Synthesis

Synthesis, Defined “Synthesis” is a written discussion of two or more research sources that draws connections and/or makes clear the relationship between those sources. The ideas should support not only your topic/main idea, but also each other.

Synthesis, Defined There are two types of synthesis: informative/explanatory, and argumentative. Informative/explanatory synthesis aims to inform. Argumentative synthesis aims to persuade.

Synthesis: What It Ain’t Synthesis is NOT: Just quoting two or more things in a paragraph, period. One source only related to itself. Random language thrown in for no apparent reason. False relationships between sources.

Two or More Quotes Period

Two or More Quotes Period In this quote, the writer quotes two different sources, but does not explain what relationship or connection exists between the sources. This is not an effective use of synthesis – or a use of synthesis at all!

Only One Source

Only One Source Here, the writer has only quoted one source, and while they have tried to use synthesis language (Smithers agrees that…), you cannot have effective synthesis from only one source.

Random Language

Random Language Here, the writer uses synthesis language (agrees) to try to show a relationship, but there is only one source being quoted. Just because you find a research source that agrees with your main idea/topic and you quote that in your essay, this does not mean you have performed effective synthesis.

False Relationship

False Relationship The writer of this passage is trying to make a connection between two quotes, but the quotes are not really talking about the same thing. Yes, they both mention chocolate, but they do so in very different ways and for very different purposes. Just because some of the language is the same, this does not mean the two quotes are related.

Good Example

Good Example The phrase “experts tell us” tells us as readers that the writer is combining ideas about “opposition to immigration,” then gives examples. The words in italics show the cohesion of ideas across sources through the use of repeated key words that connect to economic objections or questions. The writer uses their own voice to synthesize the sources into a single, coherent discussion of the topic through the use of two outside sources. This is EXACTLY what synthesis does!

Types of Connections/Relationships What are some types of connections and relationships between sources that we can discuss?

Key Features of Synthesis Accurately reports information from the sources using a variety of words and phrases. Organized in such a way that readers can quickly and easily see how the sources relate to each other without having to do any guesswork. Makes sense of the sources and helps the reader understand them better.

Mistakes to Avoid Avoid constructing the entire body of your essay from quotes, summaries, and/or paraphrases. You need to have your own ideas front and center!

Mistakes to Avoid Avoid overwhelming readers with too many facts, statistics, examples, and quotations. If you overwhelm the reader, your own ideas will get lost.

Mistakes to Avoid Avoid starting or ending a paragraph with quotes, summaries, or paraphrases. Provide your own ideas first for context and clarity, then show how your research materials support these ideas. Finally, end with your own original thoughts or ideas about the topic being discussed.

Tips to Help You Start Begin with a clear, focused, well thought-out thesis statement. Everything in your essay flows out from the thesis, so the better this is, the better your essay will be. And remember, your essay should work to support whatever goal you set out to accomplish in the thesis.

Tips to Help You Start Come up with a series of sentences that support your main idea/topic, and use those as the topics for your body paragraphs. Once this is done, you can go back and find materials from your research to help prove your point.

Tips to Help You Start Makes notes as you read research materials. Look for ways the materials are related to each other. Do they agree? Do they disagree? Do they contradict, contrast, or form comparisons between each other? Does one fill in gaps in information from another? Does one take an idea further, or push an argument in a different way?

Questions to Ask Yourself: Is the relationship between sources made clear? Are synthesis words/phrases used to show the relationship between sources? Are a variety of synthesis words/phrases used? Does the synthesis language accurately portray the relationship or connection between sources? Have quotes, summaries, and/or paraphrases been over used? Have your own ideas been lost in the shuffle? Is one or more source synthesized more than others?