Real examples of how to write a synthesis essay (that actually help)

Starting with real examples of how to write a synthesis essay

Instead of starting with theory, let’s jump straight into what most students actually want: examples of how to write a synthesis essay that you can model.

Imagine you get this prompt in a college writing class:

"Do social media platforms do more harm than good for teenagers? Synthesize at least three of the following sources to support your argument."

You’re given:

• A CDC report on teen mental health trends
• A Pew Research Center survey on teen social media use
• A Harvard article on screen time and attention
• A parent opinion piece from a major newspaper
• A teen-written blog post defending social media

A weak response would summarize each source one by one.

A strong response uses synthesis: it combines ideas from multiple sources to support a focused claim. Let’s look at several examples of how that works in practice.

Example of a synthesis essay thesis: Social media and teens

Here’s a solid thesis you might write for that prompt:

Thesis example:
While social media can offer teenagers valuable opportunities for connection and self-expression, the combination of increased screen time, sleep disruption, and constant social comparison—documented by the CDC, Pew Research Center, and Harvard researchers—shows that, without stronger safeguards, these platforms currently do more harm than good for teen mental health.

Why this works as one of the best examples of a synthesis thesis:

• It takes a clear position (more harm than good).
• It names specific ideas you’ll develop (screen time, sleep, comparison).
• It hints at sources you’ll synthesize (CDC, Pew, Harvard) without just listing them.

Notice how the thesis already blends multiple perspectives: data (CDC, Pew), academic research (Harvard), and a policy angle (safeguards). This is exactly what teachers are looking for when they ask for examples of how to write a synthesis essay.

Examples of body paragraphs in a synthesis essay

Let’s break down two sample body paragraphs so you can see synthesis in action.

Example body paragraph 1: Integrating data and analysis

Several large-scale studies suggest that the intensity of teen social media use, rather than its mere presence, is strongly associated with mental health concerns. The CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports that nearly three in five teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in the past year, and heavy social media use is frequently cited as a contributing factor. Pew Research Center similarly finds that almost half of teens say they are “almost constantly” online. Taken together, these findings suggest that the always-on nature of social media can amplify feelings of isolation rather than reduce them. When teens are rarely offline, conflicts, comparisons, and social drama follow them home, limiting the emotional break that earlier generations often had after school.

Why this is a strong example of synthesis:

• It uses two sources together (CDC and Pew) instead of one per paragraph.
• It connects the dots: “Taken together, these findings suggest…”
• It moves from data to interpretation, not just repeating statistics.

You can find teen mental health data like this at the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov

Example body paragraph 2: Balancing benefits and harms

However, not all researchers or teens view social media as purely harmful. A Harvard Graduate School of Education brief notes that online communities can provide “critical spaces of belonging” for young people who feel marginalized in their offline environments. Likewise, in a student-written blog post defending social media, the author describes finding support groups for LGBTQ+ teens that “literally kept me going” during a difficult time. These accounts complicate the narrative that social media is simply toxic. Instead, they suggest that the risk comes from unmoderated, high-pressure environments rather than from digital connection itself. A more accurate interpretation of the research, then, is that social media can be either protective or harmful depending on how platforms are designed and how intentionally they are used.

Why this earns a high score in many examples of how to write a synthesis essay:

• It juxtaposes an academic source (Harvard) with a personal narrative (student blog).
• It uses both to develop a nuanced point: not “good vs. bad,” but “it depends on conditions.”
• It shows you can acknowledge counterevidence without abandoning your main claim.

You can browse education-related briefs like the one mentioned at Harvard Graduate School of Education: https://www.gse.harvard.edu

More topic-based examples of how to write a synthesis essay

To really see the pattern, it helps to look at several different topics. Here are real examples of synthesis essay setups, with sample thesis ideas and source combinations.

1. Climate change and individual responsibility

Prompt example:

“To what extent should individual lifestyle changes be emphasized in efforts to address climate change? Synthesize at least three sources.”

Sample thesis:

While individual actions like reducing meat consumption and car travel can meaningfully lower a person’s carbon footprint, data from the EPA and the IPCC suggest that focusing too heavily on personal responsibility distracts from the policy and industry changes needed to significantly reduce global emissions.

