How to Write a Synthesis



How to Write a Synthesis Essay

“Synthesis Writing: to combine the ideas of more than one source with your own.

“Key Features of a Synthesis

• Report information from the sources using different phrases and sentences;

• Organize so that readers can immediately see where information from the sources overlap;

• Make sense of the sources and help the reader understand them in greater depth.

“Preparing to write your Synthesis Essay

You should locate two or more sources for synthesizing. You should develop your own perspectives and interpretations of those sources—your analysis—and include your analysis in the paper.

A systematic preliminary comparison will help. Begin by summarizing briefly the points, themes, or traits that the texts have in common. Note differences in the sources as well.

Explore different ways to organize the information depending on what you find or what you want to argue. You might find it helpful to make several outlines or plans before you decide which sources to use.

“Writing the Synthesis Essay

Your synthesis should be organized so that others can understand the sources and evaluate your comprehension of them and their presentation of specific data, examples, and supporting points.

“Structure

a. The introduction:

b. The body:

Your organization will be determined by the assignment or by the patterns you see in the material you are synthesizing (theme, point, similarity, or aspect of the topic). The organization is the most important part of a synthesis, so choose the most effective format for your topic.

Be sure that each paragraph:

• Begins with a sentence or phrase that informs readers of the topic of the paragraph;

• Includes information from more than one source;

• Clearly indicates which material comes from which source using transitions and topic sentences, and in-text citations.

• [Beware of plagiarism: Accidental plagiarism most often occurs when students are synthesizing sources and do not indicate where the synthesis ends and their own comments begin or vice verse.]

• Shows the similarities or differences between the different sources in ways that make the paper as informative as possible;

• Represents the texts fairly--even if that seems to weaken the paper! Look upon yourself as a synthesizing machine; you are simply repeating what the source says in fewer words and in your own words. The fact that you are paraphrasing does not mean that you are, in any way, changing what the source says.

• Includes your own analysis of the sources

c. Conclusion:

When you have finished your paper, write a conclusion reminding readers of the most significant supporting details you have found and the ways they connect to the overall topic

“Checking your own writing and that of your peers

Read a peer's synthesis and then answer the following questions:

• Is it clear what is being synthesized? (i.e.: Did your peer list the source(s), and cite it/them correctly?)

• Is it always clear which source your peer is talking about at any given moment?

• Is the thesis of each original text clear in the synthesis? (Write out what you think each thesis is.)

• Does it seem like any key points are missing from the synthesis? (If so, what are they?)

• Did your peer include opinions in his or her synthesis? (If so, what are they?)

For this assignment, you will write an argumentative paper, which is 4-6 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font. You must have three or more credible sources for your paper. You may use two sources from Prose Reader, if you wish, and an outside source. However, all of your sources may be outside sources. You should use good academic sources from the CSUB library or the library research database.

Possible topics are as follows:

Instead of writing note cards, you should write formal summaries of your sources, which you will include in your synthesis essay. You may choose to use one or more rhetorical modes in your essay. Please refer to the Essay Structure handout for information about how to organize this essay. Your paper should be at least 4 pages long and should not exceed 6 pages. You should use MLA parenthetical citation and include a Works Cited page, which is not part of the essay length. Refer to Quick Access for proper citation methods.

Please organize the synthesis essay as follows from bottom to top:

• Copies of outside sources (on the bottom)

• Brainstorm or outline

• Summaries of sources (in place of note cards)

• Peer review form

• Rough drafts

• Final draft and Works Cited page (on the top)

Please submit the essay in a folder.

You may pick up your essay on ______________________________.

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