Synthesis Essay Outline: Copy Paste Template

1. INTRODUCTION

• Hook: [Your attention-grabbing opening, a surprising statistic, provocative question, or compelling quote related to your topic]
  
• Context: [2-3 sentences providing background information and establishing why this topic matters]
  
• Thesis: [Your main argument that will be supported by synthesizing multiple sources]

2. BODY PARAGRAPH 1

• Topic sentence: [First major point supporting your thesis]
• Source A evidence: [Quote, paraphrase, or data from first source]
• Source B evidence: [Related information from second source]
• Synthesis: [Explain how these sources connect to each other and support your point, this is where YOU analyze the relationships]
• Transition: [Bridge to next paragraph]

3. BODY PARAGRAPH 2

• Topic sentence: [Second major point supporting your thesis]
• Multiple source evidence: [Information from 2 to 3 sources that address this point]
• Synthesis: [Show how sources agree, disagree, or complement each other while proving your argument]
• Transition: [Bridge to next paragraph]

4. BODY PARAGRAPH 3

• Topic sentence: [Third major point supporting your thesis]
• Evidence from sources: [Relevant quotes, data, or examples from your sources]
• Synthesis: [Demonstrate the connections and explain significance]
• Transition: [Bridge to counterargument or conclusion]

5. COUNTERARGUMENT (Optional but Recommended)

• Acknowledge opposing view: [Present the other side fairly using your sources]
• Refutation: [Explain why your position is stronger, using evidence from your sources]

6. CONCLUSION

• Restate thesis: [Rephrase your argument, don't copy from intro]
• Synthesize key insights: [Show how your sources work together to prove your thesis]
• Broader significance: [Why this matters / implications of your synthesis]

What to include: Hook, context, thesis

Length guidelines

• 5-page essay: 0.5-0.75 pages.
• 10-page essay: 1-1.5 pages.
• AP Lang exam: 2-3 sentences before thesis

Key point: Get to your thesis quickly. Your introduction sets up the synthesis, don't spend too long on background.

Standard structure: 3 to 4 paragraphs for most essays

Each paragraph follows: Start with a topic sentence, add evidence from multiple sources, analyze how those sources relate (synthesis), and end with a transition.

Length guidelines:

Critical reminder: Synthesis means showing relationships between sources. Don't just list Source A says X, Source B says Y. Show how X and Y relate to each other and your thesis.

See real examples of this structure in our synthesis essay examples.

What to include

• Reframe thesis (don't copy-paste)
• Quick synthesis of how sources work together
• Broader significance, the "so what?"

Length guidelines

• 5-page essay: 0.5-0.75 pages.
• 10-page essay: 1 page.
• AP Lang exam: 2-3 sentences

What NOT to do

• Introduce new sources or evidence.
• Just repeat your introduction.
• Start with "In conclusion..."

1. INTRODUCTION

• Hook: "Teen anxiety rates have doubled since 2010. the exact period when smartphone adoption became universal among adolescents."
  
  
• Context: While social media companies claim their platforms connect people and reduce isolation, mounting evidence suggests these technologies systematically harm teenage mental health through mechanisms researchers are only beginning to understand.
  
  
• Thesis: Social media platforms damage teen mental health through four measurable mechanisms: comparison culture, sleep disruption, cyberbullying amplification, and FOMO, as demonstrated by converging evidence from psychology, neuroscience, and public health research.

2. BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Comparison Culture

• Topic: Instagram and TikTok create systematic social comparison that damages self-esteem.
  
  
• Source A: Twenge's data showing correlation between Instagram use and depression rates (2022).
  
  
• Source B: Vogel's social comparison theory applied to digital platforms (2021).
  
  
• Source C: Internal Meta research revealing the company knew platform harmed teen girls (2021).
  
  
• Synthesis: While Twenge provides empirical correlation and Vogel explains the psychological mechanism, Meta's leaked documents prove companies deliberately designed addictive features despite knowing the harm. This convergence reveals systematic, intentional damage.
  
  
• Transition: Beyond psychological comparison, platforms also disrupt biological processes essential for mental health.

3. BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Sleep Disruption

• Topic: Blue light and algorithmic engagement systematically disrupt adolescent sleep patterns.
  
  
• Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics study (2023) + neuroscience research on circadian rhythms + platform design documents.
  
  
• Synthesis: AAP's behavioral data combines with neuroscience to show how platform features exploit developmental vulnerabilities in teen brains, creating physiological harm that amplifies all other mental health issues.
  
  
• Transition: While comparison and sleep disruption operate psychologically and physiologically, cyberbullying introduces social dynamics that compound these effects.

[Continue for Body Paragraphs 3 & 4, Counterargument, Conclusion...]

NOTE: This is a filled in outline showing structure, not a complete essay. For full sample essays with synthesis demonstrated throughout, check our synthesis essay examples.