlement and integration in the US.
• The role of the media in shaping perceptions of immigrants and immigration.
• The impact of cultural exchange on American arts and entertainment.
• The challenges of discrimination and xenophobia in immigrant experiences.
• The role of immigrant entrepreneurs in the US economy.
• The impact of family separation policies on immigrant communities.
• The challenges of accessing healthcare and social services for immigrants.
• The role of religious institutions in supporting immigrant communities.
• The impact of globalization on immigration patterns and the American Dream.

Proper Formatting Tips

As analysis and usage of multiple sources are paramount to synthesis writing, it is particularly important to properly cite each piece of information to avoid possible plagiarism accusations. The choice of specific documentation style often depends on the task, and professors usually clarify this requirement. Either applying MLA, APA, Chicago, or any other format, you should follow some general rules to avoid plagiarism. If you borrow the information directly from the source, you should present it in quotation marks and cite it correspondingly. But keep in mind that you should present most of the content in your own words, limiting the number of direct quotes. Paraphrased information still should be cited, but there is no need for quotation marks. Usually, it is easy to present information in your own words. People constantly do this in their everyday communications. But rephrasing some content may be challenging, especially if you are constrained in time.

For a clearer understanding of how to approach a synthesis essay, it can be helpful to explore a synthesis essay example that showcases the effective synthesis of information and ideas in a well-structured manner.

EduBirdie Writers are Here for You

Now, you may choose the synthesis paper topic you like most and use the presented tips to write the whole essay. Remember to cite all the quoted and paraphrased information properly in order to avoid plagiarism accusations. If you still have any questions, EduBirdie writers and editors are here to help you.

Few simple steps separate you from choosing the best editor, who can proofread and significantly improve your essay, or the professional writer, who can write it from scratch. EduBirdie writers are experienced in writing synthesis essays for various purposes. Either background synthesis, argument synthesis, or literature review, you can expect excellent service and timely delivery for a negotiable price.

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Written by David Kidwell

David is one of those experienced content creators from the United Kingdom who has a high interest in social issues, culture, and entrepreneurship. He always says that reading, blogging, and staying aware of what happens in the world is what makes a person responsible. He likes to learn and share what he knows by making things inspiring and creative enough even for those students who dislike reading.

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Are you assigned to examine any idea on the basis of multiple sources, but don’t know what synthesis essay topics to choose? If yes, don’t go any further! We've taken this challenge head-on, curating an expansive list of riveting topics for synthesis essays across diverse domains. Whether your interest lies in technology, education, art, or beyond, this blog post is your ticket to a compelling synthesis essay. 

We've sifted through the mundane to offer synthesis ideas that will inspire you. But remember, choosing the perfect topic is just the beginning. When it's time to transform your thoughts into a coherent essay, our team is here to help you. Get matched with the best essay writer online who will take care of your writing task.

What Are Synthesis Essay Topics?

Topics for a synthesis essay draw from two or more sources and combine them to make a unique argument. For example, you might be asked to analyze multiple published works to prove that one author used ideas from another. You could also use sources such as primary documents, speeches, and research papers to craft an argument about a particular event in time. 

In these terms, synthesis essay ideas are very much similar to argumentative essay topics . It’s just that you must include more than one resource to make your argument stronger.

A synthesis essay topic not only demands an understanding of several perspectives. Your task here is to synthesize, or blend together these differing views to create a well-rounded point. You should engage deeply with material to recognize biases, and to appreciate the complexity of different viewpoints.

How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic?

When you’re trying to pick the right synthesis essay topic, look for one that reflects your own passion. Make sure you can access enough material to analyze various perspectives. Here are more tips for choosing an ideal synthesis essay topic:

• Follow your interests Always start with what piques your curiosity. The more interested you are in a topic, the more motivated you will be during the writing process. And trust us, your enthusiasm will shine through in your essay!
• Seek complexity Good topics for a synthesis essay should be complex and open to interpretation. It’s important to select topics that involve multiple views, and can accommodate a variety of opinions.
• Identify the context When exploring synthesis essay ideas, it is imperative to understand the context in which they are being discussed. Researching both sides of the argument can help you better identify the underlying ideas.
• Narrow the scope down It is important to narrow down your synthesis essay topic to make it more digestible. You don’t have to cover every single aspect of a broad subject – two or three points should be enough.
• Be original Last but not least, make sure to choose a unique topic. Your professor might have heard of the same argument before, so try to pick something distinct.

Top List of Synthesis Essay Topics

Are you looking for the most popular synthesis essay topics? Your research should start here! Below, we've selected top synthesis essay prompts and ideas in different fields.

• Impact of mindfulness on productivity.
• Role of AI in personalizing education.
• Veganism and global food security.
• Influence of pop culture on fashion trends.
• Cybersecurity in the age of the Internet of Things.
• Dark tourism and its ethical implications.
• Intersectionality in feminist movements.
• Disruptive effects of pandemics on economies.
• Space privatization and international law.
• Rise of cryptocurrency and financial systems.
• Artificial meat and its potential impact.
• Social media as a catalyst for political change.
• Machine learning and future job markets.
• Climate change and migration patterns.
• Urbanization and wildlife conservation.

Good Synthesis Essay Topics

Good topics for synthesis papers are those that can be argued in a logical manner and facilitate a thorough examination. A great topic allows you to interweave ideas, concepts, and narratives. Discover your perfect match from our handpicked selection of synthesis essay topic ideas:

• Future of remote work post-pandemic.
• Impact of electric vehicles on the oil industry.
• Influences shaping modern architectural design.
• Role of influencers in digital marketing.
• Fast fashion's contribution to environmental degradation.
• Genetically modified crops and food safety.
• Holistic wellness vs traditional medicine.
• Use of drones in agriculture.
• eSports rise as a mainstream entertainment.
• Impact of homeschooling on social skills.
• Virtual reality in healthcare training.
• Cashless society and financial inclusion.
• Influence of language on cultural identity.
• Social implications of gene editing technologies.
• Psychedelics for mental health treatments.

Easy Synthesis Essay Topics

If you’re looking for synthesis essay topics that don’t require too much research, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are some simple synthesis topics:

• Music's influence on workout intensity.
• Reality TV's impact on societal values.
• Online dating and changing relationship norms.
• Print media vs digital media consumption.
• Plastic bans and alternatives for sustainability.
• Video games' role in cognitive development.
• Social media's impact on body image.
• Role of pets in reducing stress.
• Laughter as a form of therapy.
• Online shopping and consumer behavior.
• Yoga's benefits for mental health.
• Caffeine's role in boosting performance.
• Green spaces and urban well-being.
• Home cooking vs processed food consumption.
• Use of technology in managing time.

Interesting Synthesis Essay Topics

Are you looking for some interesting topics to write a synthesis essay on? Don’t search any further. Get inspired by these engaging synthesis essay topics:

• Hyperloop technology and future travel.
• Autonomous vehicles and city infrastructure.
• Impact of microtransactions in gaming.
• Podcasts transforming traditional storytelling.
• Use of Augmented Reality in advertising.
• Quantum computing and data security.
• Role of meme culture in online communication.
• Minimalism lifestyle combating consumerism.
• Role of bioluminescence in deep-sea exploration.
• Significance of street art in urban culture.
• Use of CRISPR technology in disease prevention.
• Exploring potential of renewable energy storage.
• Role of meditation in stress management.
• Understanding sleep and its effects on health.
• Plant-based diets and their ecological significance.

Fun Synthesis Essay Topics

It is important to remember that a synthesis essay should still be informative and argumentative. However, it can also be fun at the same time! Here are some of the most enjoyable synthesis essay prompt ideas:

• Animated films' impact on child psychology.
• Role of superheroes in shaping ethics.
• Food trucks driving culinary innovation.
• Comedy's role in stress relief.
• Board games vs video games for family bonding.
• Influence of astrology on decision-making.
• Impact of stand-up comedy on social discourse.
• Selfie culture and self-expression.
• Role of festivals in cultural preservation.
• Celebrity endorsements and consumer choice.
• Adventure tourism boosting local economies.
• Role of magic tricks in cognitive development.
• Online streaming platforms reshaping entertainment.
• Role of comic strips in early reading.
• Virtual reality and the future of gaming.

Best Synthesis Essay Topics

The world of synthesis paper topics is vast and varied. You can write about anything from the evolving culture of music festivals to the history of gender roles in film. Below we have compiled some of our favorite synthesis essay topics for you:

• Digital nomad lifestyle revolutionizing work.
• Microplastics and human health risks.
• Role of apps in habit formation.
• Evolution of language in digital age.
• Zero waste movement and consumerism.
• Color psychology in marketing and branding.
• Effect of solitude on creativity.
• Wearable tech and healthcare advancements.
• Blue light exposure and sleep health.
• Tiny houses and sustainable living.
• Influence of TikTok on youth culture.
• Benefits of intergenerational friendships.
• Impacts of personal finance education.
• Meal prep culture and health impacts.
• Role of urban farming in food security.

Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis assignments can be informative pieces that provide readers with an understanding of a particular topic. Start exploring the following synthesis essay topics for your next assignment:

• Advancements in healthcare through robotics.
• Climate change and polar ice meltdown.
• Conservation possibilities with eco-tourism.
• Balancing benefits and risks of desalination plants.
• Music's influence on brain functionality.
• GMO foods debate.
• Cryptocurrency in the evolving global economy.
• Nanotechnology's breakthroughs in medicine.
• High-speed rail transforming travel experiences.
• Telemedicine and the democratization of healthcare access.
• Biodiversity's significance in ecosystems.
• 3D printing revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.
• Digital marketing trends that shape businesses.
• Autonomous drones reshaping delivery services.
• Artificial intelligence in advanced data analysis.

>> Read more: Informative Writing Topics

Synthesis Essay Ideas for Students

If you’re a student, then it’s likely that you’ll be asked to write about synthesis topics at some point in your academic career. Our comprehensive list of synthesis topics for essays is categorically organized by academic level to guide you effortlessly through your selection process. Whether you're a high school student or pursuing higher education, we offer a wealth of synthesis project ideas and topics across diverse fields of interest.

Synthesis Essay Topics for High School Students 

High school is the perfect time to explore and be creative with synthesis essay topics. Scroll down to find some good prompts for your high school paper:

• Dystopian literature reflecting societal fears.
• Body positivity in modern media.
• Social media shaping teen behavior.
• Fast food culture and lifestyle changes.
• Space exploration and human potential.
• Reality TV's sway over perception.
• Online learning in the post-pandemic world.
• Mythology influences popular culture.
• Graphic novels' role in literature.
• Digital art revolutionizes creative expression.
• Influences shaping modern music trends.
• Smartphone addiction and its consequences.
• Privacy issues in a digital era.
• Rise in youth activism worldwide.
• Artificial intelligence transforming everyday life.

College synthesis essay topics should offer more depth ans challenge critical thinking skills. They enable you to showcase your ability to navigate complex ideas, analyze various sources, and synthesize a compelling argument. We gathered some good ideas fitting a college level:

• Ethical debates around genetic engineering.
• Cryptocurrencies disrupting traditional finance.
• Mental health discourse in social media.
• Fusion energy as a sustainable power source.
• Cybersecurity in an interconnected world.
• Machine learning's transformative capabilities.
• Influencer marketing and consumer decisions.
• Multiculturalism reshaping global societies.
• Pros and cons of universal basic income.
• Ecofeminism and its significance today.
• Data privacy in the age of big data.
• E-sports rise in mainstream culture.
• Telecommuting reshaping work culture.
• Biohacking and human enhancement debates.
• Virtual reality in education and training.

Synthesis Essay Topics by Subject

Below, we’ve divided up synthesis essay topics into different categories. While they are all related to academics, each section offers unique perspectives that you can use for your paper.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Technology

Topics for a synthesis essay on technology bring forward the latest advancements, ethical debates, and potential implications of rapidly evolving tech realms. Tech topics offer a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of technology with various aspects of life.

• Ethics in facial recognition technologies.
• Blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies.
• Tech start-up culture and innovation.
• Augmented reality in everyday life.
• Deepfakes and information integrity.
• Machine learning in weather forecasting.
• Internet of Things in smart cities.
• Neural networks transforming AI.
• Tech advancements in renewable energy.
• Gamification in education and training.
• Biometric technology and personal security.
• Quantum computing's potential and challenges.
• Big data analytics in healthcare.
• Cyber warfare and national security.
• Virtual reality in mental health therapy.

>> View more: Political Topics to Write About

Topics for Synthesis Essays on Political Systems

Politics are closely intertwined with society, economics, and history. Ideas for synthesis essays in this domain cover topics such as democracy, communism, anarchism, and socialism.

• Democracy versus authoritarianism.
• Political impacts of social media.
• Welfare states and economic growth.
• Globalization and national sovereignty.
• Populism in 21st-century politics.
• Electoral reforms for fair representation.
• Role of lobbying in policy making.
• Politicization of climate change.
• Political ideologies and income inequality.
• Rise of right-wing politics.
• Influence of nationalism on global peace.
• Gender representation in politics.
• Direct democracy: feasibility and implications.
• Impact of political instability on economies.
• Secularism and religious freedom in politics.

Global Economy Synthesis Essay Topics

The global economy is an ever-evolving and interconnected system of diverse markets. Synthesis essay topics in economics should explore current economic issues, their causes, and potential solutions.

• Globalization and local economies.
• Role of BRICS in the global economy.
• Impacts of Brexit on European economy.
• China's Belt and Road Initiative.
• Future of work in the digital age.
• Trade wars and their economic implications.
• Carbon credits and global warming.
• Income inequality in a global context.
• E-commerce and traditional marketplaces.
• Global recession and recovery strategies.
• Cryptocurrencies and financial systems.
• Economic impact of climate change.
• Automation and the future job market.
• Impact of COVID-19 on the global economy.
• Fair trade practices and global poverty.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Education

Education is one of the most important aspects of student life. Education topics for synthesis essays can focus on how the educational system should be reformed or what changes need to be made.

• Online learning and traditional classrooms.
• Homeschooling versus public education.
• Gamification in learning environments.
• Mental health awareness in schools.
• Impact of standardized testing.
• Lifelong learning and career development.
• Role of AI in personalized learning.
• Education policies and social inequality.
• Inclusion of ethnic studies in curricula.
• Emotional intelligence in education.
• MOOCs and access to higher education.
• Value of liberal arts education.
• School uniforms and student identity.
• Role of arts in cognitive development.
• Teacher's role in the digital age.

Literature Synthesis Essay Topics

Literature topic ideas for a synthesis essay focus on analyzing various literary works and evaluating their relevance to society. They help you understand how different literary components interact to create an effect.

• Magical realism in Latin American literature.
• Gothic elements in modern fiction.
• Feminist themes in classic literature.
• Postcolonial narrative in African literature.
• Shakespeare's influence on modern drama.
• Role of dystopia in YA literature.
• Symbolism in American transcendentalist poetry.
• Stream of consciousness in modernist literature.
• Mythical allusions in fantasy literature.
• Existential themes in absurdist literature.
• Tragedy and comedy in ancient Greek plays.
• Hero's journey in epic literature.
• Haiku's influence on modern poetry.
• Literary devices in detective fiction.
• Postmodernism in contemporary literature.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Art

Art is a mirror of society as it reflects its values, beliefs, and ideologies. Synthesis paper ideas on art offer an excellent opportunity to reflect on works of art, their role in culture, and the purpose they serve.

• Surrealism in modern digital art.
• Graffiti: Street art or vandalism?
• Renaissance influence on contemporary painting.
• Art Nouveau and its aesthetic principles.
• Role of photography in documenting history.
• Cubism and its impact on modern design.
• Body art as a form of self-expression.
• Architecture's evolution through history.
• Impressionism's influence on cinematography.
• Minimalism in graphic design.
• Pop art and consumer culture.
• Role of music in cultural exchange.
• Feminist messages in performance art.
• Art therapy and mental health.
• Animation as a form of storytelling.

Topics for Synthesis Essays on Religion

Religion has been a major influence on societies and cultures for centuries. Synthesis essay topics about religion explore the role of faith in society, evaluate its impact on individuals, and analyze religious beliefs and practices.

• Religious pluralism in multicultural societies.
• Secularism versus religious state governance.
• Buddhism's influence on Western psychology.
• Role of religion in conflict resolution.
• New age spirituality and traditional faiths.
• Religion and its role in identity formation.
• Islam's influence on Middle Eastern architecture.
• Religious symbolism in literary works.
• Atheism in the 21st century.
• Christian themes in popular music.
• Religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
• Indigenous religions and environmental stewardship.
• Women's roles in different faith traditions.
• Religion in science fiction literature.
• Hindu philosophy's impact on yoga culture.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Social Media

Synthesis essay topics on social media offer an exciting opportunity to analyze the impact of digital platforms on our interactions, behaviors, and societal norms. These topics prompt a deep dive into how social media has transformed communication, commerce, and even politics. Here are some awesome synthesis essay questions for your consideration:

• Rise of ephemeral content : Snapchat and beyond.
• E-commerce trends on Instagram.
• Digital activism and social justice.
• Social media's role in digital art promotion.
• Facebook's effect on personal relationships.
• The boom of live streaming on platforms like Twitch.
• Hashtags and online social movements.
• Political campaigning on Twitter.
• Self-branding on LinkedIn: A necessity or choice?
• The shift towards audio: Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces.
• Social media's role in shaping news.
• Social media's effect on productivity.
• TikTok and the short video revolution.
• Reddit and the culture of niche communities.
• Augmented reality features.

Society Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis essay prompts on society allow you to dive into the intricacies of social norms, cultural dynamics, and human behavior. These topics offer a gateway to evaluate societal issues, behaviors, and trends. Explore these outstanding topics to get a broader perspective on societal matters:

• Urbanization and its consequences.
• Aging population: Implications and challenges.
• Consumerism and its influence on society.
• Cultural assimilation versus cultural preservation.
• Gender dynamics in the workplace.
• Migration patterns and cultural exchange.
• Rural life versus urban living.
• LGBTQ+ rights and societal acceptance.
• Youth culture and pop culture influence.
• The influence of celebrities on societal norms.
• Body positivity movement and societal standards.
• Intersectionality in modern feminist movements.
• Ethical consumption and societal trends.
• Role of sports in societal bonding.
• The digital divide: A societal challenge.

>> View more: Social Science Topics

Synthesis Essay Topics on Culture

Culture influences how we interact with one another and the world around us. When working in this field, you can explore how different aspects of culture interact to shape our lives, beliefs, values, and attitudes. Consider these synthesis essay topic ideas related to culture:

• Globalization and its impact on local cultures.
• Role of food in cultural identity.
• Cultural representation in mainstream cinema.
• Anime's influence beyond Japan.
• Hip-hop as a cultural movement.
• Cultural appropriation versus cultural exchange.
• Tourism and its effect on indigenous cultures.
• Cultural heritage preservation and challenges.
• Fashion trends inspired by cultural elements.
• Role of language in cultural preservation.
• Cultural symbolism in architecture.
• The rise of global pop culture.
• Subcultures and countercultures: A societal analysis.
• The influence of Hispanic culture on American society.
• Cultural dimensions of body art and tattoos.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Ethics and Morality

Synthesis essay ideas  on ethics and morality challenge you to explore philosophical dilemmas, societal values, and the human conscience. Take a glance at these ideas if you need to synthesize information in your  essay on ethics :

• Utilitarianism in contemporary decision-making.
• Veganism as an ethical lifestyle choice.
• Ethical implications of genetic engineering.
• Business ethics in the digital age.
• Morality in AI: Future challenges.
• The ethics of capital punishment.
• Physician-assisted suicide: A moral dilemma.
• Animal rights and ethical treatment.
• Ethics of privacy in the digital world.
• Morality in children's literature.
• Ethical issues in cosmetic surgery.
• The moral implications of censorship.
• Ethics of organ trafficking and transplantation.
• The morality of war and conflict.
• Ethical considerations in psychological research.

Synthesis Essay Topic Ideas on Criminal Justice

Criminal justice has been at the heart of societal debates in recent years. Start your investigative journey with these debatable and controversial topics for synthesis essay:

• Community policing and crime prevention.
• Juvenile justice system: Reformation needs.
• Influence of media on public perception of crime.
• Mental health issues in the criminal justice system.
• The role of forensics in crime-solving.
• Rehabilitation versus punishment: Which is more effective?
• Cybercrime and its rising threat.
• Immigration laws and criminal justice.
• Racial bias in the criminal justice system.
• Crime rates and socioeconomic status correlation.
• The ethics of solitary confinement.
• The death penalty: A deterrent or a violation?
• Restorative justice : An alternative approach.
• Human trafficking: Laws and prevention.
• The evolution of criminal profiling.

>> More ideas: Criminal Justice Essay Topics

Immigration Topics for a Synthesis Essay

Immigration topics for a synthesis essay can be multifaceted and complex. You can explore the history of immigration, its economic benefits and drawbacks, or the societal impact of this movement on individuals and communities.

• Asylum policies and human rights issues.
• Economic implications of immigrant labor.
• Immigration's role in cultural diversity.
• The dreamers: DACA and its future.
• Immigration policies in post-Brexit UK.
• The border wall debate: USA and Mexico.
• Impact of immigration on urban development.
• Immigration and its influence on global cuisine.
• Integration challenges faced by immigrants.
• Refugees and international responsibility.
• The brain drain phenomenon: Causes and consequences.
• Immigration and public health concerns.
• Anti-immigration sentiments and nationalism.
• The effect of climate change on immigration patterns.
• Immigration laws: A comparative study.

Synthesis Essay Topics on Healthcare

The healthcare sector has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing with it new ethical and moral dilemmas. Healthcare topics for synthesis essays might explore the role of medical science and technology in providing better care and quality of life to patients.

• Rise of personalized medicine.
• Vaccination policies: A global perspective.
• Nutrition trends and public health outcomes.
• Role of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• Mental health stigma in different societies.
• Health implications of sleep deprivation.
• The surge of holistic health practices.
• Ethical issues in gene editing technologies.
• Healthcare disparities in rural vs urban areas.
• The rising challenge of antibiotic resistance.
• Yoga and mindfulness: Implications for healthcare.
• Climate change and disease spread.
• Biomedical engineering for healthcare solutions.
• The evolution of surgery: From invasive to minimally invasive techniques.
• The debate around universal healthcare.

