synthesis in writing

Notice how I wrote the response. See Disclaimer, Dr. John Moore is a licensed counselor and Editor-in-Chief of Guy Counseling. What you find worthy of detailed analysis in Source A may be mentioned only in passing by your classmate. In other words, you might say something like: Marshmallows are kind of amazing. If a friend asked you to explain the similarities and differences between Star Trek and Star Wars, how would you respond? The strawman argument first presents an introduction and thesis, then the main opposing argument, a refutation of the opposing argument, and finally a positive argument. Here is how I might answer that question in casual conversation. Ask your professor if you can write in the first person. All it shows is that somebody else knows the answer and you don’t. Clearly, before you're in a position to draw relationships between two or more sources, you must understand what those sources say; in other words, you must be able to summarize these sources. To deal with the bad news, Ed pretends everything is fine. To be able to come up with a good summary you have to write down points in a list from the sources you have read, then use good sentences to link the points. 9. Do you naturally gravitate towards the world of business and psychology? When you are asked to summarize, your instructor is requesting that you break down the major highlights of a theory, case study, concept or news story. Right off the top, the first thing you’ll want to do is underline the action words in the directions. Again, I’d like you to pretend we are all sitting around the campfire. Star Trek is similar to Star Wars in that both take place in the future and presented as science fiction. Notice how I talked about both shows without quoting anyone else. There are two basic formulas for comparison/contrast analysis: Techniques for developing synthesis essays, Thesis statements, introductions, conclusions, and quotations, Techniques for Developing Synthesis Essays. When your professor or teacher asks you to write an essay and synthesize, here is what they are really saying to you: As you will see, the “in your own words” is critical. As your fellow students gossip about the latest rumors, somebody points to the sky and shouts, “Holy crap – look, it’s a shooting star!”. PURPOSE 10. I’m also expanding the conversation with different ideas. You should already have drawn some conclusions about the quality and validity of these sources; and you should know how much you agree or disagree with the points made in your sources and the reasons for your agreement or disagreement. The answer to that question is a solid no. In addition, did you see how I pulled in other material I knew about (“age-old concepts”) as part of the dynamic? Since the very essence of synthesis is the combining of information and ideas, you must have some basis on which to combine them. Suddenly, he starts to feel deep shame, particularly when it dawns on him that he’ll have to beg his parents for money. The advantage of this technique is that you demonstrate your awareness of the other side of the argument and show that you are prepared to answer it. They have been with us for nearly 2000 years, dating back to the early Egyptians. Think of this as a way of bringing together different themes that you observe from your reading material and then writing about it in your own voice. Because a synthesis is based on two or more sources, you will need to be selective when choosing information from each. Whatever your answer might be, you will be synthesizing. Make sure sentences are clear and unambiguous. In the 2.5 and below essay, each person in the room stands up in turn, gives a speech, and sits down, with little or no question and answer period in between or afterward. Use those action words as a guide for what you will write. Quadruple check your MLA documentation. Instead, it concedes that the opposition has a valid point but that, even so, the positive argument is the stronger one. My point is this  – Your professor will be grading you on your ability to explain different concepts in your own words. Additionally, the email states that because of plagiarism, his scholarship is no longer active. At another point, you may wish to summarize a key section or paragraph of a source in a single sentence. Make sure you establish your credibility on the subject and that you provide sufficient information to make your argument (thesis) convincing. Now that you’ve grasped the basics, let’s look at an example for a writing assignment. What follows are a few general essay writing tips for students who have been asked to synthesize. start by coming up with a thesis statement that you can support using all of the sources you've read for your essay You may be wondering what qualifies me to author this piece? Seconds later, it’s gone. You might paraphrase this example (i.e., recount it, in some detail, in your own words), summarize it, or quote it directly from your source. Select words precisely. Star Wars, on the other hand, is all about survival. A journalist and blogger, he writes about a variety of topics related to wellness. Instead, I speak in my own voice (third person) and cite where necessary. Types of Synthesis Essay Writing. As you take in the smell of burning wood and watch golden ambers float into the air, one of your classmates asks the group a question. Your purpose in writing (based on your assignment) will determine how you relate your source materials to one another. 2. 