What Is a Reflection Paper

A reflection paper is a type of paper that requires you to write your opinion on a topic, supporting it with your observations and personal examples. As opposed to presenting your reader the opinions of other academics and writers, in this essay you get an opportunity to write your point of view—and the best part is that there is no wrong answer. It is YOUR opinion, and it is your job to express your thoughts in a manner that will be comprehensible and clear for any and all readers that will read your paper. The topic range is endless. Here are some examples: whether or not you think aliens exist, what your favorite TV show is, or what your opinion is on the outcome of WWII. You can write about pretty much anything.

There are three types of a reflection paper, and depending on which one you end up with, the tone you write with can be slightly different. The first type is the educational reflective paper. Here your job is to write feedback about a book, movie, or seminar you attended—in a manner that teaches the reader about it. The second is the professional paper. Usually it is written by people who study or work in education or psychology. For example, it can be a reflection on someone’s behavior. And the last is the personal type, which explores your thoughts and feelings about a personal subject.

However, reflection paper writing will stop eventually with one very important final paper to write – your resume. This is where you will need to reflect on your entire life leading up to that moment. To learn how to list education on resume, perfectly, follow the link on our essay service.

Reflection Paper Format

Reflection papers typically do not follow any specific format. Since it is your opinion, professors usually let you handle them any way you are comfortable with. It is best to write your thoughts freely, without guideline constraints. If your reflection paper was assigned to you, the format of your paper might depend on the criteria set by your professor. College reflection papers (also known as reflection essays) can typically range between about 400-800 words in length.

How to Start a Reflection Paper

The first thing to do when beginning to work on a reflection essay is to read your article thoroughly while taking notes. Whether you are reflecting on, for example, an activity, book/newspaper, or academic essay, you want to highlight key ideas and concepts.

You can start writing your reflection paper by summarizing the main concept of your notes to see if your paper includes all the information needed for your readers. It is helpful to add charts, diagrams, and lists to deliver your ideas to the audience in a better fashion.

After you have finished reading your article, it’s time to brainstorm. We’ve got a simple brainstorming technique for writing reflection papers. Just answer some of the basic questions below:

• How did the article affect you?
• How does this article catch the reader’s attention (or does it all)?
• Has the article changed your mind about something? If so, explain how.
• Has the article left you with any questions?
• Were there any unaddressed critical issues that didn’t appear in the article?
• Does the article relate to anything from your past reading experiences?
• Does the article agree with any of your past reading experiences?

Here are some reflection paper topic examples for you to keep in mind before preparing to write your own:

• How my views on rap music have changed over time
• My reflection and interpretation of Moby Dick by Herman Melville
• Why my theory about the size of the universe has changed over time
• How my observations for clinical psychological studies have developed in the last year

The end result of your brainstorming should be a written outline of the contents of your future paper. Make sure to not skip this step, as it will ensure that your essay will have a proper flow and appropriate organization.

Another good way to organize your ideas is to write them down in a 3-column chart or table.

Writing a Reflection Paper Outline

Reflection paper should contain few key elements:

Introduction

Your introduction should specify what you’re reflecting upon. Make sure that your thesis informs your reader about your general position, or opinion, toward your subject.

• State what you are analysing: a passage, a lecture, an academic article, an experience, etc…)
• Briefly summarize the work.
• Write a thesis statement stating how your subject has affected you.

One way you can start your thesis is to write:

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should examine the ideas and experiences you’ve had in context to your topic. Make sure each new body paragraph starts with a topic sentence.

If you are writing about a book or an academic article, your reflection may include quotes and passages. They give your reader a point of reference to fully understand your feedback. Feel free to describe what you saw, what you heard, and how you felt.

Conclusion

As with any conclusion, you should summarize what you’ve learned from the experience. Tell the reader how your newfound knowledge has affected your understanding of the subject in general. Describe the feeling and overall lesson you had as a result of the reading or experience.

There are a few good ways to conclude a reflection paper:

• Tie all the ideas from your body paragraphs together, and generalize the major insights you’ve experienced.
• Restate your thesis and summarize the content from your paper.

We have a separate blog post dedicated to writing a great conclusion. Be sure to check it out for an in-depth look at how to make a good final impression on your reader.

Need a hand? Get coursework help from our writers. Edit, proofread or buy essay.