>> View more: Health Topics to Research

Mental Health Synthesis Essay Topics

Mental health is a crucial element of overall wellbeing. This being said, synthesis paper ideas explore how our society can address issues related to mental health. From understanding the causes of stress and burnout to evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, these topics will help you develop an argumentative essay that sheds light on mental health.

• Efficacy of online therapy platforms.
• The influence of childhood trauma on adult mental health.
• Workplace policies for mental health support.
• Role of art therapy in mental health treatment.
• Impact of social isolation on mental health.
• Decriminalization of suicide attempts.
• Mental health representation in mainstream media.
• The intersectionality of mental health, race, and gender.
• Mindfulness practices and their impact on anxiety.
• The rise of eating disorders among adolescents.
• Stigmatization of mental health in schools.
• The role of school counselors in early detection of mental health issues.
• Ethical considerations in psychiatric medication.
• Mental health first aid: Necessity and implementation.
• PTSD in military personnel: Addressing the silent battle.

>> Learn more: Mental Health Research Topics

Synthesis Essay Topics on Global Warming

Global warming is a pressing issue that provides many ideas to be synthesized. Choose one of these synthesis topics to write a paper that provides facts, evidence, and analysis of global warming issues.

• Climate change refugees: A growing concern.
• Global warming and its influence on ocean currents.
• Carbon footprint: Individual responsibility vs corporate accountability.
• Deforestation and its role in global warming.
• Technological solutions for reversing global warming.
• Impact of global warming on agriculture and food security.
• Renewable energy in combating global warming.
• Polar ice melting: Consequences and solutions.
• International cooperation in addressing global warming.
• The relationship between urbanization and global warming.
• Greenhouse gases: Identifying the biggest culprits.
• Global warming and the increase in extreme weather events.
• The role of lifestyle changes in reducing global warming.
• Economic implications of global warming.
• Education as a tool for global warming awareness and action.

Synthesis Essay Topics on the American Dream

The American Dream is an idea that has been present in the United States since its formation. Synthesis essay topics on this concept explore how people strive for freedom, success, and personal fulfillment despite socio-economic and racial inequalities.

• The American Dream in literature: A reflection of societal values.
• Race and the American Dream: An in-depth analysis.
• The American Dream and income inequality.
• The role of immigration in shaping the American Dream.
• Women and the American Dream: A historical perspective.
• The American Dream in the digital age.
• Relevance of the American Dream to millennials.
• The impact of the 2008 financial crisis on the American Dream.
• The American Dream: A global perspective.
• How the American Dream influences U.S. foreign policy.
• Sustainability and the American Dream.
• The American Dream and its effect on the education system.
• Influence of the American Dream on popular culture.
• The evolution of the American Dream throughout the 20th century.
• The pursuit of the American Dream: Inspiration or pressure?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Drug Abuse

The misuse and abuse of drugs have serious consequences, both for individuals and society. Consider these synthesis essay topic ideas on drug abuse:

• Role of peer pressure in initiating drug use.
• Prescription drug abuse: A hidden crisis.
• Drug abuse education in schools: Success and shortcomings.
• The correlation between mental health issues and drug abuse.
• Rehabilitation vs. punishment for drug abusers.
• Effectiveness of public health campaigns against drug abuse.
• The role of socioeconomic factors in drug abuse.
• Opioid crisis: Causes and implications.
• Influence of media portrayal on drug abuse.
• Drugs and violence: An intricate relationship.
• Decriminalization of drugs: Pros and cons.
• Role of family in preventing and treating drug abuse.
• Substance abuse among healthcare professionals.
• The impact of drug abuse on the economy.
• Strategies for early detection and intervention of drug abuse.

Food and Nutrition Synthesis Essay Topics

Food and nutrition have always been major topics of interest in academic research, since the way we eat affects our health. Here , you could study the role of diet in human wellbeing and how it can be improved to promote a healthier lifestyle.

• Genetically modified foods: Boon or bane?
• The impact of fast food culture on public health.
• Food labeling: Understanding what we eat.
• Vegetarianism and veganism: Health and environmental implications.
• Nutrition disparities in low-income communities.
• The rise of organic farming: A healthier choice?
• Understanding eating disorders: Anorexia and bulimia.
• Diet and mental health: An unexplored connection.
• The role of government in regulating food quality.
• The cultural impact on dietary habits.
• The Keto diet: Hype or a real solution?
• Food allergies: Understanding the increase.
• The sugar debate: Its impact on health.
• Nutritional needs across the lifespan.
• The role of diet in disease prevention.

Sports Synthesis Essay Topics

Sports have always been a vital part of our culture. Synthesis paper topics on sports explore how different aspects of society are affected by sporting activities.

• Gender equality in sports: Progress and roadblocks.
• The societal impact of the Olympics.
• Role of sports in promoting physical and mental health.
• Steroid use in sports: Ethical implications.
• The influence of sports celebrities on youth.
• Economic implications of major sports events.
• Role of sports in fostering international relations.
• How sports can play a role in education.
• Racial discrimination in professional sports.
• The psychology of sports: The impact on athletes.
• Commercialization in sports: Pros and cons.
• Sports and media: A powerful partnership.
• Role of sports in promoting social inclusion.
• Effect of emerging technology on sports.
• Youth sports programs in communities.

If you ever need more topics on other disciplines, refer to our blog for some great ideas. From persuasive essays topics to evaluation essay topics , we have a full assortment of suggestions fitting any assignment.

Bottom Line on Synthesis Topic Ideas

Synthesis essays are a great way to explore various topics related to culture, society, and ethics. From exploring ethical business practices to understanding the implications of digital technology on contemporary life, these synthesis essay topic ideas provide plenty of food for thought! Pick any of these ideas to get started on your task.

If you're still feeling stumped or pressed for time, our expert writing team is here to assist you. Just send us your request, and rest assured that you'll receive a top-notch synthesis essay on any topic you choose. Order essay online now and let us make your academic journey a little bit easier.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — 85 Synthesis Essay Topics for College Students

85 Synthesis Essay Topics for College Students

Synthesis essays are a key component of AP Language and Composition courses, providing students with an opportunity to delve into various sources, combine ideas, and present a cohesive argument. These essays require students to evaluate information, identify relationships between different sources, and construct a well-supported thesis. This article will provide an in-depth exploration of synthesis essay topics, including examples and tips for selecting good synthesis essay topics, and cover how to write an AP Lang synthesis essay. By the end, you'll be equipped with a wide array of synthesis topics and understand how to approach your next essay with confidence.

Understanding Synthesis Essays

Before diving into topics, it’s crucial to understand what a synthesis essay entails. A synthesis essay involves combining information from multiple sources to support a central argument or thesis. This type of essay requires you to:

• Analyze various sources: Evaluate the credibility and relevance of each source.
• Identify common themes: Look for overarching themes or ideas that connect the sources.
• Formulate a thesis: Develop a clear and concise thesis statement that reflects your synthesized understanding.
• Support your argument: Use evidence from the sources to back up your thesis, while also considering counterarguments.

Tips for Choosing a Good Synthesis Essay Topic

Selecting a good synthesis essay topic is essential for a successful essay. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic:

• Interest and Relevance: Choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to your course or current events.
• Availability of Sources: Ensure there are enough credible sources available on the topic.
• Debatability: Select a topic with multiple perspectives to facilitate a well-rounded argument.
• Scope: Avoid topics that are too broad or too narrow. Aim for a balanced scope that allows for thorough exploration without overwhelming you with information.

75 Good Synthesis Essay Topics

Here are some synthesis essay topics across various subjects:

Social Issues

• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: Analyze how social media platforms influence mental well-being.
• Abolishment of Capital Punishment
• Income Inequality and Its Effects on Society: Discuss the causes and consequences of income inequality.
• The Role of Education in Reducing Poverty: Explore how education can be a tool for poverty alleviation.
• The Influence of Pop Culture on Youth Identity: Examine how pop culture shapes the identities of young people.
• The Effectiveness of Gun Control Laws: Debate the effectiveness of existing gun control measures in reducing violence.
• The Relation of Black Lives Matter to "Nineteen Eighty-four" by George Orwell
• The Impact of Refugees on The Countries in Which They Settle
• How Political Correctness is an Attack on The 1st Amendment
• Discussion on Whether America Should Repeal The 2nd Amendment

Arts & Culture

• The Reasons Graffiti Should Be Legalized
• Is It Possible to Make a Neutral Question
• Influence of British Colonialism on Indian Culture in The 19th Century
• Creativity is not enough in the Modern World
• Analysis of The Evolution of Vampires Approaching The Twenty-first Century

Environmental Issues

• Climate Change and Its Global Impact: Assess the various ways climate change affects the planet.
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Investigate the benefits and challenges of sustainable farming.
• The Role of Renewable Energy in Reducing Carbon Footprint: Discuss the potential of renewable energy sources in combating climate change.
• Deforestation and Its Consequences: Analyze the causes and effects of deforestation on ecosystems.
• Daylight Saving Time: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Controversies
• The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life: Examine how plastic waste affects ocean ecosystems.
• The Evolution of Wind Farms
• The Unintended Consequences of The Plastic Straw Ban
• Earthquake and Its Devastating Effects
• Global Warming: Impact of Melting Snow
• Discussion on Whether It is Right to Treat Water as a Commodity

Technology and Innovation

• The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Explore the potential benefits and risks of AI advancements.
• The Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering: Debate the ethical considerations surrounding genetic modification.
• The Role of Technology in Education : Assess how technology is transforming the educational landscape.
• Cybersecurity Threats in the Digital Age: Analyze the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate them.
• The Impact of Automation on Employment: Discuss how automation and robotics are changing the job market.
• The Impact of Technology on Communication
• The Negative Effects of Smartphones on an Individual's Cognitive Abilities
• Smartphones as Huge Educational Tools
• The Importance of Honor Codes in Higher Education
• STEM Education: Benefits, Challenges, Strategies, and Future
• Why Free College Tuition is Rather a Financial Burden, not a Breakthrough
• The Possibilities of Offering Fine Arts in Rural Schools
• The Need for Repeating Policy in Educational Institutions
• The Importance of Sex Education in Schools
• The Impact of College Tuition Payment on Graduation Rates
• Online Vs Traditional Classes: is One More Effective than The Other
• Evaluation of The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Transmission
• Discussion on Whether College Should Be Tuition-free

Health and Medicine

• The Opioid Crisis in America: Examine the causes and potential solutions to the opioid epidemic.
• Vaccination and Public Health: Debate the importance of vaccination in preventing disease outbreaks.
• The Benefits and Risks of Medical Marijuana: Analyze the medical uses and potential downsides of marijuana legalization.
• The Issue of Legalization of Cannabis in Canada
• Approving Drugs as a Solution to the War on Drugs
• Mental Health Stigma in Society: Discuss the impact of stigma on mental health treatment and support.
• The Future of Telemedicine: Explore the potential of telemedicine in improving healthcare access.
• The Debate Over Free Healthcare and Universal Healthcare in America
• The Effectiveness of Narrative Medicine in Health Care Practice
• The Effect of Mental Illnesses on Art Throughout Different Time Periods
• Effects of Stress on The Body: How It Affects Physical and Psychological Health
• Analysis of Marijuana's Benefits and Dangers from Medical and Social Points
• The Ever-Evolving American Dream
• The Pros and Cons of Eminent Domain
• The Relationship Between Economic Growth and Income Inequality
• The Political Consequences of Rising Economic Inequality
• Negative Impact of Coal Mining on The Environment

Politics and Governance

• The Effectiveness of Democracy in the Modern World: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of democratic systems.
• The Role of International Organizations in Global Governance: Analyze the influence of organizations like the UN and WHO.
• The Impact of Political Polarization on Governance: Discuss how political divides affect governmental effectiveness.
• Discussion on Whether Governments Should Subsidize The Arts
• The Influence of Lobbying on Legislation: Examine the impact of lobbying on the legislative process.
• Immigration Policies and Their Socioeconomic Effects: Debate the benefits and drawbacks of various immigration policies.
• Analysis of The Causes of The ISIS Epidemic Spreading Across The Globe

Law, Crime & Punishment

• Is Domestic Violence a Widespread Problem
• The Second Amendment – Support Or Abolish
• The Link Between The Cruelty of Animals and Humans
• Racial Discrimination in The US Criminal Justice
• Positive Psychology and Restorative Justice to Reduce Recidivism in Youth Offenders
• How The Criminalization of Prostitution Impacts Essential Human Rights
• Drug Policy in America: The Issue of Marijuana Legalization

AP Lang Synthesis Essay Example

To better understand how to write a synthesis essay, let’s look at an example prompt and outline the approach.

Example Prompt:

"Evaluate the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships. Use at least three sources to support your argument."

Step-by-Step Approach:

• Analyze the Prompt: Understand the key elements of the prompt. Here, the focus is on the impact of social media on relationships.
• Gather Sources: Collect at least three credible sources that discuss social media and interpersonal relationships.
• Identify Common Themes: Look for recurring themes in the sources, such as communication patterns, emotional effects, and social dynamics.
• Formulate a Thesis: Develop a thesis statement that reflects your synthesized understanding. For example: "While social media can enhance communication, it often leads to superficial interactions and decreased face-to-face engagement, ultimately affecting the quality of interpersonal relationships."
• Create an Outline.

Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

Argumentative synthesis essays require you to take a stance on an issue and support it with evidence from multiple sources. Here are some topics to consider:

• Should College Education be Free for All?
• Is the Death Penalty an Effective Deterrent to Crime?
• Should Governments Regulate Social Media Platforms?
• Is Universal Basic Income a Viable Solution to Poverty?
• Should Animal Testing be Banned in Scientific Research?
• Is Climate Change Primarily Driven by Human Activity?
• Should Healthcare be Considered a Human Right?
• Is Censorship Justifiable in the Age of Information?
• Should Voting be Mandatory in Democratic Societies?
• Are GMO Foods Safe for Human Consumption?

Final Thoughts

Crafting a synthesis essay involves not only selecting a compelling topic but also synthesizing information from various sources to support a coherent argument. By understanding the components of a synthesis essay and exploring the wide array of synthesis essay topics provided, you can develop a strong foundation for your next essay. Whether you’re tackling social issues, environmental concerns, technological advancements, health matters, or political debates, the key is to stay organized, critically evaluate your sources, and present a balanced argument.

By leveraging these topic ideas provided, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of synthesis essays and achieving academic success.

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Synthesis Essay Topics: Exciting and Trendy Ideas

When composing essays for academic purposes, you are usually expected to collect data and arrange it in an orderly. However, there is an additional layer of complexity when it comes to writing a synthesis essay . Not only do you require the proper abilities, but a compelling topic is also necessary. ‍ Selecting strong topics for your synthesis essay can significantly elevate your marks. This is because presenting a unique perspective on a topic captivates your audience and highlights your innovative thinking. However, with a plethora of subjects available, it can be quite daunting to select one. Rest assured, this is a common sentiment among students. To assist you, our essay writer offers straightforward advice on selecting the ideal topic from our meticulously selected collection.

6 Tips on How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic

In selecting topics for a synthesis essay, your instructor may occasionally assign a specific topic, while you can pick one at other times. If you find yourself among the fortunate ones who can choose their topic, making a decision can be challenging. Here are some tips from our research paper service to help you out:

• Select a Topic That Intrigues You : Writing can be a more enjoyable experience when it revolves around a subject that piques your interest. Therefore, opt for an area that captivates and stimulates your desire to delve deeper.
• Steer Clear of Overly General Subjects : Expansive themes such as climate change or technology are excessively broad for a solitary essay. Focus on a narrower topic so you can explore it thoroughly and provide comprehensive coverage.
• Search for a Controversial Subject : Ideal topics for a synthesis essay are those that spark conversation. Seek out an issue that divides opinions. A topic that garners universal agreement won't lead to a captivating essay.
• Select a Subject Open to Evolution: Opt for a topic that invites the emergence of fresh perspectives or enhancements. Your goal should be to propose potential modifications or advancements from your study rather than simply reiterating well-known facts.
• Consider your readers: Reflect upon the individuals who will peruse your composition. Opt for subjects for your synthesis essay that will capture their interest or bear significance to them. It is essential to consider your readers while choosing your subject matter.
• Verify Resource Availability: Ensure sufficient references and materials for your selected subject. Having ample information at your disposal will simplify the process of composing your essay, as it will provide substantial evidence to bolster your points.

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200+ Best Synthesis Essay Topic Ideas

Are you looking to explore our list of synthesis essay topics? If you're searching for new, thought-provoking prompts or desire pre-constructed subjects for your essay, look no further. Our coursework writing service offers a wide-ranging list of prompts to suit all tastes!

Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

If you're looking for argumentative topics for synthesis essay, you have to convince your readers of your stance. And don't forget you'll need to back up your thesis statement with evidence. 

• Stricter gun control laws are essential to reduce gun violence and ensure public safety.
• Universal healthcare is a fundamental human right and should be provided to all citizens.
• Affirmative action policies are necessary to address systemic inequalities and promote diversity.
• Legalizing and regulating recreational drugs can reduce crime and improve public health outcomes.
• Implementing stricter immigration policies is crucial for national security and sovereignty.
• Comprehensive sex education programs in schools are vital to prevent teenage pregnancies and STIs.
• Carbon taxes are necessary to combat climate change and incentivize sustainable practices.
• Technology companies must face stricter regulations to protect user privacy and combat misinformation.
• Universal basic income is essential to address income inequality and mitigate automation's impact.
• Stricter regulations on the food industry are needed to combat obesity and promote healthier lifestyles.
• Comprehensive climate change policies are urgent to protect the environment and future generations.
• Access to quality education should be universal to promote social mobility and reduce inequality.
• Legalizing euthanasia can provide individuals with autonomy over end-of-life decisions.
• Animal testing is unethical and should be replaced with alternative methods.
• Corporal punishment in schools should be abolished as it promotes violence and has long-term negative effects on students.

Good Topics for a Synthesis Essay

• The role of microfinance in empowering women in developing countries.
• Examining the relationship between food insecurity and obesity in low-income communities.
• The ethical implications of data privacy and surveillance in the digital age.
• The impact of social media activism on real-world social and political change.
• Exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity in the arts.
• Analyzing the effects of gentrification on urban communities and local economies.
• Synthesizing indigenous knowledge systems with modern environmental conservation practices.
• Exploring the benefits and challenges of remote work in the post-pandemic era.
• Analyzing the impact of music streaming platforms on the music industry and artist compensation.
• The role of cultural appropriation in fashion and its effects on marginalized communities.
• Synthesizing the benefits and risks of cryptocurrency adoption in mainstream finance.
• The impact of social entrepreneurship on addressing social and environmental challenges.
• Exploring the connections between biodiversity loss and emerging infectious diseases.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of community policing strategies in reducing crime and improving police-community relations.
• Synthesizing the benefits and challenges of renewable energy transition in rural communities.

Fun Synthesis Essay Topics

• The rise of urban gardening: sustainability and community engagement.
• The art of upcycling: creativity and environmental consciousness.
• Exploring the world of tiny homes: minimalism and efficient living.
• The joy of foraging: nature exploration and culinary adventures.
• The art of hand lettering: expression and fine motor skills.
• Rediscovering analog photography: nostalgia and artistic expression.
• The allure of vintage fashion: style and sustainability.
• The revival of traditional crafts: cultural heritage and modern creativity.
• The magic of urban beekeeping: conservation and delicious honey.
• Exploring the art of parkour: athleticism and creative movement.
• The joy of geocaching: outdoor adventure and modern technology.
• The wonder of bioluminescence: marine biology and natural beauty.
• The art of fire-spinning: performance art and skillful manipulation.
• Rediscovering lost recipes: culinary history and gastronomic exploration.
• The joy of wild swimming: nature immersion and exhilarating experiences.

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

• Explaining the theory of evolution by natural selection.
• The impact of globalization on cultural diversity.
• Understanding the principles of democracy in government.
• The benefits of regular exercise for overall health and well-being.
• The causes and consequences of climate change.
• Explaining the process of photosynthesis in plants.
• The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships.
• Understanding the principles of supply and demand in economics.
• Explaining the water cycle and its importance for ecosystems.
• The effects of stress on mental and physical health.
• Explaining the concept of renewable energy sources.
• The role of enzymes in biological processes.
• Understanding the process of cellular respiration in living organisms.
• Explaining the concept of human rights and their importance.
• The process of DNA replication and its significance in genetics.

Global Economy

• The impact of globalization on the global economy: Synthesizing benefits and challenges.
• Trade agreements and their influence on international commerce: A comprehensive analysis.
• Exploring the role of multinational corporations in shaping the global economy.
• The effects of currency exchange rates on global trade and investment.
• The role of emerging markets in driving global economic growth: Synthesizing recent trends.
• International financial institutions and their impact on the global economy.
• Global supply chains: Analyzing their resilience and vulnerabilities.
• The influence of technological advancements on the global economy: Synthesizing innovation and disruption.
• Income inequality in the global economy: Examining causes and consequences.
• The economics of climate change: Synthesizing the impact on the global economy.
• Migration and its economic implications: Synthesizing labor market dynamics and social effects.
• The role of government policies in promoting economic development in developing countries.
• Economic crises and their ripple effects on the global economy: Synthesizing lessons from past events.
• Sustainable development goals and their significance for the global economy: Synthesizing efforts towards achieving economic, social, and environmental objectives.
• The future of the global economy: Synthesizing predictions and potential challenges in the 21st century.
• The impact of interest rates on personal finance: A synthesis of economic principles.
• Exploring the role of budgeting in financial management: Strategies for effective budgeting.
• Understanding the basics of investing: Synthesizing key concepts for beginners.
• The influence of inflation on purchasing power: Implications for financial planning.
• Debt management strategies: Synthesizing approaches to reduce and manage debt.
• The importance of emergency funds in financial stability: Building a safety net.
• Retirement planning: Synthesizing strategies for long-term financial security.
• The role of credit scores in financial health: Understanding creditworthiness.
• Exploring the psychology of money: Synthesizing behavioral finance principles.
• The impact of financial literacy on economic empowerment: Strategies for education.
• Tax planning and optimization: Synthesizing strategies to minimize tax liability.
• Financial planning for major life events: Synthesizing strategies for buying a home, starting a family, etc.
• Risk management in investments: Synthesizing approaches to mitigate investment risks.
• The influence of economic cycles on personal finance: Strategies for navigating market volatility.
• Ethical considerations in financial decision-making: Synthesizing principles for responsible investing and spending.