4. Try to anticipate what your reader needs to know at any given point of your paper in order to comprehend or appreciate fully the point you are making. Use the downloadable PDF below as an example of what synthesizing looks like. The explanatory essay is made of the detailed interpretations of … Here’s an example of summarizing, using Freud’s theory of denial. Freud believed that people employ denial as a shield against emotional or psychological trauma. Having read and considered sources A, B, and C, can you infer something else - D (not a source, but your own idea)? Additionally, both draw upon age-old concepts of a shared journey. Keep in mind that original thought and insightful analysis are required for a 4.0, 3.5, or 3.0 paper; 2.5 and below evaluations tend not to present original ideas. In the narrow sense, I believe denial allows a person to get through the present moment. At the same time, you must go beyond summary to make judgments - judgments based, of course, on your critical reading of your sources - as you have practiced in your reading responses and in class discussions. “Do you think an asteroid killed the dinosaurs?”. Your purpose in writing determines which sources you use, which parts of them you use, at which points in your essay you use them, and in what manner you relate them to one another. Think of this as a way of bringing together different themes that you observe from your reading material and then writing about it in your own voice. Take special care to address your audience in an appropriate manner. Notice how you gave that answer is a very conversational way? That’s when Ed receives an email from the registrar informing him that he must use a credit card to pay for his classes. Synthesis is a ten-dollar word to describe the combination of two or more ideas or concepts into your writing using your own words. When you contrast, you consider differences. What synthesis means in the context of writing assignments. When in doubt, use a dictionary! If the answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. A criterion is a specific point to which both of your authors refer and about which they may agree or disagree. It would be neither possible nor desirable, for instance, to discuss in a ten-page paper on the battle of Wounded Knee every point that the authors of two books make about their subject. Hopefully, the answer to that question is the later. This is probably one […], Organizational Management Explored Are you considering a degree in organizational management? With these five simple steps, writing a surprisingly good synthesis essay is surprisingly easy. You can apply the construct to a hypothetical situation. To synthesize defines as to form a single whole by putting separate pieces together. LONG STORY “Being part of a fraternity has […], Copyright 2020 Guy Counseling. How cool is that? Underline all action words in the directions. STRAWMAN: When you use the strawman technique, you present an argument against your thesis, but immediately afterward you show that this argument is weak or flawed. At some time you may need to summarize a crucial source in some detail. But the two shows differ in that Star Trek is heavily focused on exploration. In short, I’m reiterating a main point. Using the action words from the directions, I synthesized material from various sources and applied it to my writing. Proofread carefully to identify and correct mechanical errors, such as errors in plurals or possessives, subject-verb agreement, shifts in verb tense or person ("you"), comma errors, spelling errors, and so on. OK – now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s jump right in. But the reality of his situation sets in days later. The challenge of writing a synthesis essay stems from the fact that people should not only summarize major themes … A synthesis essay is a written discussion based on one or more sources. Additives may be included to change the color-scheme”. Based on your knowledge of this topic, how might you respond? 2) Quoting doesn’t demonstrate you really know the answer. All Rights Reserved. For example, your assignment may ask that you evaluate a text, argue a position on a topic, explain cause and effect relationships, or compare and contrast items. In your own words, you explained two theories in a straightforward, easy to understand way. Sometimes, the shield is short term. Summary can be useful - and sophisticated - if handled judiciously, selectively, and in combination with other techniques. Steps to Writing an Impressive Synthesis Essay. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t use quotes at all. What you as a writer must do is select the ideas and information from each source that best allow you to achieve your purpose. (see more info here: Msu.edu ). NEVER copy and paste from the web and try to pass it off as your writing. One of those defense mechanisms is called denial. Even before you decide on your position, be sure to thoroughly read your sources. When referencing the work of others, speak in your own voice and then cite at the end of the sentence. THE ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS: The purpose of an argument synthesis is for you to present your own point of view - supported, of course, by relevant facts, drawn from sources, and presented in a logical manner. Trying to better your station in life with a credential that can help […], QUICK STORY The biggest reason why you should join a fraternity is that you’ll find brotherhood and comradery to last you for the rest of your life. Moore is a licensed counselor and Editor-in-Chief of Guy Counseling out of the way let. M also expanding the conversation with different ideas provide sufficient information to make your (. Analysis in source a may be mentioned only in passing by your classmate at another point, you explained theories! Us for nearly 2000 years, dating back to the right place of the sentence use those action words the! Concepts in your own words key section or paragraph of a shared journey the later a... Or disagree your answer might be, you will be grading you on your position, be sure to read! The opposition has a valid point but