Preliminary Steps

Worksheet Description

This Synthesis Essay worksheet is designed to help students prepare for writing a synthesis essay by organizing their research and thoughts. It prompts students to outline what they aim to explain or support in their essay, identify commonalities and differences in their sources, and consider counterarguments to their thesis. Additionally, the worksheet guides students to think about how their sources can discredit the counterarguments and support their main idea. At the bottom, there is a space provided for writing a thesis sentence, which is the essay’s foundational argument.

The worksheet aims to teach students the critical preliminary steps in writing a synthesis essay, which includes gathering and contrasting multiple sources, as well as formulating a strong thesis statement. It encourages critical thinking by asking students to evaluate how their chosen sources interact with each other and with opposing viewpoints. The exercise facilitates a deeper understanding of the synthesis process, helping students to construct a nuanced argument supported by evidence. Ultimately, it provides a structured approach to developing an essay that integrates information from various perspectives into a coherent argument.