Human Health

• The impact of exercise on overall health and well-being: A synthesis of recent research.
• Exploring the relationship between diet and health outcomes: Insights from nutritional science.
• The role of sleep in maintaining optimal health: Integrating findings from sleep studies.
• Mental health and its influence on physical well-being: Examining the mind-body connection.
• Preventive healthcare measures: Evaluating their effectiveness in promoting long-term health.
• The importance of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases: A comprehensive analysis.
• Environmental factors and human health: Assessing the impact of pollution and climate change.
• The role of genetics in determining individual health risks and outcomes.
• Access to healthcare services: Addressing disparities and improving health equity.
• The effects of stress on human health: Strategies for stress management and prevention.
• Chronic disease management: Exploring interventions to improve quality of life.
• Aging and health: Understanding the physiological changes and promoting healthy aging.
• The influence of social determinants on health disparities: A synthesis of sociological research.
• Integrative medicine approaches: Combining conventional and alternative therapies for holistic health.
• Public health interventions: Analyzing their effectiveness in promoting population health.

Cultural Diversity

• Celebrating cultural diversity in schools: Strategies for promoting inclusivity.
• Exploring the influence of multiculturalism on contemporary art and literature.
• The role of food in cultural identity: Examining the diversity of global cuisines.
• Cultural festivals and their significance in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
• Music as a universal language: How diverse musical traditions connect people worldwide.
• The impact of globalization on cultural diversity: Challenges and opportunities.
• Language diversity and its role in shaping cultural identities.
• Traditional clothing and its significance in preserving cultural heritage.
• Cultural exchange programs: Promoting understanding and appreciation across borders.
• The representation of cultural diversity in media and entertainment.
• Religious diversity and its influence on societal norms and values.
• The importance of cultural competency in healthcare and social services.
• Folklore and oral traditions: Preserving cultural heritage through storytelling.
• Indigenous cultures and their contributions to global diversity.
• The role of education in promoting respect for cultural differences and combating stereotypes.

Criminal Justice System

• The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism rates.
• Examining racial disparities in sentencing within the criminal justice system.
• Community policing: Evaluating its impact on crime prevention and trust-building.
• The role of technology in improving criminal justice system efficiency.
• Alternatives to incarceration: Exploring restorative justice approaches.
• Mental health in the criminal justice system: Addressing treatment and support.
• The impact of mandatory minimum sentences on the justice system.
• Drug policy reform and its effects on criminal justice outcomes.
• The role of forensic science in criminal investigations and court proceedings.
• Juvenile justice reform: Assessing approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration.
• The intersection of poverty and the criminal justice system: Analyzing systemic issues.
• The influence of media portrayal on public perception of the criminal justice system.
• Police accountability and oversight mechanisms: Examining recent reforms.
• Pretrial detention and bail reform: Balancing public safety and individual rights.
• International comparisons of criminal justice systems: Lessons for reform and improvement.

Mental Health

• The role of social support networks in managing anxiety and depression.
• Exploring the connection between diet and mental health: A comprehensive analysis.
• Technology's influence on mental health: Integrating findings from psychology and technology studies.
• Examining the efficacy of mindfulness and meditation practices in reducing stress.
• Understanding the relationship between sleep quality and mental wellness.
• The effects of nature exposure on mental health: A synthesis of environmental psychology research.
• Cultural perspectives on mental health: Comparing Eastern and Western approaches.
• Exploring the stigma surrounding mental illness and its impact on treatment-seeking behavior.
• The intersection of trauma and mental health: Insights from psychology and neuroscience.
• The impact of exercise on mental well-being: A synthesis of recent studies.
• The role of genetics in predisposing individuals to mental health disorders.
• Substance abuse and its implications for mental health: A synthesis of addiction and psychology research.
• The influence of socioeconomic status on mental health outcomes.
• Examining the effectiveness of therapy modalities in treating various mental health conditions.
• Gender differences in the manifestation and treatment of mental health disorders.

Political Discourse

• Political discourse and its effects on social cohesion: Lessons from recent events.
• The role of fact-checking in combating misinformation in political discourse.
• Analyzing the use of fear and emotion in political messaging.
• The impact of political rhetoric on public opinion: Analyzing recent examples.
• Exploring the role of social media in shaping political discourse.
• The influence of political advertising on voter behavior.
• Examining the polarization of political discourse in the digital age.
• The portrayal of political leaders in the media: A synthesis of media studies and political science.
• Exploring the relationship between political discourse and trust in government.
• The impact of identity politics on contemporary political discourse.
• The role of humor and satire in political commentary.
• Investigating the influence of conspiracy theories on political discourse.
• The intersection of religion and politics in public discourse.
• Examining the language of diplomacy in international political discourse.
• The effects of censorship and free speech restrictions on political discourse.

Artificial Intelligence

• The applications of artificial intelligence in everyday life: A comprehensive overview.
• The impact of AI on job markets: Exploring automation and workforce dynamics.
• Ethical considerations in AI development and deployment: Analyzing recent controversies.
• Understanding machine learning algorithms: Simplifying complex concepts for general audiences.
• AI in healthcare: Examining its potential benefits and challenges.
• The role of AI in combating climate change: Innovations and opportunities.
• AI and privacy concerns: Balancing innovation with data protection.
• Exploring the future of transportation with autonomous vehicles and AI.
• AI in education: Enhancing learning experiences and personalized instruction.
• The use of AI in predictive analytics: Transforming industries and decision-making processes.
• AI and creativity: Exploring AI-generated art, music, and literature.
• Bias in AI algorithms: Addressing issues of fairness and inclusivity.
• The intersection of AI and cybersecurity: Assessing risks and advancements.
• AI in agriculture: Improving efficiency and sustainability in food production.
• The role of AI in humanitarian efforts and disaster response.

AP Lang Synthesis Essay Topics

Last but not least, if you aim for a successful exam, practicing with various synthesis essay AP Lang topics beforehand is key.

• Will smart cities worsen income inequality?
• What measures can we take to reduce air pollution?
• Should consumers bear responsibility for climate change?
• Is education equally accessible to everyone?
• Do minority workers encounter fewer career opportunities?
• Do dress codes infringe on freedom of expression?
• What underpins the concept of the American dream?
• Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 16?
• What actions should we take to combat global warming?
• Are democracy and capitalism compatible systems?
• Is Instagram detrimental to teenagers' mental health?
• Are international agreements effective in addressing global warming?
• How has the internet transformed political landscapes?
• Should elected officials face term limits?
• How does modern technology contribute to social isolation?
• Do minority groups face barriers to accessing higher education?
• Does artificial intelligence enhance workers' productivity?
• Does academic performance accurately reflect students' progress?
• Do all academic articles automatically have credibility?
• Are minority workers able to achieve the American dream?

Essentially, topics for synthesis essays allow you to explore various aspects related to culture, society, and moral principles. If you're interested in the morality of the corporate world or the impact of technology on our lives, these themes offer ample food for thought. Select a topic and begin crafting your essay!

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• A Research Guide
• Essay Topics

120 Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis health essay topics:.

• The impact of technology on mental health: A synthesis of current research
• Exploring the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health: A synthesis of evidence
• The role of exercise in preventing chronic diseases: A synthesis of recent studies
• The effects of stress on the immune system: A synthesis of scientific literature
• The benefits and risks of alternative medicine: A synthesis of diverse perspectives
• The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem: A synthesis of empirical studies
• The role of genetics in determining susceptibility to certain diseases: A synthesis of genetic research
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in reducing anxiety and depression: A synthesis of clinical trials
• The impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive function and overall health: A synthesis of sleep research
• The role of vaccinations in preventing infectious diseases: A synthesis of scientific evidence
• The effects of air pollution on respiratory health: A synthesis of epidemiological studies
• The benefits and risks of using pharmaceutical drugs for mental health treatment: A synthesis of clinical trials
• The impact of socioeconomic status on access to healthcare and health outcomes: A synthesis of socioeconomic research
• The role of nutrition in promoting brain health and preventing cognitive decline: A synthesis of nutritional studies
• The effects of smoking on lung health and overall well-being: A synthesis of epidemiological and clinical research

Synthesis Education Essay Topics:

• The impact of technology on education: A synthesis of its benefits and drawbacks
• The role of critical thinking in the modern education system: A synthesis of theories and practices
• The effectiveness of online learning platforms: A synthesis of research studies
• The importance of inclusive education: A synthesis of strategies and outcomes
• The influence of standardized testing on student learning: A synthesis of perspectives
• The integration of arts education in STEM subjects: A synthesis of approaches and outcomes
• The benefits of project-based learning: A synthesis of research and case studies
• The role of parental involvement in student achievement: A synthesis of theories and evidence
• The impact of socioeconomic status on educational opportunities: A synthesis of research findings
• The effectiveness of differentiated instruction in meeting diverse student needs: A synthesis of strategies and outcomes
• The role of teacher-student relationships in fostering positive learning environments: A synthesis of theories and practices
• The impact of early childhood education on long-term academic success: A synthesis of research studies
• The benefits of multicultural education in promoting diversity and inclusion: A synthesis of approaches and outcomes
• The role of educational policies in addressing educational inequalities: A synthesis of perspectives and evidence
• The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes: A synthesis of research and case studies

Synthesis Psychology Essay Topics:

• The impact of nature vs nurture on personality development
• The role of cognitive dissonance in decision-making processes
• The effects of social media on self-esteem and body image
• The relationship between stress and physical health
• The influence of culture on perception and cognition
• The role of attachment styles in adult romantic relationships
• The effects of childhood trauma on mental health in adulthood
• The impact of social support on mental well-being
• The relationship between sleep deprivation and cognitive functioning
• The effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction
• The role of neurotransmitters in mood disorders
• The influence of parenting styles on child development
• The effects of technology addiction on mental health
• The relationship between personality traits and job satisfaction
• The impact of social isolation on mental health in the elderly

Synthesis Environment Essay Topics:

• The impact of climate change on biodiversity
• The role of renewable energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• The effects of deforestation on global warming
• The relationship between pollution and human health
• The importance of sustainable agriculture in preserving the environment
• The role of technology in promoting environmental sustainability
• The challenges and benefits of transitioning to a circular economy
• The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems
• The role of government policies in addressing environmental issues
• The connection between urbanization and environmental degradation
• The effects of air pollution on climate change
• The role of education in promoting environmental awareness
• The impact of overfishing on marine biodiversity
• The relationship between population growth and environmental sustainability
• The importance of conserving water resources for future generations

Synthesis Technology Essay Topics:

• The impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work
• The role of virtual reality in enhancing learning experiences
• The ethical implications of gene editing technology
• The potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing financial systems
• The integration of robotics in healthcare: benefits and challenges
• The influence of social media on political discourse and public opinion
• The use of biometric identification systems for enhanced security
• The implications of 3D printing technology on manufacturing industries
• The role of nanotechnology in advancing medical treatments
• The impact of autonomous vehicles on transportation systems and urban planning
• The potential of renewable energy technologies in combating climate change
• The ethical considerations of using facial recognition technology in surveillance
• The integration of augmented reality in enhancing customer experiences
• The implications of quantum computing on data security and encryption
• The role of big data analytics in improving business decision-making processes

Synthesis Philosophy Essay Topics:

• The synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophical traditions
• The role of synthesis in resolving philosophical dualities
• Synthesizing rationalism and empiricism: finding a balanced approach
• The synthesis of existentialism and stoicism: embracing freedom and acceptance
• Synthesizing ethics and aesthetics: exploring the relationship between beauty and morality
• The synthesis of materialism and idealism: reconciling the physical and metaphysical realms
• Synthesizing determinism and free will: finding agency within a deterministic universe
• The role of synthesis in bridging the gap between science and spirituality
• Synthesizing individualism and collectivism: balancing personal autonomy and social responsibility
• The synthesis of skepticism and faith: navigating the boundaries of belief and doubt
• Synthesizing feminism and existentialism: exploring the intersection of gender and existential philosophy
• The role of synthesis in reconciling the mind-body problem
• Synthesizing pragmatism and transcendentalism: finding practical meaning in the transcendent
• The synthesis of Eastern philosophies
• Synthesizing postmodernism and critical theory: deconstructing power structures while seeking social transformation

Synthesis History Essay Topics:

• The impact of the Industrial Revolution on social and economic structures
• The role of nationalism in the outbreak of World War I
• The effects of colonialism on indigenous cultures and societies
• The influence of the Enlightenment on the American Revolution
• The causes and consequences of the French Revolution
• The role of religion in shaping medieval European society
• The impact of the Renaissance on art, science, and literature
• The significance of the Silk Road in connecting civilizations
• The effects of the Cold War on global politics and alliances
• The role of women in the suffrage movement
• The impact of the printing press on the spread of knowledge during the Renaissance
• The causes and consequences of the Protestant Reformation
• The influence of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations on modern Western society
• The effects of imperialism on African nations during the 19th and 20th centuries
• The role of technology in shaping the outcome of World War II

Synthesis Sociology Essay Topics:

• The impact of social media on interpersonal relationships
• The role of gender in shaping societal norms and expectations
• The effects of globalization on cultural identity
• The relationship between education and social mobility
• The influence of mass media on public opinion and political behavior
• The dynamics of power and inequality in contemporary society
• The role of religion in shaping social values and behaviors
• The impact of immigration on social integration and cultural diversity
• The intersectionality of race, class, and gender in shaping social experiences
• The effects of technology on social interactions and communication patterns
• The role of family structure in shaping individual development and socialization
• The impact of social movements on social change and political activism
• The relationship between crime and social inequality
• The influence of social institutions on individual behavior and societal norms
• The effects of urbanization on community dynamics and social cohesion

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Spooktacular halloween writing prompts that will blow your gourd clean off, essay topics on black friday history for students, top-250 topics for synthesis essays every student should know.

Synthesis essays are a type of academic writing that require a deep understanding of a subject matter. They involve critically analyzing and evaluating a wide range of information, sources, and arguments to present a unique perspective or insight on a particular topic. Below we present some practical tips how to select suitable topics for synthesis essays.

The process of creating a synthesis essay involves extensive research, critical thinking, and the ability to effectively organize and present information in a clear and concise manner. It is a challenging task that requires a significant investment of time, effort, and skill to complete successfully. Overall, synthesis essays are a complex and demanding assignment that requires a high level of knowledge and expertise to execute effectively.

Selecting best essay writing topics for a synthesis essay can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a long list of options. One way to approach this task is to start by narrowing down the list of topics to those that are most relevant and interesting to you. Consider your own interests, experiences, and expertise, and look for topics that align with them. Once you have a shorter list of potential topics, you can then begin to evaluate each one based on its potential for providing a unique and insightful perspective on the subject matter. To refine your writing and ensure clarity in your expression, using a sentence rewriter tool can be helpful during this process.

Consider the available sources, research and data available on that topic, you can also think about the potential audience and the purpose of the essay. You can also evaluate the potential challenges and limitations of each topic and pick the one that you think you will be able to write most effectively and persuasively about. Another approach is to brainstorm and come up with your own topic that is unique and interesting to you.

Ultimately, the key is to choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you feel confident in your ability to research and write about effectively. With the right topic, your synthesis essay will be engaging, informative, and well-argued.

Here is a list of top-250 topics for synthesis essays relevant to students this year!

25 Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

• Is the death penalty an effective solution to reducing violent crime?
• Is it necessary to reform the bail system in order to improve the U.S. criminal justice system?
• Should the government provide free higher education as a right for all citizens?
• Is the current tax system fair and just for all members of society?
• Does the presence of school resource officers effectively prevent mass shootings?
• Should mental health services be covered by insurance without additional cost?
• Should harm reduction programs receive funding from the government?
• Are large corporations paying their fair share of taxes?
• Should there be a complete ban on plastics?
• Should access to medical care be a basic human right for all individuals?
• How accurate and reliable is forensic science?
• Should government institutions adopt the use of blockchain technology?
• Should voting be made mandatory for all eligible citizens?
• Does the bail system perpetuate income inequality?
• Should vaccinations be made mandatory for all citizens?
• Is there a continued need for the existence of the British monarchy?
• Do dress codes in educational institutions effectively reduce bullying?
• Should the practice of euthanasia be legalized?
• Are unpaid internships ethical and fair to workers?
• Should stricter gun control laws be implemented to increase public safety?
• Should public transportation be nationalized to improve accessibility and affordability?
• Should the teaching of creationism be allowed in public schools?
• Is reducing meat consumption necessary to combat climate change?
• Should the government have a monopoly in certain industries?
• Should bullfighting be banned as a form of animal cruelty?

20 Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

• How do AI algorithms acquire the ability to generate unique images?
• Can you explain the process of union busting?
• Do harm reduction centers effectively address drug addiction?
• What are some effective solutions for addressing homelessness?
• What is the most probable scenario for global warming?
• Are carbon offset programs an efficient means of combating climate change?
• What are the most viable alternatives to fossil fuels for electricity production?
• How does playing violent video games influence players’ behavior?
• Can you explain the concept of smart cities?
• Would a shift to electric cars effectively reduce air pollution?
• How do conspiracy theories propagate?
• How has the pandemic affected the rates of depression among young people?
• Why is the census important for the proper functioning of a country?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using voting machines?
• Can you describe the opioid epidemic?
• How does humanity responsibly dispose of nuclear waste?
• What are the potential dangers of corporate consolidation?
• What are some effective methods for increasing knowledge retention?
• How successful has the Paris Agreement been in addressing climate change?
• Can you explain the concept of net neutrality?

25 Synthesis Essay Topics on Finance

• Are the costs of rent becoming excessively high?
• What factors have contributed to the rising prices of real estate properties?
• Can financial incentives for businesses play a role in combating climate change?
• From an economic perspective, which gift offers the best value for the recipient?
• How should the unemployment rate be calculated?
• How should monetary policy take into account the inflation rate?
• What methods do wealthy individuals use to avoid paying taxes?
• Are stimulus checks an effective means of stimulating the economy?
• How does inflation affect the money supply?
• Why is the U.S. dollar the most widely traded currency in the world?
• What are the underlying causes of inflation?
• How did the pandemic lead to long-lasting disruptions in global supply chains?
• Why do healthcare costs tend to be higher in the U.S. than in other countries?
• Does a gender wage gap exist in your country?
• Do social benefits play a role in reducing poverty rates?
• Should the central bank aim for a fixed exchange rate?
• Does the stock market accurately reflect a company’s true value?
• Can monopolies offer benefits for consumers?
• What were the causes of the 2007-2008 financial crisis?
• How does psychology influence consumer purchasing decisions?
• Are cryptocurrencies a speculative bubble?
• How has climate change impacted the global economy?
• As an individual, what are some effective strategies for investing your money?
• How can one best manage personal debt?
• What are the indicators of an impending recession?

25 Controversial Topics for Synthesis Essays

• Should schools incorporate the teaching of critical race theory in their curriculum?
• Should individuals who are incarcerated lose the right to vote?
• Does mass media contribute to the promotion of racism?
• Should the use of PFAS be prohibited?
• Should facial recognition technology be employed by law enforcement agencies?
• Is the American Dream attainable for the average U.S. citizen?
• Should judges be appointed through an electoral process?
• Should the right to abortion be explicitly outlined in the constitution?
• Can all scientific research be deemed trustworthy?
• Does Facebook pose a threat to users’ privacy?
• Should smoking be prohibited for younger generations?
• Does government surveillance enhance national security?
• Should scholarships awarded on the basis of athletic ability continue to exist?
• Should the state or individuals be responsible for covering the cost of retirement?
• Are vegetarian and vegan diets considered healthy options?
• Should student loan debt be pardoned?
• Should gambling be legalized?
• Is affirmative action an effective means of addressing racial inequalities in higher education?
• Should companies continue to target children in their advertising?
• Should the existence of zoos be banned?
• Can technology perpetuate racism?
• Should developed countries accept climate refugees?
• Should the option to vote online be allowed?
• Should playing violent video games be restricted to individuals over the age of 18?
• Should workers deemed “essential” receive a higher minimum wage than other workers?

20 History Synthesis Essay Topics

• How did European powers manage to colonize Africa and establish their control over the continent?
• What factors led to the eventual fall of colonial systems in Africa and other parts of the world?
• What led to the emergence of the hippie counterculture movement in the 1960s and 1970s?
• Prior to the invention of photography, how did people capture and preserve images?
• At what point in history should slavery be considered abolished?
• How have religious conflicts and divisions led to wars throughout history?
• What were the significant impacts of the Industrial Revolution on society, economy, and culture?
• How has the field of psychology developed and evolved as a science over time?
• How and when did women gain the right to vote in different countries around the world?
• What factors contributed to the unprecedented death tolls of World War I and World War II?
• What has been the lasting impact of Karl Marx’s works and ideas on society and politics?
• How did the British Empire lose its grip on most of its colonies and territories?
• What led to the decline and eventual dissolution of the Roman Empire?
• What was the most severe economic crisis of modern history?
• How has education evolved since the 18th century, in terms of access, curriculum, and teaching methods?
• What were the reasons given by the U.S. government for the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II?
• What are some of the most significant pandemics in history and how did they change the world?
• How has feminism influenced the fashion industry?
• What is the history and background of the punk movement?
• How did certain countries acquire nuclear weapons and become recognized as nuclear powers?

