WHAT IS A SYNTHESIS?
Synthesis means the combination of a number of simple sentences into one new sentence simple, compound or complex.
A synthesis is a written discussion that draws on one or more sources.
“Synthesis” is the ability to combine parts of a whole in new and different ways.
It requires students to think flexibly, determine alternatives, and find new ways to accomplish a given task.
You must understand what those sources say.
You must go beyond summary to make judgments - judgments based, on your critical reading of your sources.
And you should know how much you agree or disagree with the points made in your sources.
TWO TYPES OF SYNTHESES:
THE EXPLANATORY SYNTHESIS:
An explanatory synthesis helps readers to understand a topic.
Explanations may entail descriptions that re-create in words some object, place, event, sequence of events, or state of affairs.
The purpose in writing an explanatory essay is not to argue a particular point, but rather to present the facts in a reasonably objective manner.
THE ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS:
The purpose of an argument synthesis is to present your own point of view supported, by relevant facts, and presented in a logical manner.
Synthesis Writing.
A synthesis involves combining two or more summaries.
This combining must be done in a meaningful way.
Writing about printed texts, drawing together particular themes or traits that you observe in those texts and organizing the material from each text according to those themes or traits.
Key Features of a Synthesis:
* It accurately reports information from the sources using different phrases and sentences.
* It is organized in such a way that readers can immediately see where the information from the sources overlap.
* It makes sense of the sources and helps the reader understand them in greater depth.
Synthesis in everyday life.
Whenever you report to a friend the things several other friends have said about a film or CD you engage in synthesis.
People synthesize information naturally to help other see the connections between things they learn.
Synthesis searches for links between materials for the purpose of constructing a thesis or theory.
Synthesis Writing Outside of College.
A product line, synthesize information and arrange it by topic rather than by source.
the quality and usefulness of your synthesis will depend on your accuracy and organization.
The Background Synthesis.
SubtopicThe background synthesis requires that you bring together background information on a topic and organize it by topic rather than by source.
Instructors often assign background syntheses at the early stages of the research process.
Have a purpose to present the information that is out there in a helpful and logical way.
Frequently writers of background synthesis papers develop a thesis before they have finished.
A Thesis-driven Synthesis.
Sometimes there is very little obvious difference between a background synthesis and a thesis-driven synthesis.
The difference will be most visible in the topic sentences to each paragraph because instead of introducing the material for the paragraph that will follow, they will also link back to the thesis and assert that this information is essential.
All research papers are also synthesis papers.
Synthesis of the Literature.
May be one paragraph or several pages depending on the length of the paper--is similar to the background synthesis.
Your primary purpose is to show readers that you are familiar with the field and are thus qualified to offer your own opinions.
Because each discipline has specific rules and expectations, you should consult your professor or a guide book for that specific.
Preparing to write your Synthesis Essay.
your preparation for the synthesis will very likely involve comparison.
In such cases you need to formulate your own purpose, and develop your own perspectives and interpretations.
As the most important aspect of a synthesis is its organization, you can't spend too long on this aspect of your paper!