How to Write a Reflection Paper: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create a Main Theme

After you choose your topic, write a short summary about what you have learned about your experience with that topic. Let readers know how you feel about your topic—and be honest. Chances are that your readers will likely be able to relate to your opinion or at least the way you form your perspective, and that will help them have a better understanding of your reflection.

Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas and Experiences You’ve Had Related to Your Topic

You can write down specific quotes, predispositions you have, things that influenced you, or anything memorable. Be personal and explain, in simple words, how you felt.

Step 3: Analyse How and Why These Ideas and Experiences Have Affected Your Interpretation of Your Theme

Pick an idea or experience you had from the last step, and analyse it further. Write your reasoning for agreeing or disagreeing with it.

Step 4: Make Connections Between Your Observations, Experiences, and Opinions

Try to connect your ideas and insights to form a cohesive picture for your theme. You can also try to recognize and break down your assumptions, which you may challenge in the future.

There are some subjects for reflection papers that are most commonly written about. They include:

• Book – Start off by writing some information about the author’s biography and summarize the plot—without revealing the ending to keep your readers interested. Make sure to include the names of characters, the main themes, and any issues mentioned in the book. Finally, express your thoughts and reflect on the book itself.
• Course – A good place to start is to include the course name and its description. Then, you can write about the course flow, explain reasons you had for taking this course, and tell readers what you learned from it. Since it is a paper about reflection, express your opinion, supporting it with examples from the course.
• Project – The structure for a reflection paper about a project has identical guidelines to that of a course. One of the things you might want to add would be the pros and cons of the course. Also, mention some changes you might want to see, and evaluate how relevant the skills you acquired are to real life.
• Interview – First, introduce the person, and briefly mention what the interview was about. Touch on the main points, controversies, and what your opinion is on that person.

Writing Tips

Everyone has their own style of writing a reflective essay – and that’s the beauty of it, you have plenty of leeway with this type of paper – but, there are still a few tips everyone should incorporate.

Before you start your paper, read some examples of other papers, they will likely help you get a better understanding of what they are and how to approach yours. When picking your subject, try to write about something unusual and memorable — it is more likely to capture your readers’ attention. Never write the whole essay at once. Space out the time slots when you work on your reflection paper to at least a day apart. This will allow your brain to generate new thoughts and reflections.

• Short and Sweet – Most reflection papers are between 250 and 750 words. Don’t go off on tangents. Only include relevant information.
• Clear and Concise – Make your paper as clear and concise as possible. Use a strong thesis so that your essay can follow it with the same strength.
• Maintain the Right Tone – Use a professional and academic tone—even though the writing is personal.
• Cite Your Sources – Try to cite authoritative sources and experts to back up your personal opinions.
• Proofreading – Not only should you proofread for spelling and grammatical errors, but you should proofread to focus on your organization as well. Answer the question presented in the introduction.

 

Definition of Precis and Its Purpose

According to the precis definition, the word “Précis” comes from the French language and means “precise” or “to cut brief”. A precis is a brief synopsis of another work—for example, a dissertation or a scholarly article. The main purpose of a precis is to sum up any ideas that were stated in the piece, explain the main message, and give readers an idea of how the original piece was structured.

If you have some troubles structuring your essay, our essay editor service is here for you. Leave us a notice ‘pay to do my homework‘ and we’ll help asap.

What Kind of Papers Can Contain a Precis?

In a nutshell, a it is a separate written piece that is not attached to other academic works. Typically, a precis is written in an article – either scholarly or non-scholarly – or any other academic work. Its length can vary, depending on the length of the original piece.

Often, students confuse a precis with another form of writing – a critical analysis. However, they are quite different. Unlike a critical analysis, it should not contain your personal opinion in regards to the original piece.

A good precis has to be short and straight to the point. Yet, what are the other characteristics of this type of writing?

Here are the key things to keep in mind:

• A precis is a short summary, yet not a paraphrased copy of the original piece.
• The text should be precise and clear.
• It should be written in your own words, but it is allowed to use some quotes from the original piece (though not too many, only the ones that bring real value).
• It should not reflect your personal opinion.
• It should convey only the most important information and omit secondary ideas.
• The key points should be covered as comprehensively as possible.
• The information in a precis should be conveyed in a logical sequence, with clear connections between all parts of the text.
• It should not contain any details from other sources.
• A precis should not include any irrelevant or secondary details.
• A precis is always written in the third person, so the use of first person pronouns is not appropriate here.