25 Research Synthesis Essay Topics

• What potential health risks do PFAS chemicals pose for humans?
• Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) harmful to human health and the environment?
• What is the most effective way to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease?
• How does tobacco use impact the human body?
• Which industry is the largest consumer of water resources?
• What are the effects of imprisonment on human behavior and well-being?
• What is the impact of global sporting events on the environment, in terms of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions?
• What are some alternatives to Li-Ion batteries that are more efficient?
• Why are beavers considered important for maintaining healthy ecosystems?
• How do dementia villages impact the lives of their residents?
• What is the impact of beauty culture on the self-esteem of young women?
• Why do humans have the ability to cry?
• Are non-violent protests effective in bringing about social change?
• Is vaping as harmful as smoking cigarettes?
• Why do cats have the ability to land on their feet in almost all situations?
• Does having a college degree still matter in the job market?
• Do charter school students generally score better or worse than traditional public school students?
• Which cognitive biases impact our decision-making as consumers?
• Is access to medical care equal for all citizens in your country?
• How does climate change impact life expectancy?
• Which cities are at risk of permanent flooding due to rising sea levels caused by global warming?
• How does deforestation impact biodiversity and ecosystems?
• What are antioxidants and why are they important for human health?
• Does fracking have negative impacts on the environment?
• What are invasive species and how do they affect native ecosystems?

20 Food Synthesis Essay Topics

• Why is it important to maintain a balanced diet for overall health and well-being?
• What are the negative effects of consuming excessive amounts of sugar on human health?
• Can taking vitamin C prevent or cure a common cold?
• What is the importance of dietary fiber for human health?
• Should individuals take dietary supplements as part of their regular diet?
• What types of foods can help improve cognitive function?
• How does food production contribute to global warming and climate change?
• Why is food central to the culture and daily life of French people?
• What are the essential nutrients that humans require in their diet?
• Why do different foods have different taste profiles?
• How does one’s diet reflect their social class and economic status?
• What is the impact of consuming fast food regularly on the human body?
• How much water is it recommended for individuals to drink on a daily basis?
• What does the typical diet of an average American consist of?
• How does becoming a vegetarian impact the human body?
• Is snacking regularly bad for one’s health?
• How does becoming a vegan impact one’s health?
• How many servings of fruits and vegetables should be included in a healthy diet?
• Why do different nations and cultures have unique and distinct cuisines?
• What is the concept of food security and why is it important?

20 Synthesis Essay Topics About the Internet

• Has the widespread use of the internet had a positive impact on everyday life?
• Does Facebook and other social media platforms have the potential to influence democratic elections?
• Are social media platforms a genuine threat to the mental health of teenage girls?
• Is videoconferencing an effective substitute for in-person meetings?
• Does social media contribute to discrimination against minority groups?
• Should social media platforms be allowed to host violent content?
• Should violent content on social media be reviewed by human moderators?
• Should social media users be encouraged to provide sources for their claims?
• Does social media contribute to peer pressure among college students?
• Has the internet had a positive impact on academic performance?
• Does internet access provide equal opportunities for education?
• Should internet access be considered a basic human right?
• Has the internet helped to reduce the wealth gap?
• Does social media lead to increased social isolation?
• Is artificial intelligence a potential threat to human artists and writers?
• Can machine learning algorithms replace human content creators?
• Can social media companies effectively combat the spread of misinformation?
• Should social media companies be held responsible for user-generated content?
• Are tech monopolies beneficial for the internet?
• Is it possible to maintain complete anonymity online?

25 Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

• What are some common techniques used to suppress voter turnout and subvert the democratic process in elections?
• How do different nations compare in terms of their carbon emissions and contributions to climate change?
• How is public shaming used in society and what are the potential consequences?
• Does automation lead to an increase in unemployment rates?
• Does a four-day workweek have a positive impact on business productivity?
• How does gerrymandering affect the election process and representation in government?
• What industries are the largest contributors to global warming?
• What is environmental racism and how does it impact marginalized communities?
• What are data broker companies and how do they collect and use personal information?
• Is cloud seeding an effective solution for addressing droughts?
• How do advertisers use the concept of “fear of missing out” (FOMO) in online shopping?
• What are failed states and what are the causes of state failure?
• What steps would be necessary to replace oil as the primary energy source in the global economy?
• Is consumerism a leading cause of global warming?
• What measures can be taken to prevent rain flooding in urban areas?
• What are the most effective ways to make a donation and have the greatest impact?
• Is recycling an effective method for reducing pollution?
• What are the best strategies for mitigating the impact of heat waves?
• How can humanity establish a colony on Mars?
• Are self-driving cars ready for widespread adoption?
• How does remote work impact business productivity?
• What are the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and what are the current theories?
• What is a placebo and how does it work in medical treatment?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of project-based learning?
• How can ransomware attacks disrupt public services and what can be done to prevent them?

20 Media Synthesis Essay Topics

• How and why do media outlets use scare tactics in their reporting?
• How do media outlets with left-leaning and right-leaning political leanings compare in their use of manipulative tactics?
• Is the consolidation of local media a threat to the integrity of journalism?
• What is the tactic of “whataboutism” and how is it used in media and political discourse?
• Should native advertising be prohibited in the media?
• How do crime TV shows impact people’s perceptions of law enforcement and the criminal justice system?
• Should media outlets provide their content for free or should they charge for access?
• How does the way crime is reported in the media impact jury decisions?
• How do presidential debates impact the election process?
• What is the concept of “cancel culture” and how is it related to the media?
• How does personal bias impact reporting and the dissemination of news?
• Is investigative journalism essential for a functioning democracy?
• What are the common revenue sources for media outlets and how do they impact content?
• Does self-censorship occur in the media and if so, under what circumstances?
• What criteria should one use to evaluate the trustworthiness of a media outlet?
• What role does the media play in society?
• Should media outlets be free from advertisements?
• Does it matter who owns a media outlet and how does it affect the content produced?
• How do media outlets fact-check their content?
• Should media outlets be allowed to publish sponsored content and how might it influence the objectivity of reporting

25 AP Lang Synthesis Essay Topics

• Should the legal drinking age be lowered to 16 and what are the potential consequences?
• What actions should be taken to address global warming?
• Are democracy and capitalism compatible systems?
• Is Instagram and other social media platforms harming teenagers’ mental health?
• How effective are international agreements in addressing global warming?
• How has the internet impacted politics and the democratic process?
• Should there be term limits for elected officials?
• How does modern technology contribute to social isolation?
• Are minority groups disproportionately denied access to higher education?
• Does the use of artificial intelligence lead to increased productivity among workers?
• Does academic performance accurately reflect a student’s learning progress?
• Are all research papers reliable by default?
• Is the American dream of upward mobility and success accessible to minority groups?
• Will the development of smart cities exacerbate income inequality?
• What measures can be taken to reduce air pollution?
• Should consumers bear responsibility for climate change?
• Is education accessible to all individuals regardless of their background?
• Are minority workers disproportionately denied career opportunities?
• Do dress codes in schools and workplaces infringe on the right to self-expression?
• What is the historical context behind the concept of the American dream?
• Can artificial intelligence replace workers in any field?
• Is complete online privacy a realistic expectation?
• How do racial prejudices impact access to medical care?
• Should the average class size be reduced in schools?
• How does income inequality impact access to medical care?

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• Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix

Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix

Published on July 4, 2022 by Eoghan Ryan . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Synthesizing sources involves combining the work of other scholars to provide new insights. It’s a way of integrating sources that helps situate your work in relation to existing research.

Synthesizing sources involves more than just summarizing . You must emphasize how each source contributes to current debates, highlighting points of (dis)agreement and putting the sources in conversation with each other.

You might synthesize sources in your literature review to give an overview of the field or throughout your research paper when you want to position your work in relation to existing research.

Table of contents

Example of synthesizing sources, how to synthesize sources, synthesis matrix, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about synthesizing sources.

Let’s take a look at an example where sources are not properly synthesized, and then see what can be done to improve it.

This paragraph provides no context for the information and does not explain the relationships between the sources described. It also doesn’t analyze the sources or consider gaps in existing research.

Research on the barriers to second language acquisition has primarily focused on age-related difficulties. Building on Lenneberg’s (1967) theory of a critical period of language acquisition, Johnson and Newport (1988) tested Lenneberg’s idea in the context of second language acquisition. Their research seemed to confirm that young learners acquire a second language more easily than older learners. Recent research has considered other potential barriers to language acquisition. Schepens, van Hout, and van der Slik (2022) have revealed that the difficulties of learning a second language at an older age are compounded by dissimilarity between a learner’s first language and the language they aim to acquire. Further research needs to be carried out to determine whether the difficulty faced by adult monoglot speakers is also faced by adults who acquired a second language during the “critical period.”

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To synthesize sources, group them around a specific theme or point of contention.

As you read sources, ask:

• What questions or ideas recur? Do the sources focus on the same points, or do they look at the issue from different angles?
• How does each source relate to others? Does it confirm or challenge the findings of past research?
• Where do the sources agree or disagree?

Once you have a clear idea of how each source positions itself, put them in conversation with each other. Analyze and interpret their points of agreement and disagreement. This displays the relationships among sources and creates a sense of coherence.

Consider both implicit and explicit (dis)agreements. Whether one source specifically refutes another or just happens to come to different conclusions without specifically engaging with it, you can mention it in your synthesis either way.

Synthesize your sources using:

• Topic sentences to introduce the relationship between the sources
• Signal phrases to attribute ideas to their authors
• Transition words and phrases to link together different ideas

To more easily determine the similarities and dissimilarities among your sources, you can create a visual representation of their main ideas with a synthesis matrix . This is a tool that you can use when researching and writing your paper, not a part of the final text.

In a synthesis matrix, each column represents one source, and each row represents a common theme or idea among the sources. In the relevant rows, fill in a short summary of how the source treats each theme or topic.

This helps you to clearly see the commonalities or points of divergence among your sources. You can then synthesize these sources in your work by explaining their relationship.

If you want to know more about ChatGPT, AI tools , citation , and plagiarism , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

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Synthesizing sources means comparing and contrasting the work of other scholars to provide new insights.

It involves analyzing and interpreting the points of agreement and disagreement among sources.

You might synthesize sources in your literature review to give an overview of the field of research or throughout your paper when you want to contribute something new to existing research.

A literature review is a survey of scholarly sources (such as books, journal articles, and theses) related to a specific topic or research question .

It is often written as part of a thesis, dissertation , or research paper , in order to situate your work in relation to existing knowledge.

Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument.

In an essay or paper , each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Ryan, E. (2023, May 31). Synthesizing Sources | Examples & Synthesis Matrix. Scribbr. Retrieved September 14, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/working-with-sources/synthesizing-sources/

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• Synthesis Essay

100 Synthesis Essay Topics That Are Easy to Write

Are you looking for some inspiring synthesis essay topics? Then you are not alone: numerous students all over the world are doing the exact same thing. Synthesis essays are a common assignment in colleges and universities: they are a piece of writing where you explore a topic by drawing information from several different sources at once, using them to paint a complete and objective picture of the chosen issue.

It is helpful because you learn how to research and apply different sources of data at once, differentiating between bias and rationality in them. It’s a useful skill to have both in academic environment and life in general, so it is understandable why your professors want you to succeed in acquiring it. The problem is, to get a good mark, you should choose a winning topic first. And that’s where real difficulties appear: where to find it? How to make it interesting and how to avoid getting bored as you start working on it? We’ll provide you with these answers below.

Guide for Learning How to Choose Good Synthesis Topics

The first main question we should answer is, what are the tips for selecting an effective topic for a synthesis paper? All your other choices will depend on it. For example, you cannot start looking for sources before you know what they should be dedicated to. In fact, you might realize you won’t get an acceptable grade even before you do any work at all! Bad or uninspiring topic is a recipe for disaster. Here are four ways to avoid it.

• Understand the topic you’re choosing.  It is important to choose a topic that you enjoy and understand both. Otherwise, you’ll just frustrate yourself by trying to make sense of a subject that feels overly complex or boring. Who needs to spend hours on research? If you cannot grasp the topic, you cannot recognize good and bad points, so the whole writing process turns into a complete disaster. Pick among synthesis essay prompts that speak to you and reflect your interests: they could be related to your hobby, favorite subject, a beloved book or TV show, or even family.
• Choose a perspective.  Before you start research by sorting through different articles, you need to settle on a perspective. Remember, synthesis essays are all about combining different sources to explore a specific point. So first, you should choose what it’s going to be. Will you argue against a subject? Are you planning on supporting it? You could use this advice as a starting point for finding a topic: are there things you strongly agree or disagree with? Maybe there are online discussions you participated in recently where you stayed up late to argue? This could supply you with fresh and engaging ideas!
• Locate sources in advance.  If several topics for synthesis essays are already rolling in your mind, look for sources on them. You should make sure that there are enough credible articles with DOI or books dedicated to your subject. If you cannot find anything new and trustworthy, it is better to chance the topic and look for another option,
• Verify your choice.  If you are almost certain what you’d like writing about, discuss it with your professor. They should decide whether your choice is acceptable. If they don’t require this, talk with classmates or friends to ensure your theme sounds academic enough.

100 Inspiring Synthesis Paper Topics

Still looking for an idea as the feeling of hopelessness grows? No worries: we’ve got you covered. The list below has 100 different topics that could serve as a basis for your synthesis essay. They are further broken into ten big categories — in accordance with our survey, most students prefer to write about them, so this might make your choice easier. Read these options, copy the ones you like, and consider basing your paper on them.

Social Media and Technology Topics

Who doesn’t use social media these days? It became a valuable part of our lives and is used now not only for entertainment but also work, studying, etc. Most students will relate to synthesis essay ideas about it.

• How Did Ways of Earning Money Change with the Emergence of Platforms like YouTube?
• Marrying Someone You Met Online: Reality or Myth?
• Is There Such Thing as Privacy in the Internet?
• Evolution of People’s Communication Habits After Appearance of Social Media
• How Does Instagram Affect Global Beauty Standards?
• Technologies Made Our Lives Easier: Combination of Benefits
• Work Changed Under Technological Influence: New Possibilities
• Technology Facilitated Abuse of Employees’ Free Time
• Why Video Games Are Such a Popular Entertainment Practice
• Cheating in Classes Became More Possible with Technology

Education Synthesis Essay Ideas

Young people from all countries are concerned about their education. Explanatory synthesis essay topics below could help you explore quality, price, and overall value issues.

• American Education Is One of the Most Expensive Education Worldwide
• What Lies Behind the Concept of Pre-School?
• Why College Is the Goal of Many Young People
• Why Finding a Good Job Is Easier With Master’s Degree
• Lack of Tolerance Among College Professors: What Causes It and How Frequent It Is
• Who Invented Homework & What Its Purpose Is
• Technology Applied in Classroom: A Threat or a Treat?
• An Ideal Number of Students Per Classroom
• Role of Sport in American Education System
• Free Education: How Good It Is & On Which Principles It Functions

Synthesis Essays Toopics on Health and Medicine

It is difficult to find a person who wouldn’t be concerned about their health in the CODI year. Find related synthesis topics to write about.

• How the Nature of Coronavirus Evolved Over 2020
• Who Invented Medical Masks &  Why They Are Helpful
• Correlation between Poverty and Poor Health
• Free Healthcare in the World: Where Is It Present and How Does It Work?
• Testing Drugs on Animals: How It Started & Why It Keeps Happening
• Discuss Healthcare Act in the US along with Its Background
• People Who Work From Home and Level of Their Physical Activity
• Age Limit for Cosmetic Surgeries
• Discuss Common Views on Allowing People with Genetic Disorders to Reproduce
• Suicide Prevention Line: How Useful Is It?

Society Issues

As a society, we have our share of problems and victories. Synthesis essay topic ideas could help explore them in more depth.

• Abuse at the Workplace: What Starts It and How It Should Be Stopped
• Why Death Penalty Remains a Controversial Issue in America
• Parents Who Hire Nannies to Look After Their Children: Do They Fail as Parents?
• Stereotypes Surrounding Violence Men Suffer From Women
• What Positions Immigrants Can Count On in the US
• Who Are People That Encourage Banning of Problematic Fictional Content?
• In What Covert Ways Is Homophobia Promoted in American Society?
• Why Men Are Worried About Expressing Their Emotions Openly
• How Smoking Is Promoted Worldwide  and Why It Happens
• Do All People Receive Equal Support from the Government?

US Law and Justice System Synthesis Essays Ideas

Are you interested in law and justice? If so, check any of these argumentative synthesis essay topics.

• Why People Opposing Abortion Are Hypocritical
• How Did Capital Punishment Come to Exist in America?
• Ways of Making Sure There Are No Guns on Campus
• What Is the Harshest Legal Punishment Given For?
• Benefits of Making Prostitution Legal
• Protection for Prisoners: Could It Be Ensured?
• Is There a Disproportion Between Poor and Rich People in Prison?
• How Often Do Laws Change to Keep Up with the Times?
• Should a Person Really Be Punished for Breaking the Law If They Did Not Know They Are Doing It?
• Do Black People Really Commit More Crimes or Is There Racism Involved?

Environment Synthesis Essay Prompts

Our environment holds so much relevance that choosing synthesis prompts about it is natural.

• Reasons Behind Global Warming and Ways of Their Alleviation
• What Is an Acceptable Pollution Level in Places Where People Live?
• Do Modern Recycling Methods Improve Chances of Diminishing Pollution?
• How Nature Would Improve If People Stopped Eating Meat
• Do Real Facts Support the Alarming Picture of Nature Degradation Presented in the Media?
• How Chemical Spills Affect Oceans?
• Why Do Some People Not Believe in Climate Change?
• Which Alternative Fuels Are Cheapest Despite Being Effective?
• How Coastal Ecosystems Affect the Overall World Health?
• Do Small Individual Contributions Matter When It Comes to Saving Nature?

Art and Literature

In case you are passionate about books or art, these synthesis prompt ideas could trigger your interest.

• Could Advertisements Be Considered Art?
• Why Do People Listen to Audiobooks Instead of Reading?
• Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Literature?
• Is There Still a Need for Physical Libraries?
• Is There a Point in Writing Books When Everything Is Pirated?
• Are There Criteria Determining Which Artworks Are Good?
• Is Graffiti a Form of Modern Art?
• What Value Do Books Present to People?
• Do Musicians Really Have a Better Hearing Than Others?
• Is Fiction Distracting in a Good or Bad Way?

Synthesis Essays Topic on Ethics and Morality

Ethics and moral principles could form a solid base for generating good synthesis project ideas.

• New Facts About Old Debate: Nature vs. Nurture
• Could Torture Be Justified Under Certain Conditions?
• Could Cloning Become an Acceptable Procedure?
• Is There a Tangible Connection between Money and Happiness?
• Loving Criminals: Is It Morally Acceptable?
• Are Modern People in Full Control over Their Life?
• Which People Are More Successful, Those Who Have Talent or Who Work Hard?
• Should Protecting Animals Be a Moral Obligation of Every Person?
• Does Complaining to Others Make a Person Happier?
• What Is the Value of Gossiping?

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Synthesis Topics on Immigration and American Dream

Many people move to another country having hopes. Look at synthesis essay prompt example below and find inspiring ideas to discuss immigration topic or civil rights issue.

• Does American Dream Still Exist?
• Does Immigration Pose Any Real Danger to Americans?
• Is Eliminating Racism Entirely Possible in Our World?
• Most Common Reasons That Push People to Immigrate
• How Many Lives Has American Dream Actually Ruined?
• Why Was American Dream Invented?
• How Does Culture Change Under the Flows of Immigration?
• Discuss the Process of Emigration and Its Causes
• What Classifies as Illegal Immigration?
• How Could Happiness Be Measured?

Movies and TV

We all watch TV because it’s fun and entertaining. Check the range of these topics for synthesis essay and  complete an essay about your favorite show.

• Positive Effects Bad Endings of TV Shows Have on Their Fans
• How Can Queerbaiting Be Explained?
• Is It Possible to Become a Famous Actress On Talent Alone?
• What Transformations Did TV Undergo in the Last 10 Years?
• Does Violent Fiction Make People More Used to Violence in Real Life?
• Truth Behind Reality Shows: Are They All Fake?
• Is It Possible to Make Real Friends in a Cutthroat Entertainment Industry?
• How Was the Longest TV Show in Industry Created?
• Alternative Endings to Movies: What Is Their Purpose?
• Why Do Many Actors Grow Tired of Playing the Same Role over the Years?

Start Enjoying Your Writing by Picking the Best Topics

Have you already decided on some synthesis paper ideas? We hope our list was helpful and you’ll start your research any second now. As long as you like what you’ve chosen and have at least some degree of interest in it, things will likely go well. But if you still have doubts and are worried about writing, you could always look for extra help. We would be glad to assist you! Our team has years of experience, and they are here with one goal: help students with their tasks. So, we could supply you with good synthesis essay topics, find credible sources, or write an essay on the idea you’ve chosen. Specify your needs and we’ll do everything to meet them!

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

Want to write a winning essay but lack experience? Browse our free essay samples

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Synthesis Essay Guide

Synthesis Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 30, 2023

Top Synthesis Essay Topics & Ideas for Students

By: Nathan D.

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Apr 13, 2021

A  synthesis essay  is a piece of academic writing in which an essay writer synthesizes the information in the existing sources and creates new knowledge.

However, for a good synthesis essay, you need a great essay topic. Some students think that finding a good topic takes a lot of time and effort. Though, if you have an excellent list of essay topics, you can simply pick the one you find interesting.

Continue reading this blog, and get a complete list of good synthesis essay topics.

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How to Choose the Best Synthesis Essay Topics?

The high school and college students always get stuck with the synthesis essay topic selection phase. Choosing an interesting topic for your essay can be difficult, but it's not impossible if you follow some expert tips.

Here are some tips to help you select the best topics for a synthesis essay in no time.

• The topic should be of your audience’s interest.
• Pick a topic that is debatable and can be easily explored from different perspectives.
• The topic should be unique and fresh that have not been studied excessively.
• It should be negotiable, and the readers take more interest in these types of essays.
• Research on the topic as much as possible and then select it for your essay.

Synthesis Essay Topics 2022

An interesting synthesis essay topic not only makes your writing phase easy but it grabs the reader’s attention. For your help, we have compiled some synthesis essay ideas that you will use to impress the audience.

