When it comes to writing your topic sentence don't forget to draw in your reader. However, don't overwhelm someone by trying to fit all 5 w's in the first sentence.

Please review definition of Synthesis and possibly find a video on how to write one. It will further develop your knowledge on writing

Try not to spend your whole time trying to make a judgement on your source. Credibility is extremely important. However, spending your whole time down a rabbit hole trying to prove your opinion instead of understanding the material could take up all your time and put you behind on the project causing you to rush your paper.

Something you never realize is the unconscious patterns of italicized and bold citations when you read. The more passages you read ie, essays, articles, documents. You will add these to your skills. It will benefit you to explore these concepts and how to cite correctly

You need to fully read the assignment and not just start writing on the prompt. You will return several times to the requirements. Either print the assignment requirements or have them pulled up while you are brainstorming. You will save yourself a lot of time

When it comes to choosing an audience, don't consider it writing to your instructor. Your audience can be someone you are trying to teach the subject to, or a piece for a future book you are writing. If you are just writing because your teacher assigned you are not understanding the assignment.

It is important to ask for help no matter what level of learning you are starting as a freshman, or a returning student. The world changes so much and you never know where the next big idea may come from.