How this fits our examples of how to write a synthesis essay pattern:

• Uses government and scientific sources (EPA, IPCC) for credibility.
• Positions personal anecdotes or opinion pieces as supporting or contrasting evidence.
• Creates tension between individual vs. systemic solutions.

You can pull climate data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov

2. Remote learning after 2020

Prompt example:

“Should K–12 schools keep offering remote or hybrid options now that in-person classes have resumed? Use at least three sources.”

Sample thesis:

Post-2020 research from the Department of Education and early studies from universities such as Stanford indicate that while remote learning widened achievement gaps for many students, it also provided flexible options for students with health issues, anxiety, or caregiving responsibilities. As a result, districts should retain limited, high-quality virtual options rather than abandoning them entirely.

This is one of the best examples of synthesis in a current topic because it:

• Draws on 2024–2025 education data and reports.
• Balances test score data with student and parent testimonies.
• Arrives at a both/and solution, not an all-or-nothing stance.

Check the U.S. Department of Education for updated reports: https://www.ed.gov

3. AI tools in education (2024–2025 trend)

Prompt example:

“Should AI writing tools be allowed in high school and college classrooms?”

Sample thesis:

Although many teachers worry that AI writing tools will encourage plagiarism, recent guidance from universities and education researchers suggests that, when used transparently and with clear policies, AI can support brainstorming and revision skills. Schools should therefore teach responsible AI use rather than attempting to ban these tools outright.

In this example of a synthesis essay:

• You might combine university policy statements, teacher survey data, and student perspectives.
• You’d synthesize concerns (cheating, overreliance) with benefits (feedback, accessibility).

How to structure your own synthesis essay (with mini examples)

Let’s turn these models into a repeatable approach you can use on any topic.

Step 1: Group your sources by idea, not by author

Instead of thinking:

• “Source A, then Source B, then Source C…”

Try grouping like this:

• “Sources that say social media harms mental health”
• “Sources that say social media can help”
• “Sources that talk about design and policy fixes”

This mindset shift is at the heart of nearly all strong examples of how to write a synthesis essay. You’re organizing by concepts, not by source order.

Step 2: Write a thesis that promises synthesis

A good synthesis thesis:

• Makes a claim (your argument)
• Hints at tension or complexity (pros vs. cons, short-term vs. long-term)
• Suggests which kinds of evidence you’ll combine

Weak thesis example:

Social media has both positive and negative effects on teenagers.

Stronger thesis example of synthesis:

Although social media can help teens maintain friendships and find support, data from national health surveys and sleep studies suggest that its impact on rest and self-esteem is substantial enough that schools and parents should treat it as a public health issue, not just a hobby.

The second version clearly signals that you’ll be using multiple types of sources (surveys, sleep studies, maybe school data) to build your case.

Step 3: Use a clear paragraph pattern

Most high-scoring examples of how to write a synthesis essay follow a simple pattern in each body paragraph:

• Start with a claim sentence that connects to your thesis.
• Bring in two or more sources that relate to that claim.
• Explain how they agree, disagree, or add layers to each other.
• End with a sentence that pushes the idea forward, not just restates it.

Mini paragraph example (technology and attention):

Many researchers argue that constant notifications fragment students’ attention spans. A Stanford study on multitasking found that students who frequently switch between tasks perform worse on memory tests than those who focus on one task at a time. Similarly, a Pew survey reports that teachers increasingly see phones as a major classroom distraction. Together, these findings suggest that the problem is not technology itself, but the way apps are designed to demand immediate responses, making sustained focus harder for students.

Here you can see synthesis at work: one study plus one survey, woven into a single point.

AP Lang–style examples of how to write a synthesis essay

If you’re prepping for the AP English Language and Composition exam, you’ve probably seen the synthesis question on past tests. Let’s sketch a short AP-style example.

Sample AP-style prompt:

“To what extent should public libraries prioritize digital resources over physical books?”