• How do modern workplaces affect the behavior of minority workers?
• How the use of fossil fuels impacts global warming?
• What effects does poverty have on the health of children?
• Should social media be better controlled, and how?
• How to get rid of the world of nuclear weapons?
• How listening to music while working helps you concentrate on work?
• How does YouTube affect the shopping habits of youth?
• Transformation of filmmaking in the 20th century.
• Never forgets who you are and what is essential for you.
• Are students taught skills they will need to succeed in life?

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Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

In an argumentative synthesis essay, you will combine information from multiple sources about the topic. Therefore, you will argue your own position on that topic.

However, finding the right argumentative essay topic sounds like a challenging and difficult task. But, don't panic. Below are some interesting topics that you can use for your synthesis paper.

• Do we need to legalize marijuana in America?
• How can we best fight against the obesity epidemic?
• People should have full control over their future.
• The positive impact of smaller class size on academic performance.
• Should we blame teachers if students show low results in testing?
• What should countries do to address the problem of illegal immigration?
• How does the poverty of a child's parents affect their education?
• What are the pros and cons of making friends virtually?
• Are diets as effective as they are told?
• How have video games impacted family life?

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

In an explanatory synthesis essay, you don’t need to write your personal opinion but explain the topic with strong information. Its main purpose is to help the reader to get a complete understanding of the subject.

Here are some best explanatory synthesis essay topics for your ease.

• What sports are best for those hoping to lose weight?
• The effects of social networking sites on people's life.
• Impact of technology on social lives.
• What does the learner expect most in school?
• What are the effects of health or nutrition education on children?
• How can modern technologies benefit students and their education?
• Which parts of the Constitution would you like to change and why?
• What were the key causes of the American Civil War?
• How is social media a threat to people’s privacy?
• The connection between physical and mental health.

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Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

An informative synthesis essay is different from an explanatory and argumentative synthesis essay. In this essay, an essay writer combines multiple sources to explain a particular topic or subject. Therefore, state your research purposes only with clarity.

We have collected some great topics for your help that you can use for your essay.

• Lawyers have the toughest job in the world.
• What is the significance of multicultural structuring in enterprises?
• How can gun control minimize mass shootings?
• How are minority workers treated in the workplace?
• What measures should be taken to stop cyberbullying?
• The effects of technology on the entertainment industry.
• What effect does global warming have on farming?
• The impact of American art on modern European music.
• Time has more value than money.
• Does plea bargaining in the US justice system work?

AP Lang Synthesis Essay Topics

AP Lang synthesis essay is an essential part of the AP Lang exam. It is a type of essay that requires proper research and writing.

Some students get confused when choosing the topic for their AP Lang synthesis essay and end up selecting the bad topic. Always remember that a good topic is key to a successful essay.

Check these topics and pick the best one for your essay.

• Will the problem of Global Warming be solved?
• How should we prevent future mass shootings?
• Modern technology and the building of smart cities.
• Finding the balance between privacy and online connectivity.
• Why did community service serve as an effective solution?
• Disadvantages of lowering the drinking age from 21 to 16.
• How do racial prejudices affect annual college admissions?
• Have cell phones made our lives better or worse?
• Why is city traffic increasing every year?
• Does Instagram promote stereotyping?

Now, writing a synthesis essay is not difficult if you have a great essay topic. Pick the best topic from the topics mentioned above and start writing your essay.

However, if you need professional essay writing help, consult  5StarEssays.com . We are the best essay writing service that will help you write term papers, thesis statements, and other academic assignments.

You only have to request to  write my essay  and leave all your writing stress on our writers. They have experience in writing all types of writing assignments.

So, place your  order  now and get high-quality work on time without any errors.

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Synthesis Essay

Synthesis Essay Topics

Interesting Synthesis Essay Topics You Must Consider

Published on: Dec 15, 2021

Last updated on: Jul 24, 2024

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Creative synthesis essay ideas are a great way to think outside the box. Also, at some point, your professor will ask you to write one.

Are you looking for new ideas to do best in your synthesis essay assignment?

The most important thing to do best in your essays is to come up with some creative synthesis essay topics. That’s why in this blog we'll walk you through 50+ ideas for creative synthesis essays topics in specific prompts. Now you're bound to find something that interests you! Let's get into it.

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Good Synthesis Essay Topics

Here is a list of popular synthesis essay topics in groups, which will help to narrow down your broad ideas:

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Synthesis Essay Topics on Technology

• What are the effects of machine learning on business productivity?
• Do modern technologies widen the gap between rich and poor?
• In the last 10 years, how has artificial intelligence changed the workplace?
• According to the concept of smart cities and modern technology, how will changes in transportation systems affect cities?
• What role does artificial intelligence play in the problem of overproduction?
• Do violent video games play a role in escalating real-world violence?
• How has technology evolved as a result of the advancement of artificial intelligence?
• What kind of privacy risks do drones pose?
• What are the drawbacks of cryptocurrency?
• Is technology promoting a culture of entertainment?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Education

• Should college athletes be compensated for their efforts?
• What is the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline (SPP) on the American-African community?
• What effect does class size have on students' academic performance?
• Is technology a threat to the traditional classroom?
• Should students have the ability to direct their own education?
• Should higher education be provided for free?
• How do racial biases influence annual college admissions?
• How do dress codes affect students' academic performance?
• Should K-12 teachers be allowed to carry firearms on campus?
• Is the availability of distance education affecting the number of college students on campus?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Global warming

• What role does air pollution play in global warming?
• How effective are conservation efforts in preventing the extinction of terrestrial species as a result of global warming?
• Is it true that the use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming?
• What impact does global warming have on agriculture?
• How effective will mitigation efforts be in the face of global warming and renewable energy sources?
• How can the United States be a leader in addressing the issue of global warming?
• How does the American way of life contribute to global warming?
• How does global warming contribute to the extinction of marine species?
• How is global warming threatening the Monarch Butterfly population?
• How has climate change affected people's lives over the last 50 years?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Society

• How does the modern workplace influence the behavior of minority workers?
• Is modern US society as supportive of women as it is of men?
• How should lawmakers and educators handle members of minority groups who do not adhere to mainstream behavioral patterns?
• Should parents restrict their children's access to violent content?
• Is today's juvenile justice system fueling the school-to-prison pipeline (SPP)?
• Is it time to abolish the death penalty in the United States?
• Is a college education required in today's labor market?
• Are national security considerations sufficient to warrant the US transition into a surveillance society?
• Should social media affect society?
• Should it be declared illegal to manufacture and sell tobacco?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Health

• How long can the current US healthcare system be sustained?
• What does the fact that US people seek treatment in other nations says about the healthcare service of the US?
• Should sugary drinks be made illegal in the United States due to their negative effects on human health?
• Should alternative medications be covered by insurance?
• What impact does poverty have on children's health?
• Can people's everyday routines help them improve their health and avoid visiting the doctor?
• Should insurance cover cosmetic surgeries?
• Is testing new drugs on animals ethically permissible?
• Should all inhabitants of the US be entitled to free medical care?
• Should marijuana be legalized in the United States?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Literature and Art

• Is it better to read a paper book or listen to an audiobook?
• What is the role of art in everyday life?
• What societal characteristics have the biggest impact on cinematography's evolution?
• Should electronic libraries serve as a replacement for physical libraries?
• Is there a distinction between fact and fiction?
• Is it possible to consider modern graphic video games to be works of art?
• Is fiction used to promote progress or to divert attention away from social and environmental issues?
• Is graffiti art?
• Should TV commercials be considered art?
• How does musical training affect attentiveness and concentration while learning?

Synthesis Essay Topics on Ethics and Morality

• Should customers think about a company's long-term viability before purchasing its goods?
• Should people be worried about the workers' health and working conditions?
• Does legalization of prostitution affecting the divorce rate?
• What effect does complaining have on people's happiness levels?
• Is it moral to breed genetically modified animals?
• Is there a difference between nature and nurture? Which one is important?
• Should governments around the world require animal-free circuses?
• When it comes to success, is talent more important than hard work?
• Can people become happier by amassing wealth and possessions?
• Should felons be allowed to vote?
• How much influence do people have over their own destiny?

How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic?

The decision of what topic to choose can be a difficult process for students. Some professors give a choice while others assign it. Then, some let the student have total control over their learning path.

This may sound great at first, but as we all know, when freedom comes, responsibility also comes with it.

The best approach is to stick to one idea rather than spreading yourself too thin trying to learn about every possible subject.

Here are some tips that you should consider while choosing a topic for your synthesis essay:

The most interesting research or  debate topics  are those that students spend enough time researching and writing about in-depth. This type of essay will be more engaging for the reader, as they show a genuine interest in the topic.

Students should take some time to consider what type of essay is best suited to their unique strengths.

As a freshman, it can be difficult to find your niche. One of the hardest aspects is narrowing down what you want to write about for an essay assignment.

Topics like global warming and drug abuse are too broad and not specific enough for a short piece of writing. However, the more focused the topic is, the less struggle you have to do while writing it.

The author claims that the argumentative synthesis essay topics should be debatable, bringing opposing viewpoints to light. The most compelling essays make people disagree or hesitate among available options.

Those who agree with what is proposed cannot contribute anything new and therefore have no reason for reading it.

These types of essays appeal to readers because they are controversial and provoke thought on a subject. It's important for an author who wants their audience to be engaged in what they're reading.

The world is full of fascinating and complex topics for research. When you are searching, it's important to think about the power that your project could have in its conclusions. The best projects tackle problems with room for improvement or at least point discussion-worthy. It can lead to a more interesting and creative paper because there will be no lack of material.

If you're looking for a topic for your synthesis essay, be sure it's not only intriguing but also feasible to investigate. Don’t investigate things that have already been established as apparent instead, seek potential and negotiable choices.

However, still, struggling to find a good topic for a synthesis essay that interests you? Don't hesitate to get writing help, our AI essay writer is just one click away!

Or, are you looking for a professional writer to help you out? No worries! Let CollegeEssay.org be your partner in the writing process!

Our team of essay writers is dedicated to providing the best synthesis essay writing service for students in affordable prices.

Whether you want help finding popular topics for your synthesis essay or any other writing help, just contact our professional essay writing service today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you introduce a synthesis essay.

Below are some steps that help you in writing the synthesis essay introduction. 

• First, introduce the subject. 
• Make it interesting so it can catch the reader’s attention. 
• Give some background information. 
• Set the tone to define your target audience. 

How many paragraphs is a synthesis essay?

A synthesis essay is a five-to-six paragraph paper. In rare situations, the main body may have additional paragraphs.

How to end a synthesis essay?

Here are some steps that will help you to end the synthesis essay. 

• Don't summarize; instead, synthesize. 
• Include a concise summary of the major ideas of the paper. 
• Avoid what was in your article. Instead, demonstrate to your reader how you stated the idea. 
• As well as the evidence and examples you utilized. 
• In the end, bring it all together. 

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Synthesis Essay Writing

Synthesis Essay Topics

Best Synthesis Essay Topics and Prompt Ideas

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When it comes to writing essays that blend different ideas, like synthesis essays, picking the right topic can be tricky. 

Many students struggle to find topics that are just right—interesting, but also fitting for their schoolwork.

In this blog, we're tackling this challenge. We're going to explore synthesis essay topics and help you solve the puzzle of picking the best one. 

Let's get started!

• 1. Good Synthesis Essay Topics
• 2. Synthesis Essay Topics For Students
• 3. Good Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics
• 4. Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics
• 5. Informative Synthesis Essay Topics
• 6. Research Synthesis Essay Topics
• 7. AP Language Synthesis Essay Topics
• 8. Funny Synthesis Essay Topics
• 9. Sports Synthesis Essay Topics
• 10. Persuasive Synthesis Essay Topics
• 11. Social Media Synthesis Essay Topics
• 12. Synthesis Essay Prompts
• 13. How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic?
• 14. Synthesis Essay Writing Tips

Good Synthesis Essay Topics

A synthesis essay involves students gathering information from various sources to create a distinct viewpoint on a specific topic in academic writing.

A strong synthesis essay topic is relevant to your course, embraces diverse sources, and encourages critical analysis. Here are some common synthesis essay topics:

• The Impact of Technology on Human Connection
• Exploring How Deforestation Contributes to Global Warming
• Environmental Sustainability and Its Influence on Consumer Behavior
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Public Opinion
• Analyzing the Relationship Between Air Pollution and Human Health
• Balancing Privacy and Technological Advancements in the Digital Age
• The Intersection of Nature vs. Nurture in Human Development
• The Influence of Media Representation on Social Perceptions
• Optimizing Business Productivity in the Digital Age: Strategies, Technologies,
• and Impact on Organizational Success
• Examining the Effects of Sports on Cultural Dynamics

Synthesis Essay Topics For Students

For students starting with synthesis essays, there are lots of interesting topics to explore. 

Whether you're in middle school, high school, or college, these topics are meant to help you think critically and write thoughtfully.

Here are some synthesis essay ideas for students:

Synthesis Essay Topics For Middle School

• The Impact of Hobbies on Personal Growth
• The Role of Friendship in Adolescent Years
• The Influence of Technology on Homework Habits
• Exploring Nature vs. Nurture in Teenage Identity
• The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Academic Performance
• Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media for Middle School Students
• The Role of Family in Middle School Development
• The Influence of Popular Culture on Middle School Behavior
• The Effects of Video Games on Middle Schoolers' Cognitive Skills
• The Connection Between Physical Activity and Academic Success in Middle School

Synthesis Essay Topics For High School

• Social Media and Teenage Mental Health
• The Role of Literature in Shaping Worldviews
• The Effects of Part-Time Jobs on Academic Performance
• Examining the Role of Gender Stereotypes in Teen Relationships
• The Significance of Cultural Diversity in High School Education
• The Impact of Advanced Placement (AP) Courses on College Readiness
• The Influence of Peer Pressure on High School Decision-Making
• Analyzing the Link Between Music Preferences and High School Social Groups
• The Role of High School Clubs in Personal Development
• Exploring the Impact of Teenage Employment on High School Students

Synthesis Essay Topics For College Students

• The Influence of Social Media on Career Choices
• The Impact of College Education on Economic Mobility
• Balancing Academic and Social Life in College
• The Role of Technology in Modern Learning Environments
• The Connection Between Mental Health and Academic Performance in College
• The Effects of Internships on Career Development for College Students
• Analyzing the Impact of Diversity Programs in Higher Education
• The Role of Student Organizations in College Networking
• The Influence of Cultural Exchanges on College Perspectives
• Examining the Relationship Between College Majors and Job Satisfaction

Easy Synthesis Essay Topics

• Social media and its influence on the young generation
• How is global warming affecting mother earth?
• Why do video games teach violence to kids?
• How did World War II affect Germany?
• Patriarchy vs matriarchy; what are the pros and cons of each
• How has technology made this world a global village?
• What effect does class size have on the student’s academic performance?
• What are the current social issues that need to be highlighted?
• Higher education should be free
• How does poverty affect a child’s health?
• Ethical consideration of testing new drugs on animals
• How illiteracy is damaging our society?
• Why should we buy essays from a legitimate essay writing service?
• Why do students cheat on exams?
• Advancement in technology in the last 5 years

Good Argumentative Synthesis Essay Topics

• TV commercials should be considered as an art
• Reading a book is way better than listening to an audiobook
• It is better to rehabilitate the criminals than to punish them
• People should have full control over their future
• Is it right to legalize prostitution or should it be illegal?
• Why are poor people more likely to end up in a lockup than rich people?
• Illegal immigration limits the employment opportunities for the legal residents of the country
• Does complaint culture hinder personal happiness?
• Is considering business sustainability a must before making a purchase?
• How has social media reshaped student life?

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

• How to stop the body-shaming culture?
• How to rationalize the mind of a religious fanatic?
• How violent video games lead to real-life violence
• Boys vs girls: who is more powerful?
• Why are most of the students reluctant to read coursebooks?
• Black and white vs colored TV
• Why is smoking becoming so common in teenagers?
• The effects of social networking sites on people's life
• How has artificial intelligence reduced work opportunities for people?
• How social media is a threat to people’s privacy

Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

• The benefits of getting an arts education
• The benefits technology has brought with the passage of time
• How machine learning affects productivity in business
• The effects of fossil fuels on the environment
• The placement of death penalties in developed countries
• What are the ethical implications of genetic engineering?
• Why do we need to resolve the issue of overcrowded prisons
• How scholarships help poor students get higher education
• Does life exist somewhere besides earth?
• How saving money help you become rich

Research Synthesis Essay Topics

• How is homeschooling at an early age better than sending your kids to a Montessori school?
• Should gay marriages be banned or legalized?
• Is space exploration vital to the survival of humankind?
• Does modern US society give women enough rights as they claim?
• Are reality shows on TV actually based on reality?
• How can we control internet pornography?
• Why are school dress codes mandatory?
• What role do security cameras play in the betterment of society?
• Does social media make people less social?
• What causes the divorce rate to increase in the past few years?

AP Language Synthesis Essay Topics

• The boundary line between truth and fiction
• How can we defeat poverty once and for all?
• Are students distracted by social networking sites?
• Explain why money can’t buy happiness
• Everyone should learn the basic survival skills
• Role of schools and colleges in promoting cultural diversity
• How will smart schools benefit the students in the learning process?
• Why should students choose literature as a major?
• What effects does global warming have on farming?
• How to take the culture of body shaming under control?

Funny Synthesis Essay Topics

• The Humor in Everyday Life: Exploring the Role of Laughter in Coping Mechanisms.
• The Evolution of Internet Memes: A Synthesis of Humorous Online Culture.
• The Power of Satire: Analyzing How Comedic Writing Influences Public Opinion.
• The Psychology of Stand-Up Comedy: Examining the Connection Between
• Humor and Mental Well-being.
• The Cultural Impact of Funny Advertisements: A Synthesis of Marketing and Entertainment.
• From Slapstick to Satire: Tracing the Development of Humor in Film.
• The Social Dynamics of Jokes: How Humor Strengthens Relationships.
• The Intersection of Comedy and Technology: Navigating the Digital Age with a Smile.
• Laughing Across Borders: Analyzing Cross-Cultural Humor.
• The Therapeutic Effects of Laughter: A Synthesis of Humor in Healthcare.

Sports Synthesis Essay Topics

• The Role of Sports in Building a Strong Community: A Synthesis of Social Bonds.
• The Impact of Athlete Activism: Synthesizing Perspectives on Sports and Social Change.
• The Science Behind Sports Nutrition: A Comprehensive Synthesis of Dietary Strategies.
• Sports and Education: Examining the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Academic Performance.
• The Evolution of Women's Role in Sports: A Synthesis of Gender Equality in Athletics.
• The Economics of Sports: Analyzing the Financial Dynamics of Professional Leagues.
• The Influence of Sports on Cultural Identity: A Synthesis of National Pride.
• Technology in Sports: A Comprehensive Synthesis of Innovation and Performance Enhancement.
• The Psychology of Winning: Exploring the Mental Strategies of Successful Athletes.
• The Ethics of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sports: A Synthesis of Fair Play.

Persuasive Synthesis Essay Topics

• The Impact of Social Media on Political Discourse: Persuading for Informed Online Conversations.
• Climate Change and Policy: Synthesizing Arguments for Sustainable Practices.
• The Role of Education in Shaping Social Equality: A Persuasive Synthesis.
• The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Behavior: Crafting a Persuasive Synthesis.
• Synthesizing Perspectives on Universal Healthcare: Making the Case for Accessible Medical Services.
• The Power of Storytelling in Persuasion: A Synthesis of Narrative Techniques.
• Gun Control in America: Crafting a Persuasive Synthesis for Safer Communities.
• Synthesizing Arguments for Cybersecurity: Persuading for Online Safety Measures.
• The Importance of Arts Education: Making the Case for Creative Learning.
• Synthesizing Perspectives on Immigration: Crafting a Persuasive Argument for Inclusivity.

Social Media Synthesis Essay Topics

• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Synthesis of Research Findings.
• Influencer Culture: Examining the Role of Social Media Stars in Shaping Trends.
• Synthesizing Perspectives on Online Activism: The Power of Hashtag Movements.
• The Evolution of Social Media Platforms: A Comprehensive Analysis of Changing Trends.
• The Dark Side of Social Media: A Synthesis of Cyberbullying and Online Harassment.
• The Influence of Social Media on Body Image: A Synthesis of Beauty Standards.
• Synthesizing Perspectives on Privacy in the Digital Age: Balancing Connectivity and Security.
• The Role of Social Media in Political Movements: A Comprehensive Analysis.
• Social Media and Relationships: Examining the Impact on Interpersonal Connections.
• The Business of Social Media: A Synthesis of Marketing Strategies in the Digital Landscape.

Synthesis Essay Prompts

Synthesis essays demand a unique blend of analytical skills and creativity. Here are some thought-provoking prompts for your synthesis essay:

• The Impact of Technology on Human Connection: Synthesize viewpoints on how technological advancements affect interpersonal relationships in the digital age.
• Environmental Sustainability and Economic Growth: Explore the synthesis of information on how environmental practices can contribute to or hinder economic development.
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Society: Synthesize perspectives on the benefits and challenges posed by the increasing integration of AI in our daily lives.
• Media Influence on Public Opinion: Analyze and synthesize information regarding how media shapes public perception and influences societal attitudes.
• The Relationship Between Education and Social Mobility: Synthesize insights on how education can impact an individual's social and economic trajectory.
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Explore various perspectives on the ethical implications of genetic manipulation in fields like medicine and agriculture.
• Globalization and Cultural Identity: Synthesize viewpoints on how globalization affects the preservation or evolution of cultural identities around the world.
• The Impact of Social Media on Political Activism: Analyze and synthesize information on how social media platforms contribute to political movements and activism.
• The Intersection of Science and Ethics: Synthesize perspectives on how scientific advancements raise ethical dilemmas and societal considerations.
• The Effects of Urbanization on the Environment: Explore and synthesize information on the environmental consequences of rapid urban development.

Synthesis Essay Prompts AP Lang

In the AP Lang course, synthesis essays play a crucial role in assessing students' ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources. 

