Below is a sample outline and a well-developed evaluative (review) synthesis essay in APA 7th ed. titled: “Evaluating Online Learning in Higher Education.” This sample is intended to help students write better essays.
Synthesis Essay: Evaluating Online Learning in Higher Education
Sample Evaluative Synthesis Essay Outline
- Introduction
- Hook: Start with a compelling statistic or statement about the growth of online learning.
- Background: Provide context on the rise of online education in higher ed.
- Thesis Statement: State your overall evaluation and the criteria you’ll use to assess online learning in higher education.
- Body Paragraphs
- Source 1: “The Impact of Online Learning on Student Performance”
- Summary: Briefly summarize the main points of the source.
- Evaluation: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the study’s methodology, findings, and relevance to the topic.
- Source 2: “Challenges of Online Education: A Faculty Perspective”
- Summary: Summarize the key findings and insights from this source.
- Evaluation: Discuss the credibility of the author and the source, and analyze how faculty perspectives contribute to the understanding of online learning challenges.
- Source 3: “Online Learning Platforms: A Comparative Analysis”
- Summary: Provide an overview of the platforms compared and the key takeaways.
- Evaluation: Evaluate the thoroughness of the comparison and the implications for students and educators.
- Source 4: “Online Learning and Student Engagement”
- Summary: Summarize the research on student engagement in online courses.
- Evaluation: Assess the significance of student engagement in online learning and the implications for student success.
- Synthesis and Comparison
- Identify Common Themes: Highlight recurring themes or patterns across the sources.
- Compare and Contrast: Discuss how the sources agree or disagree on key aspects of online learning.
- Evaluation Criteria: Use your predetermined criteria to evaluate the overall effectiveness and challenges of online learning based on the sources.
- Counterarguments
- Address Counterarguments: Acknowledge potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints.
- Refutation or Qualification: Explain why these counterarguments may not undermine your evaluation or suggest ways to address their concerns.
- Conclusion
- Recap: Summarize your key findings and evaluations from the sources.
- Restate Thesis: Reiterate your overall evaluation of online learning in higher education.
- Closing Thoughts: Offer final insights or recommendations based on your synthesis and evaluation.
- Works Cited
- List all the sources used in your essay in the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
- Follow any formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or institution, such as font size, margins, spacing, and citation style.
Remember to follow the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or institution regarding formatting, citation style, and length for your evaluative synthesis essay.