Apart from a regular precis, there is also another form of this assignment called a rhetorical precis. The essence of this task is the same. However, it is usually much shorter and, thus, harder to write. A rhetorical precis also requires you to sum up core ideas from the original piece, but it has an additional focus on the delivery of the information in the piece. Thus, a rhetorical precis blends a summary and a brief analysis of how the author has conveyed his/her ideas.

The biggest pitfall in writing rhetorical precis is that you should fit everything normally into four sentences. Here is a sample of what needs to be included in a rhetorical precis:

• The bibliographical information of the original piece, such as the title, author’s name, date, and other relevant data.
• An explanation of how the writer of the piece has developed and supported his/her core ideas.
• A statement of the author’s purpose.
• The delivery: How the author captures the reader’s attention. Who his/her target audience is. How he/she caters those ideas to readers.

This is the core information that should be present in a rhetorical precis. Additionally, you are expected to use short quotes from the original piece to give your readers a sense of the author’s tone and style. Here is a good rhetorical precis example that you can examine:

Why Are Students Assigned to Write Precis?

This form of academic assignment generally has several purposes. First of all, it helps professors see how well you can summarize, think critically, as well as detect and highlight essential information. Such a task also demonstrates students’ writing skills, their ability to express their thoughts clearly, their intelligibly, and their ability to write with precision. Finally, writing it is an effective way to learn new material.

If a precis is a brief summary of an original text, then how is it different from paraphrasing you may wonder? Unlike a paraphrased piece, a precis is not just a restatement of the original text in your own words. It does not require you to mention all of the details provided in the original piece, but rather sum up the main ideas from it. Another distinctive feature that differentiates the two is that paraphrasing is mostly used to refer to certain ideas or statements given in another work, while it have the purpose of guiding readers through a piece they haven’t read.

When writing a precis, whether a rhetorical or regular one, make sure that your paper has these 5 key qualities:

1. Unless your professor provides another word count, a precis should be about ¼th the size of the original piece. It has to be concise and straight to the point; thus, you should avoid repetition, wordy expressions, wateriness, and unnecessary details.
   2. Objectivity. A precis implies providing an objective construal of the essential information given in the original piece, without including your personal opinions.
   3. Coherency. You must provide information in a logical sequence.
   4. Clarity. It should be easy to read and understand. The main goal of this work is to make the reader understand the original piece and the ideas the author conveyed in it, without the reader even having to read it. Thus, use simple structure and language.
   5. Correctness. It should deliver accurate details, figures, facts, dates, and should have proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

How to Write a Precis in 6 Steps

 Step 1: Pick the article, work, or story you will write a precis on
Unless you were assigned to write your precis on some specific material, you will have to choose the original piece yourself. In this case, be sure to choose an article or work that is publicly available in its full length, so that you can read the whole thing.

Step 2: Read the original piece
Take your time to read the entire piece carefully and without rushing, to make sure you understand it fully.

Step 3: Re-read it and take notes
Go back to the original piece after you’ve already read it and grasped the general idea. Now, your goal is to interpret the author’s core ideas—take notes.

Step 4: Make an outline
Based on your notes, list all of the key details and arguments you found. This will help you see if you have everything important covered. Then, make a clear and well-structured outline for your precis. To make an outline, feel free to use a precis template given under the steps section of this article.

Step 5: Write a precis
When writing a precis, be sure to follow your professor’s guidelines and the outline you have. Use simple language and structure, and keep an eye on the size of your precis.

Step 6: Proofreading and editing
Make sure you include all of the important details in your text. Also, check to make sure it does not contain any unnecessary details. Finally, check your draft for any mistakes—including punctuation, grammar, style, and any other errors. Carefully polish it until it looks good.

Step 1: Pick the article, work, or story you will write a precis on
Unless you were assigned to write your precis on some specific material, you will have to choose the original piece yourself. In this case, be sure to choose an article or work that is publicly available in its full length, so that you can read the whole thing.

Step 2: Read the original piece
Take your time to read the entire piece carefully and without rushing, to make sure you understand it fully.

Step 3: Re-read it and take notes
Go back to the original piece after you’ve already read it and grasped the general idea. Now, your goal is to interpret the author’s core ideas—take notes.

Step 4: Make an outline
Based on your notes, list all of the key details and arguments you found. This will help you see if you have everything important covered. Then, make a clear and well-structured outline for your precis. To make an outline, feel free to use a precis template given under the steps section of this article.

