i love language

How to Write a Synthesis 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 The writing prompt should direct you to what sort of themes or traits you should look for in your synthesis. You may be assigned two or more sources for synthesizing. In such cases you need to formulate your own purpose, and develop your own perspectives and interpretations. A systematic preliminary comparison will help. Begin by summarizing briefly the points, themes, or traits that the texts have in common (you might find summary-outline notes useful here). Explore different ways to organize the information depending on what you find or what you want to demonstrate. You might find it helpful to make different outlines or plans before you decide which 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, themes, etc. Structure a. The introduction: • Write a one-sentence statement that sums up the focus of your synthesis. • Introduce the texts to be synthesized: o Give the title of each source (following the citation guidelines of the style sheet you are using i.e., MLA, APA, or Chicago Style); o Provide the name of each author for each source; o Provide pertinent background information about the authors, about the texts to be summarized, and about the general topic from which the texts are drawn. 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; • Include information from more than one source; • Clearly indicate 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.] • Show the similarities or differences between the different sources in ways that make the paper as informative as possible; • Represent 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 using your own words does not mean that you are in anyway changing what the source says. c. Conclusion: When you have finished your paper, write a conclusion reminding readers of the most significant themes you have found and the ways they connect to the overall topic. You may also want to suggest further research or comment on things that it was not possible for you to discuss in the paper. If you are writing a background synthesis, in some cases it may be appropriate for you to offer an interpretation of the material or take a position (thesis). Check this option with your instructor before you write the final draft of your paper. 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.) • If you have read the original sources, did you identify the same theses? (If not, how do they differ?) • 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?) If there is time, answer the following questions • What is the organizational structure of the essay? (Draw a plan/diagram) • In what way does this structure work? (If not, how might your peer revise it?) • Is each paragraph structured effectively? (Draw a plan/diagram) 5. Analyze the position of each source; you can use these verbs to note the author’s tone: Argumentative: • affirms • argues • confirms • contends • denies • disagrees • believes • concedes • insists • rejects • responds • emphasizes Research: • adds • reveals • states • mentions • finds • verifies Emphasis: • alleges • warns • advises • admits • complains • holds • predicts • proposes • acknowledges • speculates • suggests 6. Which tense do I use? • MLA- use present tense: Shakespeare writes… • APA- use past tense: Dr. Bombay affirmed the value…

Everyone must have a title page which includes:

The title of your synthesis

The name of the school

Your degree title

The teacher's name

Your name

The date

The word count

Each page should:

have a footer with at the right hand side a page number and on the left hand side the date

have a header with on the left hand side the title of your synthesis and the right hand side your name

Remember to write a clear outline! Organize your thoughts well so that when you begin writing, you will be able to do so quickly.

Refer to the guidelines for writing a paragraph, use the various argumentative, research and emphasis verbs we went over in class. Use "joiners" or "connecters" such as those that we looked at in class.

Remember to cite your sources!!! If it's not your idea, you need to reference it.

Your bibliography should always be on a separate page and should be in ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

Note that a synthesis does not reflect your opinion, you are only presenting to your readers what each author is trying to say. You are merging their arguments together and presenting them in your own words in a coherent manner.

This is to my BBA1 Study Skills class a propos your critiques: don't forget to reference!

http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm

We read critically for a number of reasons, some personal, others academic and another still, professional. These are the main ones and they can of course, be divided into as many subheadings as you yourself deem necessary. Either way, reading critically is a valuable tool wherever you’ll find yourself, if only to sound “more intelligent” to that one person you want or need to impress. Whatever your reasons, here are a few tips…

A summary is only a brief statement highlighting the important points of whatever it is you’re reading.

An evaluation, however, is slightly more ambitious. Here, you need to assess the value of your reading material. This task is not altogether straightforward, but there are a couple of points you can keep in mind while attempting your evaluation. Ask yourself: does the author succeed in his or her attempt in illustrating his or her point and to what extent? Also, what is your own opinion, do you agree or disagree? Perhaps you’re torn between sides.

First decide on the type of writing you are reading; i.e., what is its’ purpose? A piece of writing can be informative, persuasive, entertaining or all three. Once you’ve established that, then you can ask yourself whether or not the author has succeeded in his or her purpose and how well they have managed it.

For example, if you have established that the writing was writing to inform, then ask yourself a number of other questions a propos your article.

·         What or who?

·         How does it work? Why?

·         What is the problem?

·         What happened?

·         How and why?

·         What are the results?

·         What are the arguments for and against?

Once you have established that it is an informative piece of writing, you’re going to want to make sure it is reliable or, accurate. Double check. Then figure out the significance of the information, ask yourself if it is important and if so, what impact does it have in current opinions etc. Finally, interpret the information. Give it your flavor, your opinion, juxtapose it against other sources you may have etc.

If what you are reading is trying to persuade you, then you must know what the essential organizing principle is of the book or article. In other words, what is the thesis statement. You can assess the validity of an argument by determining whether the author has (a) clearly defined key terms, (b) used the information at hand fairly and (c) if he argues logically and not fallaciously.

Make sure that when arguing your own opinion, you stay logical and most importantly factual. Argument for arguments’ sake won’t get you anywhere. Your words and ideas need to make sense on paper, so use relevant information and reliable sources to back up your statements.

Some guidelines for critiques:

·         INTRODUCE the passage, article, essay or book you read. Provide some background on the topic so your readers can familiarize themselves with it.

·         SUMMARIZE the passage etc. What is it all about?

·         ASSESS THE PRESENTATION. Is it accurate? Significant? Are the terms clearly defined? Is the information used or interpreted fairly? Is the argument logical?

·         RESPOND TO THE PRESENTATION. Remember to be clear and back up your opinion.

·         CONCLUDE. Remind the reader of the strengths and weaknesses of the passage, state your overall conclusions etc.

"As the new principal of Hertford College, I passionately believe universities must cleave to Enlightment principles."