Here are some AP synthesis essay topics:

• The Impact of Digital Communication on Language Synthesize information from diverse sources to explore how the rise of digital communication platforms has influenced language use and communication styles.
• The Intersection of Technology and Privacy Analyze and synthesize perspectives on the trade-offs between technological advancements and individual privacy rights in the digital age.
• Environmental Sustainability and Consumer Behavior Explore the synthesis of information on how consumer choices and behaviors impact environmental sustainability, considering perspectives from various sources.
• The Role of Education in Social Equality Synthesize insights on how educational systems contribute to or challenge social equality and opportunities for diverse socioeconomic groups.
• Media Representation and Social Perceptions Analyze and synthesize information on how media portrayals influence societal perceptions of individuals or groups, examining potential biases and stereotypes.

Synthesis Essay Prompts College Board

As outlined by the College Board, synthesis essays are a key component of the writing assessment. Below are sample prompts that align with the expectations set by the College Board for synthesis essays:

• The Impact of Social Media on Civic Engagement Synthesize information from various sources to analyze the role of social media in shaping civic engagement and political participation.
• The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Explore perspectives on the ethical considerations surrounding the use of artificial intelligence, synthesizing information on its potential benefits and risks.
• Globalization and Cultural Identity Synthesize insights from diverse sources to examine the impact of globalization on cultural identity, considering both preservation and transformation.
• The Influence of Historical Events on Contemporary Society Analyze and synthesize information on how historical events continue to shape and influence contemporary social, political, or economic structures.
• The Role of Science in Ethical Decision-Making Explore the synthesis of perspectives on how scientific advancements present ethical challenges and considerations in decision-making.

How to Choose a Synthesis Essay Topic?

Now that you have a synthesis essay topic list, you must be wondering about how to choose the best topic for your essay. Here are the tips that will help you choose a topic for your synthesis paper:

Interesting Idea

Choose a topic that interests you the most as you have to do thorough research on it.

If you choose a topic of your interest, you’re more likely to spend time researching and writing a synthesis essay.

Focused Topic

Avoid choosing a general topic like cyberbullying, global warming, cybersecurity, etc. 

These types of topics are too general and may not convey exactly what you really want to tell your audience. Instead, choose a focused topic that is specific to a point and allows you to create a complete essay.

Debatable and Negotiable Topic

Choose an interesting topic that is debatable as well as negotiable at the same time. 

People take more interest in these kinds of essays where they are allowed to present their point of view. Pick a topic that gives you room for reasonable changes.

Synthesis Essay Writing Tips

When you write an essay, keep the following tips in your mind to make your essay flawless.

• Choose a good synthesis essay prompt by considering the tips given above.
• Find touchpoints between different standpoints to make an organic synthesis.
• Spare some time for research to collect credible information about the topic from several sources
• Evaluate each source and present a relationship between the material collected through research. 
• Read some synthesis essay examples to understand the format of the essay.
• Craft a synthesis essay outline to synthesize the information
• Work out the main statement of your essay that is the thesis statement.
• Develop an organizational plan and write a rough draft.
• Cite your sources by using MLA or Chicago style formatting.
• Proofread and edit your essay to ensure that it is logical, clear, and concise from the beginning through the end. Correct all the punctuation, grammatical, and spelling mistakes.

You now have lots of great synthesis essay topics to choose from, making it easy to get started on your writing. 

But if you're still having trouble or feeling stuck, don't worry. You can always hire experts for your essay. But how?

"Can I pay someone to do my essay ?" Yes, you can! When you hire us for your essay, we'll make sure your essay is professionally written and delivered on time.

Our professional writers are experts at creating top-notch synthesis essays on any topic. 

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When you write a literature review or essay, you have to go beyond just summarizing the articles you’ve read – you need to synthesize the literature to show how it all fits together (and how your own research fits in).

Synthesizing simply means combining. Instead of summarizing the main points of each source in turn, you put together the ideas and findings of multiple sources in order to make an overall point.

At the most basic level, this involves looking for similarities and differences between your sources. Your synthesis should show the reader where the sources overlap and where they diverge.

Unsynthesized Example

Franz (2008) studied undergraduate online students. He looked at 17 females and 18 males and found that none of them liked APA. According to Franz, the evidence suggested that all students are reluctant to learn citations style. Perez (2010) also studies undergraduate students. She looked at 42 females and 50 males and found that males were significantly more inclined to use citation software ( p < .05). Findings suggest that females might graduate sooner. Goldstein (2012) looked at British undergraduates. Among a sample of 50, all females, all confident in their abilities to cite and were eager to write their dissertations.

Synthesized Example

Studies of undergraduate students reveal conflicting conclusions regarding relationships between advanced scholarly study and citation efficacy. Although Franz (2008) found that no participants enjoyed learning citation style, Goldstein (2012) determined in a larger study that all participants watched felt comfortable citing sources, suggesting that variables among participant and control group populations must be examined more closely. Although Perez (2010) expanded on Franz’s original study with a larger, more diverse sample…

Step 1: Organize your sources

After collecting the relevant literature, you’ve got a lot of information to work through, and no clear idea of how it all fits together.

Before you can start writing, you need to organize your notes in a way that allows you to see the relationships between sources.

One way to begin synthesizing the literature is to put your notes into a table. Depending on your topic and the type of literature you’re dealing with, there are a couple of different ways you can organize this.

Summary table

A summary table collates the key points of each source under consistent headings. This is a good approach if your sources tend to have a similar structure – for instance, if they’re all empirical papers.

Each row in the table lists one source, and each column identifies a specific part of the source. You can decide which headings to include based on what’s most relevant to the literature you’re dealing with.

For example, you might include columns for things like aims, methods, variables, population, sample size, and conclusion.

For each study, you briefly summarize each of these aspects. You can also include columns for your own evaluation and analysis.

The summary table gives you a quick overview of the key points of each source. This allows you to group sources by relevant similarities, as well as noticing important differences or contradictions in their findings.

Synthesis matrix

A synthesis matrix is useful when your sources are more varied in their purpose and structure – for example, when you’re dealing with books and essays making various different arguments about a topic.

Each column in the table lists one source. Each row is labeled with a specific concept, topic or theme that recurs across all or most of the sources.

Then, for each source, you summarize the main points or arguments related to the theme.

The purposes of the table is to identify the common points that connect the sources, as well as identifying points where they diverge or disagree.

Step 2: Outline your structure

Now you should have a clear overview of the main connections and differences between the sources you’ve read. Next, you need to decide how you’ll group them together and the order in which you’ll discuss them.

For shorter papers, your outline can just identify the focus of each paragraph; for longer papers, you might want to divide it into sections with headings.

There are a few different approaches you can take to help you structure your synthesis.

If your sources cover a broad time period, and you found patterns in how researchers approached the topic over time, you can organize your discussion chronologically .

That doesn’t mean you just summarize each paper in chronological order; instead, you should group articles into time periods and identify what they have in common, as well as signalling important turning points or developments in the literature.

If the literature covers various different topics, you can organize it thematically .

That means that each paragraph or section focuses on a specific theme and explains how that theme is approached in the literature.

Source Used with Permission: The Chicago School

If you’re drawing on literature from various different fields or they use a wide variety of research methods, you can organize your sources methodologically .

That means grouping together studies based on the type of research they did and discussing the findings that emerged from each method.

If your topic involves a debate between different schools of thought, you can organize it theoretically .

That means comparing the different theories that have been developed and grouping together papers based on the position or perspective they take on the topic, as well as evaluating which arguments are most convincing.

Step 3: Write paragraphs with topic sentences

What sets a synthesis apart from a summary is that it combines various sources. The easiest way to think about this is that each paragraph should discuss a few different sources, and you should be able to condense the overall point of the paragraph into one sentence.

This is called a topic sentence , and it usually appears at the start of the paragraph. The topic sentence signals what the whole paragraph is about; every sentence in the paragraph should be clearly related to it.

A topic sentence can be a simple summary of the paragraph’s content:

“Early research on [x] focused heavily on [y].”

For an effective synthesis, you can use topic sentences to link back to the previous paragraph, highlighting a point of debate or critique:

“Several scholars have pointed out the flaws in this approach.” “While recent research has attempted to address the problem, many of these studies have methodological flaws that limit their validity.”

By using topic sentences, you can ensure that your paragraphs are coherent and clearly show the connections between the articles you are discussing.

As you write your paragraphs, avoid quoting directly from sources: use your own words to explain the commonalities and differences that you found in the literature.

Don’t try to cover every single point from every single source – the key to synthesizing is to extract the most important and relevant information and combine it to give your reader an overall picture of the state of knowledge on your topic.

Step 4: Revise, edit and proofread

Like any other piece of academic writing, synthesizing literature doesn’t happen all in one go – it involves redrafting, revising, editing and proofreading your work.

Checklist for Synthesis

•   Do I introduce the paragraph with a clear, focused topic sentence?
•   Do I discuss more than one source in the paragraph?
•   Do I mention only the most relevant findings, rather than describing every part of the studies?
•   Do I discuss the similarities or differences between the sources, rather than summarizing each source in turn?
•   Do I put the findings or arguments of the sources in my own words?
•   Is the paragraph organized around a single idea?
•   Is the paragraph directly relevant to my research question or topic?
•   Is there a logical transition from this paragraph to the next one?

Further Information

How to Synthesise: a Step-by-Step Approach

Help…I”ve Been Asked to Synthesize!

Learn how to Synthesise (combine information from sources)

How to write a Psychology Essay

110 Synthesis Essay Topics

A well-written synthesis essay calls for carefully gathering information from a diverse range of sources to create a new idea, generate a new question, or develop a strong argumentative thesis. This often calls for discussing ideas, analyzing data, and reviewing evidence to either explain or argue a truly original idea.

Of course, this is a challenging type of essay for anyone to compose, and it can often feel challenging for students who are new to the process. One of the hardest first steps calls for finding a unique topic to challenge the reader and then structuring it in a way that engages the reader to consider the idea from their own point of view.

It’s worth bearing in mind that synthesis essays can also be broken down into two types: Explanatory essays or argumentative synthesis essays.

The Difference Between an Explanatory and Argumentative Synthesis Essay

With an explanatory synthesis essay, the goal is to use a variety of resources to illuminate a specific point of view. This type of essay strongly relies on objectively examining the similarities as well as the key differences between ideas. Yet the author never completely chooses one side over the other. Nor does the author attempt to persuade the reader to choose one side over the other. The underlying goal is to objectively generate a new level of awareness in the reader and then allow them to draw their own conclusions in their own time.

With an argumentative synthesis essay, the thesis presents a specific point and argues it strongly. Here again, the author needs to draw information from a wide range of resources to clearly argue their own position on the presented topic. This involves making an explicit claim or creating a strongly opinionate thesis and then using the sources to support that thesis.

Key Elements

A synthesis essay should be written from the first-person point of view to help you connect with the reader. If you are writing an explanatory synthesis essay, you need to be particularly mindful to write from an objective point of view. Try to avoid opinionated words as best you can.

Throughout your essay, you will need to offer supporting facts and sources. Any time you are offering up something that isn’t directly stated as your opinion you need to quote the source directly. Make sure to include the name of the individual or institution that provided the information. If the information is related to a key date or time of publication, be sure to include that information as well.

Structuring a Synthesis Essay

Both explanatory and argumentative synthesis essays use a typical five-paragraph essay structure. Though there are some finer points structuring synthesis essays that you need to keep in mind.

Introduction

The introduction of a synthesis essay plays an important role and needs to clearly express your topic early and with authority. You need to state your topic introducing some of your sources. This plays a key role in introducing the argument or explanation that you put forward in your thesis statement.

Your thesis statement needs to succinctly state your primary argument while only being a sentence or two in total length. Ideally, you want your thesis statement to be placed at the end of your introductory paragraph, as readers tend to remember the last thing they read with greater effect.

When following the typical five-paragraph structure, the body of your synthesis essay should contain three distinct paragraphs long. Typically the first two paragraphs represent information gleaned from your sources to strongly support your argument.

Then the third body paragraph acknowledges any existing opposing arguments. This is especially important for explanatory synthesis essays which rely on objectivity to present their argument succinctly.

The synthesis essay’s conclusion should reiterate the argument that has been carried through your essay. You should try to summarize how each of the points presented is soundly supported by your cited sources. If you are composing an argumentative essay, you should complete it with some type of call to action or a confident statement noting that your argument is indeed correct in the face of a potentially opposing view.

Bibliography and Citing Sources

A good synthesis essay is imbued with authority by the cited, supporting sources. This typically calls for including bibliography or footnotes at the end of the essay or the bottom of the last page. Depending on the writing style guidelines you might have to format the bibliography using APA, MLA, AP, or Chicago Manual techniques. With some longer, in-depth topic the bibliographic citations might take one to two pages at the end of your paper.

Choosing a Synthesis Essay Topic

When choosing a good topic for your synthesis essay, you should start by investigating topics that you are curious about. If you are planning to write an argumentative synthesis essay, you should try prioritizing a subject you feel passionate about.

Before committing to anyone topic, make sure to do your research. Seek out strong sources from scholarly articles, reputable journalistic sources, or published scientific papers, rather than sources created by inflammatory news media or biased websites.

Here is a list of topic suggestions for you.

Climate Change Topics

• Can solar power truly replace fossil fuels?
• Are electric cars really good for the environment?
• With sea-level rise inevitable, should we retrofit coastal cities?
• How does air pollution contribute to global warming?
• Climate change can change the average human lifespan.
• Farming practices will need to change in the face of climate change?
• How climate change is contributing to marine species extinction?
• Would cessation of fossil fuel use stop climate change?
• Have we already crossed the tipping point in climate change?
• Can cessation of single-use plastics prevent plastic debris in the ocean?
• Biodiesel is a better alternative than electric vehicles.
• We are in the middle of a new global extinction event.
• Can carbon capture reverse climate change?
• Should we cap the limits on water extraction from the Colorado river indefinitely?
• The water of the Great Lakes needs to be legally preserved to prevent use during a drought.

Social Media Topics

• Social media has decreased our real-world social skills.
• Social media shaming psychologically affects our notions of beauty.
• Social media stress affects the academic performance of middle school children.
• Facebook is a direct threat to an individual’s right to privacy.
• How social media has changed dating habits.
• Online dating apps like Tinder have altered relationship skills.
• Instagram promotes stereotyping.
• Social media has been a lifeline during the pandemic for people who need social interaction.
• Social media has affected journalistic integrity standards.
• Social media has the power to influence political elections.

Education Topics

• Students should be given access to elective classes at an earlier age.
• Standardized testing has too much influence on college acceptance requirements.
• Tablets and other technology are not an effective replacement for textbooks.
• Should public schools have stronger or more relaxed dress code requirements?
• Teachers and faculty should have access to firearms in schools.
• Not enough is being done to prevent active shooters in schools.
• Should University education be free, and if so how would that influence entrance requirement?
• Does technology threaten or enhance the traditional classroom experience?
• Class size has a strong influence on academic performance.
• Are athletic scholarships a threat to educational integrity?
• Does race influence college acceptance.
• Art & Music should be electives in middle and high school.
• Athletic participation in public schools should be free.
• School lunch programs should be free to all.
• After-school care programs should not be tax-deductible.
• Making preschool free will improve academic performance statistics at every level.
• Private schools offer a better education.
• Homeschooling offers a better education than public schools.
• Private schools should not be tax-exempt.
• Should high school athletes be paid to play?
• Is Distance Learning an inferior or superior form of education?
• Remote learning should be used to continue education on snow days.
• Open enrolled students should have a tax deferment from their original community.
• Cursive handwriting is outdated and should be removed from the curriculum.
• Should vocational and trades schools be free?
• A college education has less relevance for employment today than it did 20 years ago.
• Should continuing education for teachers be free?
• Should student loan rates be reduced by law?
• A child who uses a weapon in school should be permanently expelled.
• A student who is caught using tobacco or alcohol should be banned from athletic participation.

Technology Topics

• Zoom makes it possible to work from home just as productively as being in the office.
• Violence in video games is directly responsible for the increase in real-life violence.
• Should drone regulations be increased or decreased?
• Machine learning affects business productivity.
• Should professional game players make as much money as professional athletes?
• Is the development of artificial intelligence a true threat to human freedom?
• The development of a quantum computer will be as historically unbalancing to the 21 st Century as the first atomic bomb was to the 20 th
• Does technology promote entertainment culture?
• Screentime requirements should be enforced for all age groups.
• Access to technology increases the gap between the rich and the poor.

Cultural Topics

• Should the death penalty be made illegal at the Federal Level?
• The Americans with Disabilities Act needs to be updated to include internet access.
• Men should be granted 6 weeks of paternity leave when their spouse has a child.
• Federal elections should be based on the popular vote, not the electoral college.
• Online sports gambling should be made illegal.
• Proof of vaccination should be required at all border crossings and access to flights.
• Should credit card debt be passed to the next of kin as part of an estate when someone passes?
• Tobacco products should be banned.
• If a child commits a crime the parents should be held accountable.
• Children under 18 should not have to pay employment taxes on their paychecks.
• Does modern society support women as much as it supports men?
• Journalistic integrity has eroded in the 21 st
• There should be a registry for all felons like there is for sex offenders.
• Unisex bathrooms should be available for transgender individuals.
• Food & cooking TV shows are contributing to obesity rates.
• Female celebrities are contributing to body dysmorphia issues in young women and men.
• Alcohol abuse is more dangerous than marijuana use.
• Celebrity chefs endorse products rather than helping the average person learn how to cook healthy foods.
• Violent dog breeds like pit bulls should be made illegal to own.
• What effect does poverty have on children?

Art & Literature Topics

• Should video game design be considered a true art form?
• Does music enhance learning or distract students?
• Should graffiti be considered a true art form?
• Creative non-fiction books should be reclassified as fiction.
• Are paper books better than e-books?
• Are audiobooks better than e-books and paper books?
• Should digital libraries be used to phase out physical book libraries?
• Jim Harrison was a better poet in the modern age than Shakespeare was in the Renaissance.
• Does science-fiction promote social progress or distract people from important social issues of the day?
• Should cable news shows be classified as entertainment instead of journalism?

Politics & Ethics Topics

• Should more be done to create pathways to help illegal immigrants become naturalized citizens?
• Is the concept of the American dream still valid in the 21 st Century?
• Should we ban imported products from companies that don’t protect the working conditions that make them?
• Should COVID vaccines be provided free of charge to third-world nations?
• Should there be a uniform code for the treatment of animals in zoos and circuses?
• Should a consumer consider the sustainability of a company’s products before purchasing them?
• Is it ethical to genetically engineer domestic animals?
• Is enough being done in prisons to rehabilitate inmates for a return to society?
• Has the executive branch of the US government grown beyond the control of checks & balances?
• Why are poor individuals more likely to end up in prison than the wealthy?
• Would repeal the Second Amendment of the Constitution stop school shootings?
• Would the mandatory use of body cams reduce police brutality rates?
• Would legalizing prostitution improve health standards for women working in that field?
• Is the three-strikes law an effective deterrent?
• What is the best way to deal with prison overcrowding?

If you are struggling to find a topic for your synthesis essay, you might want to consider one of the ideas above.

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300 Best Synthesis Essay Topics

It’s pretty much impossible to write a great synthesis essay without a good topic. And let’s face it, we’re not Ethan Hunt to pull off some crazy stunts to get it done. So, it’s better to keep it realistic and rely on a thoughtful topic to stand out the best in this academic activity.

Speaking of which, are you having trouble coming up with a thoughtful topic for your synthesis essay? Don’t worry, this blog post has tons of ideas for you to check out. Let’s get to know them all!

Table of Contents

The Ultimate Lists of Unique Synthesis Essay Topics

Synthesis essay topics related to finance.

• Impact of Cryptocurrencies on Traditional Banking Systems.
• The Role of Financial Education in Wealth Accumulation.
• Ethical Considerations in Investment Banking.
• Government Regulations Effect on Stock Market Stability.
• Behavioral Economics: Understanding Investor Decision-Making.
• The Rise of Fintech: Disrupting Traditional Financial Services.
• Corporate Social Responsibility in Financial Institutions.
• Globalization’s Influence on Financial Markets.
• Income Inequality and its Economic Implications.
• The Pros and Cons of High-Frequency Trading.
• Balancing Profit and Environmental Impact.
• The Psychology of Consumer Spending and Debt.
• Bridging the Knowledge Gap with Financial Literacy Programs.
• Credit Card Debt and Its Long-Term Consequences.
• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Financial Decision-Making.
• Striking a Balance Between Revenue and Business Growth.
• The Economics of Healthcare: Insurance, Costs, and Access.
• Challenges and Solutions in Student Loans.
• The Role of Central Banks in Economic Stability.
• Risks and Rewards of Investing in Emerging Markets.

Topics for a Synthesis Essay Related to History

• Impact of Ancient Civilizations on Modern Societies.
• The Influence of Enlightenment Ideas on Democratic Revolutions.
• Comparative Analysis of Ancient Greek and Roman Political Systems.
• The Role of Religion in Shaping Historical Events.
• Transforming Economies and Societies in the Industrial Revolution.
• Effects of Colonialism on Indigenous Cultures and Societies.
• The Renaissance. 
• Women’s Suffrage Movements – A Global Perspective.
• Ideological Struggles and Global Consequences of The Cold War
• The Impact of World War I on Political and Economic Landscapes.
• Progress and Challenges of Civil Rights Movements.
• The Age of Exploration – Europe’s Expansion and its Consequences.
• Causes of The Fall of Ancient Empires. 
• Pioneers and Paradigm Shifts During the Scientific Revolution.
• Revolutionary Movements in Latin America. 
• Social, Economic, and Cultural Transformations During the Black Death. 
• Cold War Competition and Technological Advancements. 
• The Causes, Responses, and Long-term Effects of the Great Depression. 
• Impact of World War II on Global Political Alliances and Borders.
• Resistance, Change, and Reconciliation of Apartheid in South Africa. 