Step 5: Write a precis
When writing a precis, be sure to follow your professor’s guidelines and the outline you have. Use simple language and structure, and keep an eye on the size of your precis.

Step 6: Proofreading and editing
Make sure you include all of the important details in your text. Also, check to make sure it does not contain any unnecessary details. Finally, check your draft for any mistakes—including punctuation, grammar, style, and any other errors. Carefully polish it until it looks good.

 

What Is a Thesis Statement?

One of the main reasons students struggle with their thesis statements is a lack of technical understanding. It can be hard to grasp the fact that the thesis is, single-handedly, the most important sentence in the entire text. The rest of the paper is made up of supporting points to support the thesis statement.

“What is a thesis statement?” – A thesis statement is the main argument or point that is set out to be proven using tools like logical and/or emotional reasoning. It is the root from where the rest of your paper grows. The goal of a thesis-based paper is to make a claim about the relevant topic of discussion and defend this claim with logic, analysis, and third-party validation (external sources).

You should not confuse your thesis statement with an introduction—as most students asking about how to start an essay do! An essay’s thesis is mostly used to close your introduction rather than substitute it. So when writing an introduction, you should first hook the readers, introduce your topic, and only then state a thesis.

Another question is: “What is a good thesis statement?” In order to have a good thesis statement, the author must be well-informed about the topic at hand. He/she should have factual confirmation from other parties (experts, and primary & secondary sources) before developing the main statement. This is why it is important to do research and have accurate comprehension of the topic before brainstorming ideas.

Why It Is so Important

Essentially, a thesis statement is the best way to organize your thoughts and narrow down the focus of the paper. If you know exactly what you aim to prove, you will have an easy time making valid points, defending your logic, etc. This statement should be the first thing an author creates when starting to work on the paper.

A good thesis statement can help make your paper more logical and focused, and even simplify the writing process for you. When you understand the main idea of your paper, you can express it in a clear and intelligible manner throughout the paper.

Another reason why the thesis statement is so important is that you are not likely to get an A for an essay which doesn’t include a thesis statement. It is one of the first things a Professor evaluates in an academic paper and one of the main factors for your grade.

Can a Thesis Statement Be a Question?

Another common question to pop up is, “Can a thesis statement be a question?” The short answer would be “No”. The goal of the thesis is to explain what the paper will cover. It is impossible to fulfil this mission with a question. According to the definition, this part of the academic paper presents the argument a writer has to support using credible sources in the rest of the text. A claim can never be a question. The conclusion should pose no new questions, and the thesis can even be considered the overarching conclusion.

Get essay help online – leave us a message ‘help me with math‘ and we’ll give you a hand.

Length Requirements: How Long Should it  Be?

The length of a thesis statement should not be too long. As a thesis statement is a concise summary of a main claim, it should consist of a single, complete sentence. Some circumstances may require two to three sentences, depending on the length of the entire paper. Example: a five-paragraph essay should only have a single-sentence thesis. The writer should summarize the idea of the paper. If one is writing a twenty-page research paper, the statement will likely require several sentences as there will be more information to cover.

An essay’s thesis consists of the following elements:

• The main idea of your paper expressed in a simple sentence.
• The reason(s) why you support and choose this idea.
• A counterargument to your claim. This is a valid piece of information which can, in turn, support your position. Use it only in case you have one.

So after you have determined these points, you should organize them in one or two coherent sentences. Here is an example of a good thesis statement that includes all of the necessary elements mentioned above:

Example: Though uniforms can improve unity in schools, schools should not make students wear them.

This statement is based on the idea that uniforms can limit students’ freedom, which is, in a way, a violation of basic human rights.

Points to check to see that your statement is strong:

• It’s brief and carries valuable information.
• It gives a clear argument which shows your opinion.
• It has a logical basis and is backed by basic logic or facts.

The thesis statement should highlight the topic, the claim, and the major points which you are going to use in your academic paper to support the claim.

Another example of a thesis statement:

How to Write a Thesis Statement

Pick a primary question to answer and come up with a clear, concise response to it in a thesis statement. All essays should have a thesis statement because it is the basic element of nearly any type of paper—apart from perhaps creative writing.

Students commonly spend a lot of time formulating rough ideas without knowing what a thesis statement should include. When writing any type of academic paper, it is important to have an organized system to complete the task promptly.

