2. WHAT IS A SYNTHESIS?
A synthesis is a
written discussion
that draws on two or
more sources.
It depends upon
your ability to infer
relationships among
sources.
4. HOW DO WE “DO” SYNTHESIS?
1. we summarize our sources.
2. we make judgments of our sources based on a
critical reading.
3. we reach conclusions based on the quality
and validity of these sources and whether we
agree or disagree.
4. now that we have more than one source, we
need to determine relationships among our
sources.
5. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR PURPOSE…
Locate sources relevant to your topic
Select only those parts that will fulfill your
purpose
Relate selected parts to each other
How you make use of each source depends on
your purpose
Thus, you need to understand fully your
purpose before pursuing a research project
6. WHERE DO WE FIND WRITTEN SYNTHESES?
Analysis papers
Research papers
Argument papers
Essay exams
Newspaper and
magazine articles
Position papers
Business plans
Memos and letters
Websites
7. TWO TYPES OF SYNTHESIS
Explanatory ---
objective is to offer
information
Argument ---
objective is to
persuade or
convey opinion or
interpretation
11. ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT
Claim- a proposition or conclusion that you are
trying to prove
Support (evidence) – comes in the form of fact or
expert opinion
Assumption-an underlying belief or principal about
some aspect of the world and how it operates
*Your assumption links your supporting
evidence to your claim
* Assumptions tend to be general and unstated
13. PRESENT AND RESPOND TO
COUNTERARGUMENTS
Introduction and claim
Main opposing
argument
Refutation of opposing
argument
Main positive argument
14. USE CONCESSION
Introduction and claim
Important opposing
argument
Concession of opposing
argument validity
Positive arguments
15. AVOID THE “SO WHAT” OR “WHY DID I BOTHER
READING THIS” ENDING
Conclusions should
be meaningful to
your reader.
Comparison and
contrast is not an
ends to itself
Raise pertinent
questions