Good Synthesis Essay Topics Related to Food

• The Evolution of Fast-Food Culture and Its Impact on Society and Health.
• Farm-to-Table Movement – Sustainability and Locavore Practices.
• The Cons of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
• Exploring Cultures Through Food Experiences during Culinary Tourism.
• Food Labeling and Consumer Awareness.
• The Influence of Social Media on Food Trends and Eating Habits.
• Traditional Cuisine vs. Globalization: Preserving Culinary Heritage.
• The Health Impacts of Veganism: Benefits and Challenges.
• Food Waste: Causes, Consequences, and Sustainable Solutions.
• The Cultural Significance of Street Food Around the World.
• Causes, Prevention, and Policy Initiatives of Obesity Epidemic.
• The Role of Food in Celebrations and Rituals Across Cultures
• Food Allergies and Intolerances. 
• Health Benefits of The Mediterranean Diet.
• Impact of Climate Change on Food Security and Agriculture.
• The Rise of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives. 
• Traditional Cooking Techniques vs. Modern Culinary Innovations.
• Food Safety Regulations – Ensuring Public Health in a Globalized World.
• The Psychology of Food Cravings and Emotional Eating.
• Culinary Arts and Creativity Influences on Gastronomic Experiences.

Easy Synthesis Essay Topics Related to Technology

• Transforming Industries and Workforce with Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity Threats in the Digital Age. 
• The Impact of 5G Technology on Communication and Connectivity.
• Big Data Analytics – Revolutionizing Business Decision-Making.
• Ethical Implications of Biotechnology Advancements.
• Internet of Things (IoT) – Connecting Devices and Transforming Lives
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. 
• Blockchain Technology – Disrupting Traditional Industries.
• Robotics and Automation. 
• Privacy in the Digital Era Balancing Convenience and Security.
• Quantum Computing – Unlocking the Potential of Unprecedented Computing Power.
• The Role of Technology in Healthcare. 
• Digital Transformation in Education – Online Learning and Virtual Classrooms.
• The Impact of Social Media on Society and Relationships.
• Smart Cities – Enhancing Urban Living Through Technology.
• E-commerce and Online Retail. 
• The Future of Work – Remote Collaboration and Gig Economy.
• Advancements in Identity Verification and Security.
• Environmental Sustainability in Technology. 
• Human-Computer Interaction – User Experience Design and Accessibility.

Informative Synthesis Essay Topics

• Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture, Health, and Economies.
• Advancements in Renewable Energy. Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric Power.
• Rise of Populism – Global Political Landscape and Implications.
• Social Media Influence on Political Opinions and Activism.
• Mental Health Stigma – Cultural Variations and Attitude Shifts.
• Historical Context and Modern Consequences of Digital Revolution.
• Space Exploration – Past Achievements and Future Frontiers.
• Global Water Crisis, Scarcity, Pollution, and Sustainable Solutions.
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Systems and Public Health Policies.
• Biodiversity Conservation – Importance, Threats, and Conservation Strategies.
• Impact of Video Games on Cognitive Skills and Social Behavior.
• Mass Migration – Causes, Challenges, and Social Integration.
• Online Education – Accessibility, Effectiveness, and Future Trends.
• Rise of Extremism: Factors, Ideologies, and Counterterrorism Efforts.
• Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment and Job Markets.
• The Role of Women in Sustainable Development and Gender Equality.
• Technological Solutions to Urban Traffic Congestion and Pollution.
• Impact of Social Isolation on Mental and Physical Health.
• Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Healthcare Access.
• Global Economic Inequality – Causes, Consequences, and Policy Responses.
• The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Global Development.
• Impact of Ocean Pollution on Marine Ecosystems and Human Health.
• Cultural Globalization – Homogenization, Hybridization, and Resistance.
• The Influence of Art and Literature on Social Change and Cultural Values.
• Genetic Engineering – Ethics, Applications, and Controversies.
• The Role of International Organizations in Conflict Resolution.
• Internet Privacy – Legislation, Surveillance, and User Awareness.
• Impact of Social Determinants on Health Disparities.
• Technological Solutions for Sustainable Waste Management.
• The Role of Education in Social Mobility and Economic Development.

Synthesis Essay Topics Related to Art & Literature

• Impact of Art Movements on Modern Creative Expression.
• The Influence of Literature on Social and Political Change.
• Feminism in Art: Empowerment, Representation, and Challenges.
• Surrealism in Art and Literature: Exploring Dreams and Reality.
• Literary Symbolism – Hidden Meanings Across Cultures and Ages.
• Renaissance Art and Humanism – Rediscovery of Classical Ideals.
• Dystopian Literature – Reflections of Societal Fears and Hopes.
• Cubism in Art – Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Reality.
• Postcolonial Literature – Voices from Marginalized Communities.
• Romanticism in Art and Poetry – Emotion, Nature, and Imagination.
• The Beat Generation – Rebellion, Freedom, and Literary Innovation.
• Gothic Art and Literature. 
• Modernism in Art and Literature. 
• Magical Realism – Blurring the Lines Between Reality and Fantasy.
• Impressionism in Art – Capturing Light, Color, and Momentary Impressions.
• Absurdist Literature and Theater – Nihilism and Existentialism.
• Native American Art and Literature. 
• Satire in Art and Literature. 
• Graphic Novels – Merging Visual Arts and Narrative Storytelling.
• Neoclassicism in Art – Revival of Classical Ideals and Forms.
• Science Fiction Literature – Exploring Future Societies and Technologies.
• Baroque Art – Drama, Emotion, and Ornate Beauty.
• The Poetry of War. 
• Rebellion, Activism, and Urban Creativity in The Street Art.
• Existentialism in Literature – Human Freedom and Individual Responsibility.
• Photorealism in Art – Replicating Reality in Astonishing Detail.
• Literature of the Harlem Renaissance – African American Cultural Revival.
• Minimalism in Art and Literature.
• Environmental Art and Eco-Literature. 

Politics Synthesis Essay Topics

• The Impact of Political Polarization on Democratic Institutions.
• Globalization and Nationalism – Conflicting Forces in International Politics.
• Human Rights in the Age of Terrorism.
• The Role of Social Media in Political Movements and Public Opinion.
• Populist Leaders and Democratic Erosion.
• Foreign Aid and Development.
• The Influence of Political Lobbying on Policy-Making and Legislation.
• International Cooperation and National Interests.
• Understanding the US Electoral Systems.
• Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict.
• Crisis Diplomacy.
• The Role of Supranational Organizations (EU, UN) in Modern Diplomacy.
• Media Influence on Elections.
• Civil Liberties vs. National Security.
• The Refugee Crisis.
• Gender Equality in Politics.
• Disinformation Campaigns.
• Political Movements and Social Change.
• The Impact of Economic Inequality on Political Participation and Policy Decisions.
• Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution. 
• Nuclear Proliferation – International Agreements and Security Dilemmas.
• Soft Power in International Relations: Cultural Diplomacy and Influence Strategies”

As you know a thoughtful topic is a must for a great synthesis essay as it guides your piece into the realm of success. This blog post was all about providing you with some excellent topics for your synthesis essay. Also, it’s not absolutely necessary that you use these topics but you can make use of the ideas and come up with your own subject for an impressive and unique synthesis essay.

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Synthesizing Sources

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When you look for areas where your sources agree or disagree and try to draw broader conclusions about your topic based on what your sources say, you are engaging in synthesis. Writing a research paper usually requires synthesizing the available sources in order to provide new insight or a different perspective into your particular topic (as opposed to simply restating what each individual source says about your research topic).

Note that synthesizing is not the same as summarizing.  

• A summary restates the information in one or more sources without providing new insight or reaching new conclusions.
• A synthesis draws on multiple sources to reach a broader conclusion.

There are two types of syntheses: explanatory syntheses and argumentative syntheses . Explanatory syntheses seek to bring sources together to explain a perspective and the reasoning behind it. Argumentative syntheses seek to bring sources together to make an argument. Both types of synthesis involve looking for relationships between sources and drawing conclusions.

In order to successfully synthesize your sources, you might begin by grouping your sources by topic and looking for connections. For example, if you were researching the pros and cons of encouraging healthy eating in children, you would want to separate your sources to find which ones agree with each other and which ones disagree.

After you have a good idea of what your sources are saying, you want to construct your body paragraphs in a way that acknowledges different sources and highlights where you can draw new conclusions.

As you continue synthesizing, here are a few points to remember:

• Don’t force a relationship between sources if there isn’t one. Not all of your sources have to complement one another.
• Do your best to highlight the relationships between sources in very clear ways.
• Don’t ignore any outliers in your research. It’s important to take note of every perspective (even those that disagree with your broader conclusions).

Example Syntheses

Below are two examples of synthesis: one where synthesis is NOT utilized well, and one where it is.

Parents are always trying to find ways to encourage healthy eating in their children. Elena Pearl Ben-Joseph, a doctor and writer for KidsHealth , encourages parents to be role models for their children by not dieting or vocalizing concerns about their body image. The first popular diet began in 1863. William Banting named it the “Banting” diet after himself, and it consisted of eating fruits, vegetables, meat, and dry wine. Despite the fact that dieting has been around for over a hundred and fifty years, parents should not diet because it hinders children’s understanding of healthy eating.

In this sample paragraph, the paragraph begins with one idea then drastically shifts to another. Rather than comparing the sources, the author simply describes their content. This leads the paragraph to veer in an different direction at the end, and it prevents the paragraph from expressing any strong arguments or conclusions.

An example of a stronger synthesis can be found below.

Parents are always trying to find ways to encourage healthy eating in their children. Different scientists and educators have different strategies for promoting a well-rounded diet while still encouraging body positivity in children. David R. Just and Joseph Price suggest in their article “Using Incentives to Encourage Healthy Eating in Children” that children are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they are given a reward (855-856). Similarly, Elena Pearl Ben-Joseph, a doctor and writer for Kids Health , encourages parents to be role models for their children. She states that “parents who are always dieting or complaining about their bodies may foster these same negative feelings in their kids. Try to keep a positive approach about food” (Ben-Joseph). Martha J. Nepper and Weiwen Chai support Ben-Joseph’s suggestions in their article “Parents’ Barriers and Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating among School-age Children.” Nepper and Chai note, “Parents felt that patience, consistency, educating themselves on proper nutrition, and having more healthy foods available in the home were important strategies when developing healthy eating habits for their children.” By following some of these ideas, parents can help their children develop healthy eating habits while still maintaining body positivity.

In this example, the author puts different sources in conversation with one another. Rather than simply describing the content of the sources in order, the author uses transitions (like "similarly") and makes the relationship between the sources evident.

How to Write a Synthesis Essay: Examples, Topics, & Outline

A synthesis essay requires you to work with multiple sources. You combine the information gathered from them to present a well-rounded argument on a topic. Are you looking for the ultimate guide on synthesis essay writing? You’ve come to the right place!

In this guide by our custom writing team, you will find:

• a step-by-step writing guide;
• a list of 34 synthesis essay topics;
• a full essay sample in MLA format.
• 📚 Synthesis Essay Definition
• 📝 Essay Types
• ✅ Step-by-Step Guide
• ✍️ Topics & Prompts
• 📑 Example & Formatting Tips

📚 What Is a Synthesis Essay?

A synthesis essay is an assignment that requires a unique interpretation of a particular topic using several reliable sources. To write it, you need to understand, analyze, and synthesize information. That is why this type of essay is used in the AP Lang exam to assess students’ reasoning skills.

The key features of the synthesis essay are:

• Debatable topic . If your goal is to write a good synthesis essay, it’s necessary to choose an arguable topic. It’s best to choose something that people have different opinions about. This will allow you to use many sources with various viewpoints for your synthesis.
• Clear thesis statement. It’s a sentence that briefly describes the main idea of your essay.
• Reliable sources to prove your thesis . For a synthesis essay, your opinion is not enough. You also need to find the evidence. Keep in mind that simply reading an online encyclopedia won’t do; make sure to choose only reliable sources.

What Does It Mean to Synthesize Information?

Synthesis is a process that has huge importance in nature, science, and our everyday life. The word stems from Ancient Greek “synthesis,” which means “putting together.” In general, synthesis is the combination of components to form a connected whole.

In everyday life, we usually resort to it to synthesize information . This means taking the data from different sources and bringing it together. This process is the opposite of analyzing:

• For an analysis , you break problems into pieces,
• For a synthesis , you combine separate elements into a whole.

We use synthesis for analysis papers, research papers, argument papers, and business reports.

What Does Synthesis Mean in Writing?

Synthesis in writing means summarizing and connecting different sources considering a particular topic. Although synthesis and analysis are two opposite things, they usually go together in synthesis essays. The process consists of 2 stages:

• Conduct the analysis. For that, you break down a problem into parts and analyze the sources. It’s helpful to highlight everything regarding your topic while reading.
• Carry out the synthesis. The next step is to formulate an opinion and combine the highlighted information from the sources.

Synthesis is not only used in writing but also in reading comprehension . It’s useful to do this kind of reading while studying your sources. There are three reading comprehension stages:

• Your previous knowledge about the topic.
• Expansion of your knowledge while you are reading.
• Understanding of the problem when you have finished reading.

So, synthesized reading comprehension means combining three stages in one and formulating one statement.

Synthesis vs Summary: What Is the Difference?

A summary is a paraphrasing of the written source in your own words. For a good summary, it’s necessary to include all of the text’s key elements. Meanwhile, synthesis means combining different ideas from different sources. You don’t have to include all the key points; just choose everything related to your topic.

Both of these techniques are used for the synthesis essay:

• The summary goes in the conclusion. You briefly sum up your paper’s main ideas.
• Synthesis goes in the body paragraphs. Here, you combine multiple sources to prove a point.

📝 Synthesis Essay Types

There are two main types of a synthesis essay: argument and explanatory synthesis.

Both of them require working with multiple reliable sources and analyzing information. The only difference is that an argument synthesis essay requires your own opinion, while an explanatory synthesis essay does not.

Argument Synthesis Essay: Outline and Definition

As you already know, an argument synthesis essay requires you to state your own opinion about the given topic and back it up with several reliable sources. The purpose of such an essay is to persuade the reader that your point is correct.

Here’s what an argument synthesis essay consists of:

Explanatory Synthesis Essay: Definition and How to Write

An explanatory informative synthesis essay requires you to stay neutral towards the problem you are discussing. This means you cannot express your own opinion considering the given question or a problem. Your task is just to inform the reader. That’s why this essay type is also called informative synthesis.

Check out this explanatory essay outline:

✅ How to Write a Synthesis Essay Step by Step

When it comes to the synthesis essay outline, it’s not too different from other assignments. Have a look at this template:

How to Synthesize: Working with Sources

After you’ve decided on your topic, it’s time to figure out how to synthesize articles into one text. This is how you do it:

• Choose reliable sources: the ones printed in journals or published on academic websites.
• Become familiar with them and see if they fit into your essay.
• Try to find a few sources for each point. It will increase your essay’s reliability.
• Relate each source to your arguments and see similarities between them.
• Don’t forget to list every source in the references.

When you are done with a comprehensive analysis of related literature, try to step back and imagine a person who has a different opinion on this topic. Think of some arguments that they can provide to prove their opinion. After you have the list of arguments, find the written evidence of why they are wrong and put them in your essay.

Analyzing and organizing sources is the first and very important step for the synthesis essay. So make sure you do understand what the text means before using it as a reference.

Synthesis Essay Outline: How to Write

For structuring your essay, it’s useful to try mapping . This technique means combining the information from different sources and rearranging it to create a new direction. To do it, you need to analyze the authors’ ideas and come up with your own conclusions.

The best way to do that is called synthesis matrix or graphic organizer. It’s a chart that you can make when you start working on your essay. Here you have a horizontal column that states the main ideas and a few vertical columns that present sources. Your task is to take sources you have chosen and write down the main ideas from them.

Here’s an example of a matrix chart:

While doing that, you will see how many sources contain the same ideas. When you analyze them, you will be able to formulate your thesis backed up with evidence. The synthesis matrix also helps to see new arguments you can cover in your synthesis paper.

How to Write an Introduction for a Synthesis Essay

Now it’s time to start writing the paper. In the introductory part of the essay, you can include:

• A short yet catchy sentence or a quotation that would present the topic. The start of your essay should make people interested. It’s best to make the first sentence not only informative but also easy to understand.
• The texts that are used for the essay. Provide the titles and the authors’ names (use the appropriate guidelines depending on the writing style.)
• The background information which is needed to understand your essay. Definitions of terms or unknown words considering the topic can be included in this part. Otherwise, people may find it hard to understand what they are reading about.

How to Write a Thesis for a Synthesis Essay

A thesis statement is a point of view on a certain problem that you will defend in your essay. It should contain the key points that you want to include in your paper. Here’s how to create a perfect thesis statement:

• Find several central ideas in the chart.
• Choose the ones that are repeated the most often and the ones that you feel need to be in your essay.
• Combine them, and you have a thesis statement with all the key points.
• Make a draft of the thesis statement. Try to formulate the main idea you want to present in your essay.
• Elaborate on this idea. Add some details and expand it a bit further.

If the whole picture is coherent, and it conveys exactly what you wanted, then this is your perfect thesis statement. See the example below:

Gender inequality still exists at the workplace: women are less likely to get the most responsible positions, easily lose careers due to maternity leave, and often receive less pay for the same amount of work.

How to Write Synthesis Paragraphs for the Main Body

Your essay’s main body consists of a few paragraphs. Each of them presents a different argument considering the topic. When you start a paragraph, make sure to begin with a topic sentence, which informs the reader about the paragraph’s main idea. Then, include the synthesized sources and elaborate on them.

Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when writing the main body:

You can use the following words to present the ideas from your sources. They will help you reflect the authors’ tone:

How to Conclude a Synthesis Essay

There are quite a few ways to conclude the synthesis paper. Have a look at some of the options:

• Paraphrase the thesis. As you remember, the thesis is the main idea of your essay. The conclusion is a good place to remind your readers about it. When they are done with the reading, they remember the most important thing from your essay.
• Synthesize the arguments. There is no need to repeat everything you wrote in your essay. Just briefly summarize the most crucial points.
• Answer the “So what” question. Tell the readers why this topic matters, why you’ve chosen it, and why it’s valuable for the reader.
• Provide a closure. It’s an effective strategy when you want to make the reader think. Leave them with a strong statement at the end of your essay.

Synthesis Paper Proofreading Tips

When you have finally written your paper, there is still one important thing left to do. You need to check your paper for any grammatical and contextual mistakes. You certainly can do it yourself, but it would be perfect if you could ask somebody else to read it.

The first thing you need to check grammar-wise is the tense you are using. There is no single tense you need to use for the synthesis essay. It depends on the format:

• If you’re writing in MLA format, use the present tense;
• For APA essays, you use the past tense.

The next step is to check whether your synthesis essay has everything that’s required. For that, we have prepared the checklist of questions you can ask yourself to proofread your essays.

• Is there a clear thesis statement?
• Did you include all of the key points from the synthesis?
• Are there clear transitions between paragraphs?
• Did you organize a paragraph around a single idea?
• Did you use reliable and up-to-date sources?
• Did you analyze sources rather than just summarize them?
• Did you mention every source you’ve used?

If you’ve answered “yes” to all the questions—congratulations, you are done with the essay! Otherwise, you need to come back and fix everything that you’ve answered “no” to.

✍️ Synthesis Essay Topics and Prompts

Sometimes, when you don’t have a topic , it is tough to come up with a suitable idea. That is why we have prepared two lists of topics that you can use for any synthesis essay type.

Explanatory Synthesis Essay Topics

The topics below are suitable for an explanatory synthesis essay:

• The beginning of Hollywood cinema. Cinema is a huge industry in the USA. Tell the readers about its history. Describe what it was like in the beginning, which movie was the first one, and who started this industry.
• Tactics on dealing with noisy children. Sometimes kids can be very loud, especially in public places. Write about different tactics that can help with this issue.
• The effects of climate change on the water cycle.  Climate change has affected the water cycle significantly. Your task is to explain how.
• The best American cities to live in. Provide the list of the best cities and explain why you’ve included them.
• The importance of a healthy diet . Keeping a healthy diet is beneficial in many ways. Write about all the advantages it brings.
• Who can become an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurship is not for everybody. In this essay, you can describe the qualities needed for having your own business.
• The correlation between overpopulation and poverty . Describe how overpopulation leads to poverty and vice versa.
• The advantages of taking an active vacation.
• Cultural shock as a part of moving to a different country.
• The consequences of the first wave of feminism.
• Synthesis of Tan and Rodriguez’ essays ideas. 
• Difficulties you may encounter during the job interview.
• How does reading prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
• The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses.
• The connection between religion and politics in ruling the country.
• What can non-verbal signals tell you about a person?
• The psychology of leadership .
• The origins of the most common  stereotypes  about Americans.
• Role of social media in business communication.
• The synthesis of personal nursing philosophy concept. 
• Behavioral components of schizophrenia and psychosis.
• Main components of successful entrepreneurship.
• Critical components of scientific research.
• Change in religion and human beliefs throughout history.
• The effect of global warming on modern life.

Argument Synthesis Paper Topics

The list of topics for the Argument Synthesis Essay:

• Vaping is better than smoking. People are starting to exchange cigarettes for vapes and e-cigarettes. In what ways are they less harmful?
• Rich people should pay higher taxes. The same percentage of money doesn’t equal for rich and poor people. Explain why the ones who can afford more should share with others.
• Depression is a disease. Prove that psychological problems must be recognized as real health issues that should be cured and not ignored.
• Social media affects young people’s lives. Social media has a massive influence on people. In this essay, you can discuss which life spheres are the most affected.
• Beauty pageants should be banned. Provide the reasons why they should be banned and tell the reader about psychological problems they can cause.
• People should cut meat from their diet to stop global warming. Describe how the meat industry influences climate change.
• The voting age should be 25+. Your task is to show the reasons why the votes of people under 25 should not be taken into account during elections.
• A healthy lifestyle requires a lot of money.
• Each healthy man should serve in the military.
• School bullying should be punished by immediate exclusion.
• Does friendship exist between men and women?
• Drinking coffee is a bad habit.
• Working hard is more important than being talented.
• Everybody should visit a therapist at least once.
• Should universities be free?
• Artificial intelligence will cause huge unemployment rates.
• Gaming should not be allowed to children under 18.
• Components and strategies of social responsibility
• Integration of relevant ethical theory and conceptual principles in health care 
• Children under 10 should be banned from gadgets.  
• Social media platforms facilitate cyberbullying.
• Issues of distance education.
• Social media addiction is a serious disease.
• Deforestation critically contributes to global warming.
• Healthcare should be free for everyone.