Here are some tips for formulating a good thesis statement:

• Brainstorming is a must! Work along with your peers, family members, or tutors to come up with a list of brilliant ideas and choose a topic based on them. This will help to create a claim. After selecting the topic, try narrowing down the idea to develop a catchy, concise, and clear statement.
• Formulate a research question. Here you will need to come up with a research question that you will answer. For example: What are the main factors that lead people to depression and how can it be avoided?
• Find an answer and take a position. After you have asked the question, you need to answer it and show your opinion. For example, The main factors that lead to depression are emotional and physical distress, and depression.
• Narrow and focus. We can’t stress this enough: a well-written paper should not be filled with general information. A writer’s goal is to prove a unique point about their topic. Make sure it is reflected in the thesis.
• Support your answer with reasoning and evidence. It will help you discover more evidence and sources which can, in turn, help you with further steps for writing your essay.
• Use bold language. Avoid passive voice to sound more confident. Apps like Hemingwayapp will help to avoid wordiness and other things that make reading difficult.
• Trump the counterargument. Not everyone is going to agree with the points that you make or your argument as a whole. To combat this effectively, find the strongest opposing points to your thesis; then, challenge the counterargument head-on in a body paragraph and present why your point is indeed better.
• Check if it fits! Writers will commonly decide to create their body paragraphs before phrasing their thesis statement. A writer may set out to prove one thing to end up proving an alteration of the initial idea. That’s why it is important to go back and ensure that the thesis fits with the points you’ve made. If you have proved something different from the initial claim, fix the main argument when revising it.
• Significance matters. This criterion is important to understand the value and overall significance of your thesis. Will the idea you’re presenting be interesting and captivating to read, and will the audience want to know what you have to say? The best thesis statements are ones that captivate the reader and leave them thinking about the idea even after reading the final words.

Examples & Templates

For many students, the best way to learn is to see some realistic examples. So here we will see how a thesis statement depends on the aim of the paper:

Argumentative Statement

Make a claim about a chosen topic/question and try to justify this main argument by using reasons and credible evidence. Decide which type of thesis you plan to use. The main argument could be an opinion, analysis, or proposal. The writer should offer something some people can disagree with. Persuade the audience of your truth throughout the paper.

Example: The Brexit referendum result was caused by working-class frustration with the political elite and by austere policies that have eroded public services and fragmented communities; the referendum offered an alternative to the status quo.

Analytical Thesis Statement

You do not have to introduce a strong argument, you rather need to analyze, interpret, and evaluate different aspects of the same topic. It should introduce the key points of your analysis.

Example: An assessment of a barn owl’s flight technique depicts a couple of flight patterns: the ones connected with hunting prey and those related to courtship.

Expository Thesis Statement

The main aim of an expository thesis statement is to explain and discuss the facts of a topic.

Example: Gerbils are believed to be a perfect pet for kids as they are low-maintenance and cheap.

Compare and Contrast Thesis Statement

In a compare and contrast thesis statement your goal should be to compare, review, and juxtapose the two points.

Example: While Judaism and Christianity are Abrahamic religions sprung from the same cultural hearth, they are different by their implementation of traditions, their realizations of religious cannons, and their perceptions of Jesus Christ.

Cause and Effect Thesis Statement

In a cause and effect thesis statement you need to explain the reason for some event or happening.

Example: The primary reason why high school bullying takes place is the fact that modern teens watch violent videos and play violent video games.

 

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is a style of academic writing where an author presents both sides of an argument or issue. The main purpose of an argumentative essay is to inform rather than convince – that’s why this type of paper should not be confused with a persuasive essay.

The following skills are evaluated when grading an argumentative essay:

• Research skills
• Writing skills
• Analytical skills

This type of paper is assigned to train a student’s ability to debate. It can therefore greatly influence the public speaking skills of a person later on in their life. When writing an argumentative essay, it is important to focus on facts and information rather than personal ideas or preferences. The author may present arguments equally, or support one in favour of others. Regardless, the thesis must include all of the primary points (and counterpoints) that will appear in the essay. It is almost like a political debate with oneself.

Elements of an Argumentative Essay

• Position: It’s essential to determine which side of the argument you are taking. For example, you may be arguing that tobacco products or cannabis should be made illegal. Make a point to express why you took your initial position. For example, you may provide exact reasons to show how tobacco products may be damaging people’s health.

