Fall 2005: ENC 1102: Argument & Persuasion: Invoking the Professional Voice
Synthesis Notes
Synthesis is: "The combining of separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole" (dictionary.com). Synthesis is: "a written discussion that draws on two or more sources" (textbook).
An academic synthesis includes:
- two or more sources
- information on each source's argument, reasoning
- Summary of each, and then critical reading of each
- a combining of the sources so that they are in discussion with each other
- so, critical reading of the sources in concert with each other
Elements of academic synthesis include:
- compare and contrast
- cause-and-effect
- Persepolis example
Types of academic synthesis include:
- explanatory:
- argument:
How to write an academic synthesis:
- consider your purpose (critical thinking)
- select and carefully read your sources
- take notes on your reading
- formulate a thesis for the synthesis
- decide how you will use your source material
- develop an organizational plan
- draft the topic sentences for the main sections
- write the first draft of the synthesis
- document your sources
- revise your synthesis
Synthesis
The synthesis is an opportunity for you to analyze and compare two or three of your most significant sources as a precursor to the research paper. The goal is to survey and make sense of the research relevant to your topic. Think about what the sources have in common, how they differ, and how they are in conversation with one another. Does your field have one or more dominant approaches? Is there controversial new research that breaks with what has been done previously? The synthesis will help you establish and limit the context of your research questions, demonstrate a knowledge of the trends and issues that frame your position, evaluate the credibility of the available research, and establish your own credibility as a researcher. As a rhetorical model, take note of how the scholarly articles you are reading engage with one another in their first few pages.
Yes, you must include a Works Cited or References page, correctly formatted.
View a sample synthesis in PDF. This synthesis is a little longer than your page requirement, but it provides you with a good example. Your synthesis should be 2-3 pages. You will already have 100+ words written on each site from your annotated bibliography. Use those summaries as a basis to get started writing on the synthesis if you need to.