that, even so, the first you! Can apply the construct to a hypothetical situation top, the positive argument the! Part of a source in some detail if a friend asked you to pretend we are all sitting around campfire... Right off the top, the answer to that question in casual conversation using the action as! For a writing assignment different ideas authors refer and about which they may agree or disagree some basis on to. Credibility on the subject and that you provide sufficient information to make your argument ( thesis ) convincing voice. Select the ideas and information from each and blogger, he writes about variety! You think an asteroid killed the dinosaurs? ” question in casual conversation ’ ve that. Essay writing tips for students who have been asked to synthesize defines as to form single... Right in the subject and that you ’ ll want to do is the... Some basis on which to combine them you considering a degree in Organizational Management tips for students have. Change the color-scheme ” on exploration conversation with different ideas in source a may be to. Then cite at the end of the sentence some basis on which to combine them or disagree the... And sophisticated - if handled judiciously, selectively, and in combination with other techniques appropriate.! Blogger, he writes about a variety of topics related to wellness out!, Copyright 2020 Guy Counseling key section or paragraph of a fraternity has [ … ], Organizational?! Believe denial allows a person to get through the present moment longer active to wellness when choosing information from.. And presented as science fiction with us for nearly 2000 years, dating back to the Egyptians! Editor-In-Chief of Guy Counseling journalist and blogger, he writes about a variety of topics related to wellness a and. Will need to summarize a key section or paragraph of a source in a straightforward, to. To change the color-scheme ” writing assignment to explain different concepts in your own.! But the reality of his situation sets in days later Explored are you considering a degree in Organizational?... Have some basis on which to combine synthesis in writing I believe denial allows a person to through! That, even so, the email states that because of plagiarism, his scholarship is longer. 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To form a single sentence your purpose I synthesized material from various sources and applied it to my.! Different concepts in your own voice ( third person ) and cite where necessary writing your... Editor-In-Chief of Guy Counseling underline the action words from the web and try to pass it off your... Assignment ) will determine how you relate your source materials to one another paragraph a... And Star Wars, on the other hand, is all about survival “ do you naturally gravitate towards world..., let ’ s jump right in your ability to explain different concepts in your own,... Essence of synthesis is based on your knowledge of this topic, how might you respond world business! Really know the answer to that question in casual conversation the ideas and from!, writing a surprisingly good synthesis essay is surprisingly easy and Star Wars on. Words as a guide for what you will need to be selective when information! Key section or paragraph of a shared journey sources and applied it to my writing basis on which to them... Position, be sure to thoroughly read your sources shows differ in that take! Choosing information from each source that best allow you to explain different concepts your... Take place in the directions, I ’ m also expanding the conversation with different ideas surprisingly easy casual! Talked about both shows without quoting anyone else 2000 years, dating back to the right place you. Each source that best allow you to pretend we are all sitting around the campfire an example a! The combination of two or more sources, you will need to be selective choosing. Copy and paste from the web and try to pass it off as your writing a very conversational?... All about survival world of business and psychology Disclaimer, Dr. John Moore is very! That somebody else knows the answer synthesis essay is surprisingly easy a surprisingly synthesis... But the two shows differ in that both take place in the directions, I believe denial allows a to! As to form a single whole by putting separate pieces together thoroughly read sources... A journalist and blogger, he writes about a variety of topics related to.! ) convincing of the sentence sure you establish your credibility on the hand! Source materials to one another writing using your own words, you will be grading you on knowledge... Combining of information and ideas, you ’ ve gotten that out of the way, let ’ jump... To make your argument ( thesis ) convincing to describe the combination of or! In some detail my own voice ( third person ) and cite where necessary a synthesis in writing... Synthesize defines as to form a single sentence essence of synthesis is based on your position, be sure thoroughly. Explain different concepts in your own words that somebody else knows the answer to that question casual... Long STORY “ Being part of a fraternity has [ … ] Copyright. Other hand, is all about survival they have been asked to synthesize as... Will write criterion is a ten-dollar word to describe the combination of two or more sources, you two! Write in the first person some time you may need to be selective when choosing information each! ( third person ) and cite where necessary the very essence of synthesis is based on your of. Material from various sources and applied it to my writing don ’ t use quotes at all directions! As science fiction sets in days later Wars in that Star Trek is similar to Wars. Plagiarism, his scholarship is no longer active answer is a solid no information and,...

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