• Evidence: This is where you should provide factual substantiation for your reasons from outside resources. It is very important to give citations and references for where you gathered your evidence. If there is no proof, the evidence may not be taken into account. For example, you could cite health studies or scientific papers related to the effects of tobacco products on peoples’ health to prove your statement.
• Counterarguments: This is where you need to present the other side of the issue. Provide the opposing argument from your point of view. After stating these counterarguments, you should state why they are false, weak, or ineffective by presenting further evidence.

3 Ways to Approach Argumentative Writing

There are three main ways to approach an argumentative essay. These techniques will help you create a proper structure.

1. Classical Approach

This is the most common approach and consists of the following:

• An introduction where you introduce the central message of your paper (the thesis statement). Example: Tobacco products can induce various health problems, including cancers, heart attacks, and obesity.
• Background of the subject where you introduce early studies about children who have grown up in adoptive environments. Here you can also talk about the long-term effects of smoking.
• Main arguments — Talk about the main points of your position. For example, you could write about the feeling of addiction that makes it difficult to give up smoking.
• Refutation — Here is where your counterarguments come into place. Introduce the opposite side you will need to refute as being invalid. Example: Some people think that smoking does not affect health and that genetic predisposition is more impactful in causing problems for one’s health. However, there is major evidence which shows that smoking can cause bigger long-term damage to lungs than a genetic predisposition to cancer.
• Conclusion — Present all of the main arguments and provide solutions or studies that need to be conducted in the future.

2. Rogerian Approach

This approach works best if the topic of your argumentative essay is highly polemical or is a potential seed for different discussions. For instance, such issues as causes of global warming, gender identification problems, and philosophical problems work best if the Rogerian approach is applied. There is no specific structure that needs to be followed in the Rogerian approach. It’s more about how you present the information: be sympathetic to both sides of the argument. It’s important to concede that the opposing side may also be valid. So, the more wide-scoped view of a subject you take, the better. You don’t have to solve the issue, it’s more important to explore the compromise between the two sides to arrive at a solution to a pressing problem.

3. Toulmin Approach

This strategy can be quite useful in polemical arguments. It aims to find common ground within an argument and eliminate unnecessary arguments. For example, if your topic revolves around the question of whether drugs should be legal, then you would need to explore the biggest issues on both sides of the argument. Here you can talk about the pros and cons.

Steps for Writing Your Argumentative Essay

Step 1: Look for Argumentative Essay Topics

Just like with all other essay types, here are a ton of topics to choose from. The main criteria should be the following:

• coherency and relativity to your studied subject;
• importance;
• inherent values;
• potential for further research.

However, it is important to remember that it must be presented in a debate format. In other words, explain why option A is better than option B, or vice versa. Even in the Rogerian approach, you need to be able to pick a side, but do it very carefully.

Here are some good argumentative essay topics to get you started:

• Apple vs. Microsoft: Which software brand is more useful for students?
• Do violent video games have a negative psychological impact on children?
• From a financial perspective, should one invest in cryptocurrencies?
• From an economic standpoint, are electric cars better overall?
• Has society become too reliant on technology?

Good Argumentative Essay Topics for High School‍

As students begin writing this type of content in school, it is essential to give them easy essay topics for them to get a grasp of the task. Here are some examples:

• What is the most important second language to learn as a student in the US?
• Should the minimum driving age be lowered?
• Are standardized tests a fair reflection of a student’s skills?
• Are athletes overpaid?
• Should high school students be free to choose their classes?

Topics for College‍

As we transition to the university level, the complexity of the question asked should also grow. With that being said, here are some challenging topics for college students:

• Is there enough evidence to prove that news sources have biased agendas?
• Would the legalization of marijuana as a recreational drug be economically justifiable?
• Can we constitute Russia as a superpower alongside the USA and China?
• What was the most influential technological advancement in the history of humanity?
• Should we sacrifice some public services for lower taxes?

Step 2: Conducting Research

Conducting research includes several steps:

• Choosing the side you will represent.
• Picking an argument that can appeal to your audience.
• Researching who else supports this argument.
• Researching the objections your reader might raise.
• Organizing your evidence.

In addition, you should check criteria for the validity of your information:

• Accuracy
• Credibility of sources
• Timeliness
• Objectivity or bias
• Reliability

Step 3: Writing an Argumentative Essay Outline

Now that we understand what this type of writing is all about, we can start putting the pieces of the argumentative essay outline together. So, let’s take a look at how to start an argumentative essay.

Usually written in the five-paragraph structure, the argumentative essay format consists of an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Logically, each of those three sections will have a unique structure, so understanding them on an individual level will help ensure a smooth writing process. We will be using “the Internet” as the most significant technological advancement in society as an example.