You might get:

• A chart showing e-book vs. print usage
• An article from a librarian arguing for digital expansion
• A community op-ed defending print collections
• A budget report showing funding limits

Sample AP-style thesis:

Because public libraries serve diverse communities with different needs, they should expand digital collections without significantly cutting physical books, focusing instead on flexible spaces and staff training that allow patrons to move easily between print and digital resources.

Sample synthesis move in a body paragraph:

Usage data might seem to justify shifting heavily toward digital collections, since one chart shows e-book checkouts increasing by 40% over five years. Yet the community op-ed warns that some patrons, especially older adults and young children, still rely on print. When these two sources are considered together, they suggest that libraries should not choose between print and digital, but rather design spaces that support both, such as computer areas alongside children’s reading rooms.

This kind of paragraph shows exactly what AP readers look for in the best examples of synthesis essays: data, perspective, and a clear, reasoned connection.

Health topic examples of how to write a synthesis essay

Health-related prompts often appear in college classes because they require you to synthesize scientific research, policy debates, and personal experience.

Example: School start times and teen sleep

Prompt example:

“Should high schools start later in the morning?”

You might use:

• CDC data on teen sleep deprivation
• American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations
• A local news article about bus schedules and costs
• A student op-ed about feeling exhausted in first-period classes

Sample thesis:

Given consistent medical evidence from organizations like the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics that teenagers need more sleep than they are currently getting, high schools should shift start times later, even if this requires transportation changes and after-school schedule adjustments.

Sample body paragraph synthesis:

Medical organizations are unusually unified in recommending later start times for teens. The CDC reports that most high school students do not get the recommended 8–10 hours of sleep, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has formally urged schools to avoid start times before 8:30 a.m. At the same time, a local news article on one district’s attempt to move its schedule highlights concerns about bus routes and after-school jobs. Read together, these sources suggest that while logistical challenges are real, they do not outweigh the health benefits documented by national health authorities.

You can explore sleep recommendations at the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep

Quick checklist: Does your essay look like these examples?

As you draft, compare your work to these examples of how to write a synthesis essay by asking:

• Does my thesis combine ideas rather than just list topics?
• Do my body paragraphs bring in more than one source each?
• Do I explain how sources relate to each other (agree, disagree, add nuance)?
• Do I move from summary to analysis, showing what the combined evidence means?
• Do I acknowledge complexity or counterarguments somewhere in the essay?

If you can honestly say “yes” to most of those, you’re already writing at the level of the best examples you’ll see in AP or college classes.

FAQ: examples of synthesis essays and common questions

What is a good example of a synthesis essay thesis?

A good example of a synthesis essay thesis is one that takes a stand while hinting at the different kinds of evidence you’ll use. For instance:

“Although remote learning worsened outcomes for many K–12 students, research from the Department of Education and parent surveys shows that, when carefully designed, online options can be a lifeline for medically vulnerable students, so districts should keep a limited set of virtual programs in place.”

This thesis signals that you’ll be synthesizing government research and survey data to support a nuanced position.

Where can I find real examples of how to write a synthesis essay?

You can find real examples of synthesis essays in:

• Released AP Lang Free-Response Questions and Sample Responses on the College Board website
• Writing center resources from universities (often found on .edu sites)
• Composition textbooks that include sample student essays with annotations

Look for essays where each paragraph uses more than one source—those are usually the strongest examples of how to write a synthesis essay.

How many sources should I use in each body paragraph?

In many of the best examples, writers use two sources per body paragraph as a default. Some paragraphs might briefly reference a third source, but the key is that you’re putting sources into conversation rather than isolating them. Quality of explanation matters more than hitting a magic number.

Do I have to quote directly in a synthesis essay?

Not always. Many strong examples include a mix of short quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. The important thing is that you clearly show where your information comes from and that you explain why each piece of evidence matters for your argument.

Can I use personal experience in a synthesis essay?

Yes, if your teacher or exam allows it. Some of the most memorable examples include a brief personal anecdote or observation, then connect it to research or data. Just make sure your experience supports your argument rather than replacing the need for sources.

If you keep coming back to these real, concrete examples of how to write a synthesis essay—thesis statements, paragraph patterns, and topic ideas—you’ll start to see the form less as a mystery and more as a repeatable writing strategy you can adapt to almost any subject.