📑 Synthesis Essay Example & Synthesis Essay Format Tips

Now let’s talk about formatting. There are two writing styles you can use for a synthesis essay: APA or MLA. You need to choose the one that is required for your assignment.

We will start with the paper in APA format. It is usually used in science and education.

And these are MLA formatting rules:

Finally, we’ve prepared a synthesis essay sample for you to check out. Feel free to download the PDF file below:

First introduced in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, affirmative action policies aim to mitigate the discrepancy in opportunities available for underrepresented social groups by taking into account one’s minority background. The policies have become a pressing public issue that obstructs previously marginalized individuals, particularly in the educational environment.

Thank you for reading the ultimate guide on synthesis essay writing. We hope you found it helpful. Don’t forget to share it with your friends. Good luck with your assignments!

🔍 References

• Writing a Synthesis Essay: Bowling Green State University
• What Is Synthesis: University of Manitoba
• Synthesis: Biology Online
• Reading Strategies: Difference Summarizing and Synthesizing: WordPress
• Summary, Analysis, Synthesis Definitions: University of Utah
• Argumentative Synthesis: University of Arkansas
• How to Synthesize Written Information: Simply Psychology
• Mapping of Synthesis Essay: University of Nevada, Reno
• Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix: Florida International University
• Synthesis Essay: Cleveland State University
• Literature Review: Synthesizing Multiple Sources: Louisiana State University
• Writing a Conclusion: Texas Women’s University
• General APA Guidelines: Purdue University
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Chapter 7: Synthesizing Sources

Learning objectives.

At the conclusion of this chapter, you will be able to:

• synthesize key sources connecting them with the research question and topic area.

7.1 Overview of synthesizing

7.1.1 putting the pieces together.

Combining separate elements into a whole is the dictionary definition of synthesis.  It is a way to make connections among and between numerous and varied source materials.  A literature review is not an annotated bibliography, organized by title, author, or date of publication.  Rather, it is grouped by topic to create a whole view of the literature relevant to your research question.

Your synthesis must demonstrate a critical analysis of the papers you collected as well as your ability to integrate the results of your analysis into your own literature review.  Each paper collected should be critically evaluated and weighed for “adequacy, appropriateness, and thoroughness” ( Garrard, 2017 ) before inclusion in your own review.  Papers that do not meet this criteria likely should not be included in your literature review.

Begin the synthesis process by creating a grid, table, or an outline where you will summarize, using common themes you have identified and the sources you have found. The summary grid or outline will help you compare and contrast the themes so you can see the relationships among them as well as areas where you may need to do more searching. Whichever method you choose, this type of organization will help you to both understand the information you find and structure the writing of your review.  Remember, although “the means of summarizing can vary, the key at this point is to make sure you understand what you’ve found and how it relates to your topic and research question” ( Bennard et al., 2014 ).

As you read through the material you gather, look for common themes as they may provide the structure for your literature review.  And, remember, research is an iterative process: it is not unusual to go back and search information sources for more material.

At one extreme, if you are claiming, ‘There are no prior publications on this topic,’ it is more likely that you have not found them yet and may need to broaden your search.  At another extreme, writing a complete literature review can be difficult with a well-trod topic.  Do not cite it all; instead cite what is most relevant.  If that still leaves too much to include, be sure to reference influential sources…as well as high-quality work that clearly connects to the points you make. ( Klingner, Scanlon, & Pressley, 2005 ).

7.2 Creating a summary table

Literature reviews can be organized sequentially or by topic, theme, method, results, theory, or argument.  It’s important to develop categories that are meaningful and relevant to your research question.  Take detailed notes on each article and use a consistent format for capturing all the information each article provides.  These notes and the summary table can be done manually, using note cards.  However, given the amount of information you will be recording, an electronic file created in a word processing or spreadsheet is more manageable. Examples of fields you may want to capture in your notes include:

• Authors’ names
• Article title
• Publication year
• Main purpose of the article
• Methodology or research design
• Participants
• Measurement
• Conclusions

  Other fields that will be useful when you begin to synthesize the sum total of your research:

• Specific details of the article or research that are especially relevant to your study
• Key terms and definitions
• Strengths or weaknesses in research design
• Relationships to other studies
• Possible gaps in the research or literature (for example, many research articles conclude with the statement “more research is needed in this area”)
• Finally, note how closely each article relates to your topic.  You may want to rank these as high, medium, or low relevance.  For papers that you decide not to include, you may want to note your reasoning for exclusion, such as ‘small sample size’, ‘local case study,’ or ‘lacks evidence to support assertion.’

This short video demonstrates how a nursing researcher might create a summary table.

7.2.1 Creating a Summary Table

  Summary tables can be organized by author or by theme, for example:

For a summary table template, see http://blogs.monm.edu/writingatmc/files/2013/04/Synthesis-Matrix-Template.pdf

7.3 Creating a summary outline

An alternate way to organize your articles for synthesis it to create an outline. After you have collected the articles you intend to use (and have put aside the ones you won’t be using), it’s time to identify the conclusions that can be drawn from the articles as a group.

  Based on your review of the collected articles, group them by categories.  You may wish to further organize them by topic and then chronologically or alphabetically by author.  For each topic or subtopic you identified during your critical analysis of the paper, determine what those papers have in common.  Likewise, determine which ones in the group differ.  If there are contradictory findings, you may be able to identify methodological or theoretical differences that could account for the contradiction (for example, differences in population demographics).  Determine what general conclusions you can report about the topic or subtopic as the entire group of studies relate to it.  For example, you may have several studies that agree on outcome, such as ‘hands on learning is best for science in elementary school’ or that ‘continuing education is the best method for updating nursing certification.’ In that case, you may want to organize by methodology used in the studies rather than by outcome.

Organize your outline in a logical order and prepare to write the first draft of your literature review.  That order might be from broad to more specific, or it may be sequential or chronological, going from foundational literature to more current.  Remember, “an effective literature review need not denote the entire historical record, but rather establish the raison d’etre for the current study and in doing so cite that literature distinctly pertinent for theoretical, methodological, or empirical reasons.” ( Milardo, 2015, p. 22 ).

As you organize the summarized documents into a logical structure, you are also appraising and synthesizing complex information from multiple sources.  Your literature review is the result of your research that synthesizes new and old information and creates new knowledge.

7.4 Additional resources:

Literature Reviews: Using a Matrix to Organize Research / Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Literature Review: Synthesizing Multiple Sources / Indiana University

Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix / Florida International University

 Sample Literature Reviews Grid / Complied by Lindsay Roberts

Select three or four articles on a single topic of interest to you. Then enter them into an outline or table in the categories you feel are important to a research question. Try both the grid and the outline if you can to see which suits you better. The attached grid contains the fields suggested in the video .

Literature Review Table  

Test Yourself

• Select two articles from your own summary table or outline and write a paragraph explaining how and why the sources relate to each other and your review of the literature.
• In your literature review, under what topic or subtopic will you place the paragraph you just wrote?

Image attribution

Literature Reviews for Education and Nursing Graduate Students Copyright © by Linda Frederiksen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Literature Syntheis 101

How To Synthesise The Existing Research (With Examples)

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | August 2023

One of the most common mistakes that students make when writing a literature review is that they err on the side of describing the existing literature rather than providing a critical synthesis of it. In this post, we’ll unpack what exactly synthesis means and show you how to craft a strong literature synthesis using practical examples.

This post is based on our popular online course, Literature Review Bootcamp . In the course, we walk you through the full process of developing a literature review, step by step. If it’s your first time writing a literature review, you definitely want to use this link to get 50% off the course (limited-time offer).

Overview: Literature Synthesis

• What exactly does “synthesis” mean?
• Aspect 1: Agreement
• Aspect 2: Disagreement
• Aspect 3: Key theories
• Aspect 4: Contexts
• Aspect 5: Methodologies
• Bringing it all together

What does “synthesis” actually mean?

As a starting point, let’s quickly define what exactly we mean when we use the term “synthesis” within the context of a literature review.

Simply put, literature synthesis means going beyond just describing what everyone has said and found. Instead, synthesis is about bringing together all the information from various sources to present a cohesive assessment of the current state of knowledge in relation to your study’s research aims and questions .

Put another way, a good synthesis tells the reader exactly where the current research is “at” in terms of the topic you’re interested in – specifically, what’s known , what’s not , and where there’s a need for more research .

So, how do you go about doing this?

Well, there’s no “one right way” when it comes to literature synthesis, but we’ve found that it’s particularly useful to ask yourself five key questions when you’re working on your literature review. Having done so,  you can then address them more articulately within your actual write up. So, let’s take a look at each of these questions.

1. Points Of Agreement

The first question that you need to ask yourself is: “Overall, what things seem to be agreed upon by the vast majority of the literature?”

For example, if your research aim is to identify which factors contribute toward job satisfaction, you’ll need to identify which factors are broadly agreed upon and “settled” within the literature. Naturally, there may at times be some lone contrarian that has a radical viewpoint , but, provided that the vast majority of researchers are in agreement, you can put these random outliers to the side. That is, of course, unless your research aims to explore a contrarian viewpoint and there’s a clear justification for doing so. 

Identifying what’s broadly agreed upon is an essential starting point for synthesising the literature, because you generally don’t want (or need) to reinvent the wheel or run down a road investigating something that is already well established . So, addressing this question first lays a foundation of “settled” knowledge.

Need a helping hand?

2. Points Of Disagreement

Related to the previous point, but on the other end of the spectrum, is the equally important question: “Where do the disagreements lie?” .

In other words, which things are not well agreed upon by current researchers? It’s important to clarify here that by disagreement, we don’t mean that researchers are (necessarily) fighting over it – just that there are relatively mixed findings within the empirical research , with no firm consensus amongst researchers.

This is a really important question to address as these “disagreements” will often set the stage for the research gap(s). In other words, they provide clues regarding potential opportunities for further research, which your study can then (hopefully) contribute toward filling. If you’re not familiar with the concept of a research gap, be sure to check out our explainer video covering exactly that .

3. Key Theories

The next question you need to ask yourself is: “Which key theories seem to be coming up repeatedly?” .

Within most research spaces, you’ll find that you keep running into a handful of key theories that are referred to over and over again. Apart from identifying these theories, you’ll also need to think about how they’re connected to each other. Specifically, you need to ask yourself:

• Are they all covering the same ground or do they have different focal points  or underlying assumptions ?
• Do some of them feed into each other and if so, is there an opportunity to integrate them into a more cohesive theory?
• Do some of them pull in different directions ? If so, why might this be?
• Do all of the theories define the key concepts and variables in the same way, or is there some disconnect? If so, what’s the impact of this ?

Simply put, you’ll need to pay careful attention to the key theories in your research area, as they will need to feature within your theoretical framework , which will form a critical component within your final literature review. This will set the foundation for your entire study, so it’s essential that you be critical in this area of your literature synthesis.

If this sounds a bit fluffy, don’t worry. We deep dive into the theoretical framework (as well as the conceptual framework) and look at practical examples in Literature Review Bootcamp . If you’d like to learn more, take advantage of our limited-time offer to get 60% off the standard price.

4. Contexts

The next question that you need to address in your literature synthesis is an important one, and that is: “Which contexts have (and have not) been covered by the existing research?” .

For example, sticking with our earlier hypothetical topic (factors that impact job satisfaction), you may find that most of the research has focused on white-collar , management-level staff within a primarily Western context, but little has been done on blue-collar workers in an Eastern context. Given the significant socio-cultural differences between these two groups, this is an important observation, as it could present a contextual research gap .

In practical terms, this means that you’ll need to carefully assess the context of each piece of literature that you’re engaging with, especially the empirical research (i.e., studies that have collected and analysed real-world data). Ideally, you should keep notes regarding the context of each study in some sort of catalogue or sheet, so that you can easily make sense of this before you start the writing phase. If you’d like, our free literature catalogue worksheet is a great tool for this task.

5. Methodological Approaches

Last but certainly not least, you need to ask yourself the question: “What types of research methodologies have (and haven’t) been used?”

For example, you might find that most studies have approached the topic using qualitative methods such as interviews and thematic analysis. Alternatively, you might find that most studies have used quantitative methods such as online surveys and statistical analysis.

But why does this matter?

Well, it can run in one of two potential directions . If you find that the vast majority of studies use a specific methodological approach, this could provide you with a firm foundation on which to base your own study’s methodology . In other words, you can use the methodologies of similar studies to inform (and justify) your own study’s research design .

On the other hand, you might argue that the lack of diverse methodological approaches presents a research gap , and therefore your study could contribute toward filling that gap by taking a different approach. For example, taking a qualitative approach to a research area that is typically approached quantitatively. Of course, if you’re going to go against the methodological grain, you’ll need to provide a strong justification for why your proposed approach makes sense. Nevertheless, it is something worth at least considering.

Regardless of which route you opt for, you need to pay careful attention to the methodologies used in the relevant studies and provide at least some discussion about this in your write-up. Again, it’s useful to keep track of this on some sort of spreadsheet or catalogue as you digest each article, so consider grabbing a copy of our free literature catalogue if you don’t have anything in place.

Bringing It All Together

Alright, so we’ve looked at five important questions that you need to ask (and answer) to help you develop a strong synthesis within your literature review.  To recap, these are:

• Which things are broadly agreed upon within the current research?
• Which things are the subject of disagreement (or at least, present mixed findings)?
• Which theories seem to be central to your research topic and how do they relate or compare to each other?
• Which contexts have (and haven’t) been covered?
• Which methodological approaches are most common?

Importantly, you’re not just asking yourself these questions for the sake of asking them – they’re not just a reflection exercise. You need to weave your answers to them into your actual literature review when you write it up. How exactly you do this will vary from project to project depending on the structure you opt for, but you’ll still need to address them within your literature review, whichever route you go.

The best approach is to spend some time actually writing out your answers to these questions, as opposed to just thinking about them in your head. Putting your thoughts onto paper really helps you flesh out your thinking . As you do this, don’t just write down the answers – instead, think about what they mean in terms of the research gap you’ll present , as well as the methodological approach you’ll take . Your literature synthesis needs to lay the groundwork for these two things, so it’s essential that you link all of it together in your mind, and of course, on paper.

Psst… there’s more!

This post is an extract from our bestselling short course, Literature Review Bootcamp . If you want to work smart, you don't want to miss this .

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• University of Oregon Libraries
• Research Guides

How to Write a Literature Review

• 6. Synthesize
• Literature Reviews: A Recap
• Reading Journal Articles
• Does it Describe a Literature Review?
• 1. Identify the Question
• 2. Review Discipline Styles
• Searching Article Databases
• Finding Full-Text of an Article
• Citation Chaining
• When to Stop Searching
• 4. Manage Your References
• 5. Critically Analyze and Evaluate

Synthesis Visualization

Synthesis matrix example.

• 7. Write a Literature Review

• Synthesis Worksheet

About Synthesis

Approaches to Synthesis

You can sort the literature in various ways, for example:

How to Begin?

Read your sources carefully and find the main idea(s) of each source

Look for similarities in your sources – which sources are talking about the same main ideas? (for example, sources that discuss the historical background on your topic)

Use the worksheet (above) or synthesis matrix (below) to get organized

This work can be messy. Don't worry if you have to go through a few iterations of the worksheet or matrix as you work on your lit review!

Four Examples of Student Writing

In the four examples below, only ONE shows a good example of synthesis: the fourth column, or  Student D . For a web accessible version, click the link below the image.

Long description of "Four Examples of Student Writing" for web accessibility

• Download a copy of the "Four Examples of Student Writing" chart

Click on the example to view the pdf.

From Jennifer Lim

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• Next: 7. Write a Literature Review >>
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Synthesis: Home

Engaging in synthesis.

Synthesis requires you to make sense of all the relevant ideas in your sources and blend them together with your own thoughts and ideas. Watch this video to learn how to engage in synthesis in order to take research from multiple sources along with your own arguments and turn it into a research paper.

Synthesizing Your Research

Understanding your research.

1. Read through your sources carefully.

2. Identify common themes or sub-topics that keep appearing in the articles you’re reading.

The Research Matrix

• Blank Research Matrix Fill out this blank matrix.
• Blank Synthesis Matrix template (Google Docs)

The research matrix is a helpful tool you can use to synthesize your research along with your own voice. The blank research matrix above can help you organize your paper by main idea, identify connections between your sources, and add your own analysis.

Filling Out Your Matrix

1. Write your topic or research question above the matrix.

2. Write your main ideas for your paper on the left side of the matrix. Helpful Tip: Choose your main ideas AFTER you have read your sources!

3. Write the title, author, or citation of each source in the top row of the matrix.

4. Fill in the matrix boxes with a paraphrase or direct quote that represents how the source discussed that main idea. You do not need every source to address every main idea!

5. Don't forget to nclude your own analysis of the main idea and the sources in the last column on the matrix.

Identify Gaps in Your Research

1. There’s a high likelihood that you will have empty spaces on your research matrix and that’s okay! Small gaps show that there is room for your own voice to join the conversation.

2. Large gaps in your matrix are often a sign that you need to do more research on that main idea. As a rule of thumb you should have at least two sources for each main idea in order to create a meaningful dialogue. 

• Last Updated: Mar 13, 2023 1:12 PM
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September 13, 2024

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Making 'atomic lasagna': New method transforms 3D materials into stable layered thin films with promising properties

by Natasha Headland, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

A research team discovered a method to transform materials with three-dimensional atomic structures into nearly two-dimensional structures—a promising advancement in controlling their properties for chemical, quantum, and semiconducting applications.

The field of materials chemistry seeks to understand, at an atomic level, not only the substances that comprise the world but also how to intentionally design and manufacture them.

A pervasive challenge in this field is the ability to precisely control chemical reaction conditions to alter the crystal structure of materials—how their atoms are arranged in space with respect to each other. Controlling this structure is critical to attaining specific atomic arrangements that yield unique behaviors. This process results in novel materials with desirable characteristics for practical applications.

A team of researchers led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), with contributions from the Colorado School of Mines (Mines), National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Argonne National Laboratory, discovered a method to convert materials from their higher-energy (or metastable) state to their lower-energy, stable state while instilling an ordered and nearly two-dimensional arrangement of atoms—a feat that has the potential to unleash promising material properties .

The researchers published their findings in a paper titled " Synthesis Pathways to Thin Films of Stable Layered Nitrides ," in Nature Synthesis .

"A compelling reason to find ways to produce stable thin films with layered, nearly two-dimensional structures is that many of them have unusual chemical, semiconducting, or quantum properties. This is because electrons in such two-dimensional materials interact only with other electrons sideways—not above or below," said NREL's Andriy Zakutayev, senior physics researcher who synthesized the materials and led this study.

"These two-dimensional properties could be promising for practical applications, such as electrocatalysts for hydrogen production, energy-efficient electronic devices, or superconducting qubits for quantum computing."

Understanding the formation of disordered metastable phases

Nitrides are nitrogen-containing chemical compounds that can form robust materials. They are known for their chemical resistance and thermal stability, and these properties make them indispensable in high-performance industrial applications, especially in thin films that are often only a few atoms thick. Common applications for these films include use as semiconductor insulation layers and as protective coatings for optical lenses and machining tools.

However, the process of creating a thin nitride film tends to produce molecular structures that are three-dimensional and not fully stable. To achieve nitrides with the stable two-dimensional layered structures that are useful for chemical or quantum applications, NREL researchers examined why these intermediate phases form at all.

When a compound's constituent atoms reach low-energy areas—called local minima—the compound tends to settle into that structure. The regions from which an atom will move toward these local minima are called basins of attraction. Compounds with stable structures that have smaller basins of attraction are more likely to be stuck in a metastable state—between stability and instability.

"From a theoretical perspective, the larger the basin of attraction, the more likely it is that a compound will settle into that arrangement, which is why three-dimensional metastable nitrides form—like rainwater flowing into a large puddle formed in a big pothole on the road," said Mines' Vladan Stevanovic, associate metallurgical and materials engineering professor who performed the study's theoretical calculations with his team of students.

"Here, we discovered how certain metastable three-dimensional structures might change into stable, nearly two-dimensional layered structures. This is exciting—it's like finding a space wormhole in science fiction."

Discovering a pathway to achieve thin films of stable layered nitrides

The team synthesized thin nitride films with magnesium and molybdenum by radio frequency sputtering—a procedure in which the precursor metals are blasted with energetic ions, removing atoms that will form thin films—in an atmosphere of argon and nitrogen. The new compounds were then subjected to a rapid heat treatment process under an atmospheric nitrogen environment.

"The experimental observations indicate that the compounds, as deposited, crystallize into a three-dimensional, metastable cubic structure with elemental disorder," Zakutayev said.

"But when we applied heat above 700°C (1,292°F), the compounds transformed into nearly two-dimensional thin films with hexagonal structure with elemental order. We were quite surprised by the emergence of the order from disorder—it was like throwing together mixed pasta, cheese, and veggies all together into a pan and then taking it out of an oven and finding a delicious, layered lasagna there."

The key to solving this mystery was an elemental order hidden on the very short atomic length scale in the otherwise disordered metastable materials. The team validated this discovery with three other nitride materials and two independent experimental measurements in addition to theoretical calculations.

Implications of a thin-film transformation pathway

Beyond the specific compounds in the team's experiments, the team's discovery is also applicable to other nitride thin films that are only known to form three-dimensional cubic structures. Control over a material's final atomic structure is essential to changing that material's properties.

This is especially true for materials with quantum properties that respond rapidly to slight changes in atomic structure and for materials with semiconductor properties that are adjustable with atom rearrangement.

"Our team was able to synthesize three other nitride compounds in a layered, nearly two-dimensional structure using this same method, demonstrating the universality of our approach," said NREL's Rebecca Smaha, materials science researcher who performed synchrotron measurements.

"We also developed a theoretical explanation for how these materials can be synthesized, making this synthesis method suitable for other chemistries beyond nitrides. I'm excited to see how this synthesis pathway can be leveraged to discover completely new materials in inorganic solid-state materials chemistry."

Journal information: Nature Synthesis

Provided by National Renewable Energy Laboratory

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