1. Introduction

• Hook Statement: As with most other types of assignments, an argumentative essay introduction should attempt to captivate readers’ interest from the very beginning. Сreate a sentence that stands out from the rest of the text. Consider using a rhetorical question, a meaningful quote, or an intriguing idea. The goal is to get your audience reaching for a bag of popcorn right after reading the hook.
• Background Information: After gathering the audience’s attention, the next step is to present any necessary context to narrow the focus of the discussion. This information should not yet reveal any of the main arguments from the body. Also, it should ideally transition the train of thought towards the thesis statement.
• Thesis Statement: The last sentence of the introduction should present the focal point/central argument of your entire paper. Remember – your primary objective is to defend your idea, so the thesis must directly state what your idea is and why it is correct.

2. Body Paragraphs

• Topic Sentence: Start with a sentence that transitions the focus from the previous paragraph to the current one. It should also introduce the main sub-argument for its particular section.

3. Conclusion

• Restate the Thesis: The first sentence of any conclusion should always be a restatement of your central message (thesis statement). Using assertive language, restate your thesis in an “I have 100% proven this point” kind of way. When information is presented to an audience with confidence, they become more inclined to position themselves with that side of the argument.
• Brief Summarization of Sub-Arguments: Most likely, the audience has already forgotten some of the information you presented. For this reason, go back through and review your main points, giving your argument closure.

 

What Is a Synthesis Essay

Writing a synthesis essay  is just like creating any other form of thesis. According to the synthesis essay definition, it is a written discussion of ideas. They tend to draw on two or more sources from academic papers, fiction sources, speeches, interviews, articles, lectures, or observations.

In other words, if you have two ideas from a similar topic, you can isolate the core of what they’re trying to say. For instance, you might have a paper that examines the use of smartphones in the modern world, and another on the rise of teenagers in social media. After synthesizing the information, you may come up with a combined thesis like: smartphones and social media are not destroying a generation.

Two Types of Synthesis

1. Explanatory Synthesis Essay

This type helps readers get a better understanding of a topic. Instead of arguing a point, the goal here is to explain a particular topic.

In the body, explain the topic using sources and present these sources objectively. Like in any regular writing assignment, back up each supporting claim with two or more credible sources.

2. Argument Synthesis Essay

The goal of this type of paper is to argue a specific topic and justify it with evidence. Unlike the explanatory type, here you will do the same thing you would do if working on a regular argumentative paper. State your position, make supporting claims, and then provide credible evidence to back up each claim.

How to Choose a Topic

A synthesis paper prompt must be debatable. Depending on your assignment, you may have to choose a primary text. Choose a book that might have opposing viewpoints.

Step 1: Browse through topics and ideas. Read from sources and check selected topics in-depth to see if any of them take your interest.

Step 2: Choose a topic, then gather relevant and useful sources to include in your synthesis paper.

Step 3: Apply ideas from the sources onto your synthesis essay outline. Doing so should make writing far easier and save you time.

It is important for good synthesis essay topics to be debatable as if they have been in public conversations for decades. This makes them emotionally-charged for all sides involved, and this will likely mean that a lot of evidence for them will be widely available.

Examples include:

• Income inequality
• Progressive taxation policy
• Immigration policy
• Drug legalization
• Gun control

Bad topics would be ones in which the debate has long been over, and the scientific community has provided an objective answer for them. Also, bad topics may include those that have a yes or no answer. For instance:

• The Flat-Earth theory
• The safety and effectiveness of vaccines
• Racial supremacy
• Does gravity exist?
• Should we trust doctors?

Synthesis Essay Structure

Creating an outline will be useful for structuring your synthesis paper and planning your work. Paste supporting evidence, sub-arguments, and specific points in the appropriate sections. Make sure that every aspect proves the claim of your thesis. Any extra information will only make your paper worse.

If the information goes against your central claim, then you should acknowledge it, as it will make your paper stronger. Make sure you check all of the sources you’ve picked carefully. When writing about the causes, do not summarize them – analyze them. Read further for a sample synthesis essay outline.

The basic synthesis essay outline template contains three major parts:

1. Introduction with a thesis statement
2. Body, which contains arguments and counterarguments to the thesis
3. Conclusion

Introduction

An outline for a synthesis essay starts with an introduction, which is a brief description of what the paper will be about. It will consist of a hook, the background and relevance of your topic, and the thesis statement. How to write a synthesis statement is explained Thesis

Synthesis writing always includes a thesis, which is the central argument of the entire paper. Your thesis should be the core argument of separately sourced theses.

Body

The first paragraph must present a counterargument to your thesis. This demonstrates your ability to think from an opposing point of view — which can be greatly valued in higher educational facilities. Be sure to note that the counterargument isn’t strong enough to discredit your thesis.

Your next paragraphs should now present arguments in favor of the thesis. Remember to structure all paragraphs in the body using the following synthesis format:

• Supporting Argument
• Topic Sentence
• Evidence
• Analysis of Evidence

Conclusion

 

A conclusion should be a summary of the overall paper. Then, conclude the paper with a final sentence. In other words, restate the main points and address any unanswered questions.

Tips for Writing a Synthesis Essay

A key factor in working on a synthesis paper is doing a proper analysis of a given text or prompt. To successfully analyze it, you must comprehend the text’s purpose, rhetoric, and the argument the author claims. In other words, you are answering the question: “So what?” Then, you must build your application, and write your work around that.

1. Avoid titling the assignment as ‘synthesis essay’ followed or preceded by a relevant title.
2. Remember to address your readers appropriately.
3. Use precise vocabulary. Don’t be shy about using a dictionary.
4. Use a clear sentence structure. Avoid using passive voice.
5. Proofread and correct errors: spelling, comma errors, subject-verb agreements, plurals, possessives. And avoid using the word “you.”
6. Make sure your citations are correct.
7. Make use of sentence and paragraph transitions.

Get coursework writing help asap. Hire our professional essay writer online and get your task done fast.

Writing Techniques

Make use of Summarizing: One of the simplest methods of organization. It allows you to summarize the sources that possess the highest amount of relevance. The issue with this is that this method doesn’t include any of your independent thoughts.

Examples: Paraphrase source material. Write segments of sources in your own words. Quoting sources can also be used under this technique. In every case of using examples, make sure to cite the source.

Multiple Reasons: Using multiple reasons – typically two – is known to be an extremely effective method.

Strawman: Present one argument against your thesis. Though, make sure the argument is not very strong. The advantage of this method is to teach awareness of the other side of the argument. This type of evidence presents an introduction and description. It is followed by the opposing view and a decisive factor.

Concession: This technique illustrates the opposing viewpoint. It shows the positives being much stronger than the negatives.

Compare and Contrast: The compare and contrast method allows writers to examine two sources at once. Comparing shows similarities, as contrasting shows the differences. Illustrating an in-depth analysis of your chosen topic is possible.

Synthesis Essay Format

The synthesis paper format depends on what style is required by your teacher or professor. The most common formats are: MLA, APA, and Chicago style. APA is used in fields of Education, Psychology, and Science; MLA is used for citing Humanities; and Chicago style is used for Business, History, and Fine Arts. Purdue Owl is a format guide you can use that focuses mainly on MLA and APA, and Easybib is a citation multitool you can use for citing any of your external sources.

MLA Format

Some key points are:

• Times New Roman 12 pt font double-spaced
• 1” margins
• Top right corner includes last name and page number on every page
• Titles are centered
• The header should include your name, your professor’s name, course number, and the date (dd/mm/yy)
• The last page includes a “Works Cited” page

APA Format

Some key points are:

• Times New Roman 12 pt font double-spaced 1” margins
• Include a page header on the top of every page
• Insert page number on the top right
• The synthesis essay structure should be divided into four parts: Title Page, Abstract, Main Body, and References.

Chicago Style

Some key points are:

• Times New Roman 12 pt.
• Use double-spacing amongst the lines of the paper.
• Use one-inch margins.
• Use ½ inch indents for paragraph beginnings.
• Write with left-justified text that has a rugged edge.
• Use full names of people or organizations.
• The bibliography is to be on a separate page.

Synthesis Essay Rubric

High range (8-9 points)

• Effectively develops a position on the assigned topic.
• Demonstrates full understanding of the sources or text.
• Correctly synthesizes sources and strengthens a position. The writer drives the argument, not the sources.
• The writer’s argument is convincing.
• The writer makes no general assertions and cites specific evidence for each point. His/her evidence is developed and answers the “So what?” question.
• The paper is clear, well-organized, and coherent. It is a stand-alone piece rather than an exam response.
• Contains very few grammatical and spelling errors or flaws, if any.