The document provides an introduction to synthesis essays, which ask students to analyze and critique multiple sources on a topic, both individually and in relation to each other. It outlines the steps to complete a synthesis essay assignment, including formulating a topic question, researching sources, summarizing and analyzing each source, identifying themes, and developing new insights by exploring connections between sources. Examples of synthesis are provided to demonstrate comparing theses and antitheses from different sources and developing a new perspective that considers arguments from both sides.

1. Introduction to Unit 4:
Literature Review/
Synthesis Essay
Allyn and Bacon Chapters 8 and 13

2. The Next Step . . .
In past units, you have been asked to reflect, summarize,
and analyze on both the rhetorical and idea levels. You have
been asked to objectively critique a piece of writing with
both “with the grain” and “against the grain”points,
effectively outlining a single author’s argument without
placing yourself into the conversation.
SYNTHESIS asks you to do many of these things but for
multiple sources AND to critique these sources both
individually and within relation to each other (and the
perceived general discourse on the topic). Synthesis asks you
to present what is known about a topic, what is unknown,
what needs to be investigated, and finally what new
perspectives were gained from the investigation.

3. Asking a Question . . .
“The need to synthesize ideas usually begins when you pose a
problematic question that sends you on an intellectual journey
through a group of texts.”– Ramage, Bean, and Johnson.

4. Two Types of Questions You’ll
Need
General Topic Questions:
What effect is technology having on the quality of human life?
Should Standardized testing be used in college admissions?
Is online learning effective?
Critical/Source Questions:
What are the common assumptions and conclusions?
What problems and solutions appear?
What are the differences in presentation/solutions etc.?
Do you side with a certain source more than others?

5. How to attack this essay
assignment
Step 1: Formulate a topic/ topic question
Step 2: Search for sources
Step 3: Briefly evaluate, summarize, and analyze sources (Annotated
Bibliography). Think about the tension between sources and what realizations
might come from this tension.
Step 4: Summarize each source.
Step 5: Analyze each source on idea levels (Your Analysis should lead into
your Synthesis)
Step 6: Identify main issues or themes in your chosen sources. Explore
similarities and differences in ideas.
Step 7: Explore your own views on the original synthesis question and how
your views have evolved since your exploration. What do you want to say
about the connections between the texts and what they mean. What new
insights have you gained? What should be done?

6. A closer look at analyzing your sources and
incorporating text
Think about analyzing sources like a pie, sandwich, or
an Oreo cookie.
The top bread: Introducing the aspect of the topic you
are critiquing/providing context.
The meat/ cream center/ fruit filling: Comparison and
Contrast, your critique, textual evidence.
The Bottom bread: Reflection on your analysis, what
does this critical point mean for your synthesis
question? How can you link this to another critique pt?
Is there another source that opposes this criticism?

7. Structure of the Synthesis
Essay
Introduction (Presents Synthesis question, provides
topic context, hooks reader)
Summary of texts (each source should be summarized)
Thesis Statement
Analytical Sections (Should logically flow toward your
synthesis and be connected via transitions.)
Synthesis Sections (Realizations/ Evaluations)
Conclusion (Reiterates values and limitations of the
text you have analyzed. Pulls together your new
insights. Leaves the reader thinking about your views.

8. For now, let’s focus specifically on synthesis and how one
pulls together ideas from multiple sources in order to
present a dialogue and forward your views.

9. What was Synthesis again?
Synthesis is the result of comparing two or more
contrasting ideas. The original idea is called a 'thesis'
and the second, opposite idea is called an 'anti-thesis'.
In academic writing it is often necessary for writers to
consider different points of view and decide whether to
support one point of view, the other point of view, a
combination of them, or neither of them. This can be
followed by, and support, the writer's opinion.
In the following example, notice how the writer
summarizes the arguments of the two authors before
giving the synthesis.

10. Example 1:
Thesis Anti-Thesis
This study has therefore revealed that It is claimed that computer games have
children who play computer games on negative physical effects on eyesight,
hands and posture. However, all of these
a regular basis experience a number are caused by the computer hardware
of medical problems. The evidence and equipment, not by the software.
suggests that the most serious The same physical effects occur from
problem is crooked posture, which is prolonged usage of computers for any
caused by their being hunched over reason, such as word-processing. In fact,
their computers for considerable carpal tunnel syndrome was identified
as a workplace ailment caused by office
periods of time. Another common programs, not games. These physical
problem associated with playing effects can all be reduced or eliminated
computer games over long periods by better hardware and more attention
(when the same moves are constantly to ergonomics, such as higher-resolution
repeated) is that of pain in the hands and higher-contrast screens, and
supportive furniture
(Source: Brown) (Source: Smith)

11. Example 1: Synthesis A
The effects of playing computer games on physical
health are controversial (Brown , 2000; Smith, 2003).
Although Brown (2000, p.141) states that computer
games can cause physical problems such as bad posture
and pain in the hands, Smith (2003) argues that these
problems are caused by the hardware, not the games.
In my opinion the games cause physical health
problems because they encourage long periods of
computer use on harmful hardware.

12. Example 1: Synthesis B
The effects of playing computer games on physical
health are controversial (Brown , 2000; Smith, 2003).
Brown (2000, p.141) suggests that computer games can
cause physical problems such as bad posture and pain
in the hands. However, Smith (2003) points out that
these problems are caused by the hardware, not the
games. I believe that the physical health problems are
caused by games as they encourage long periods of
computer use on harmful hardware.

13. Example 1: Synthesis C
The effects of playing computer games on physical
health are controversial (Brown , 2000; Smith, 2003).
According to Brown (2000, p.141) computer games
can cause physical problems such as bad posture and
pain in the hands. Smith (2003) disagrees, and argues
that these problems are caused by the hardware, not
the games. I contend that the physical health problems
are due to the long periods of computer use on
harmful hardware which occur when children are
playing computer games.

14. Example 2
Thesis Anti-Thesis
As was noted earlier, the majority of On the issue of violence, the modern
computer games produced today have media surrounds us with violence.
violence as their principal theme. Movies such as 'The Matrix', television
Despite the growing concerns of parents programs such as the news, newspaper
and teachers in the past decade, it reports of sports such as boxing, and
would appear from my research that radio dramas often involve violence. It is
violence in computer games is difficult to watch TV for one evening
becoming increasingly realistic and without seeing an explosion, car chase,
explicit. We are thus faced with the death or violence. Children's programs
familiar question: Does playing violent are especially violent, as is shown by
computer games lead to aggressive Tom and Jerry. If young children are
behaviour in young people? This is expected to realise that it is only a
clearly a highly complex issue. Research cartoon, teenagers playing computer
conducted in the past decade has games can also recognise that it's only a
revealed that young people who game.In addition, many computer
regularly play violent computer games games are non-violent, for example, 'The
have a tendency to be more aggressive Sims' is a very popular game of social
than those who do not. Perhaps not interaction, and football playing and
surprisingly, my findings tend to management games involve almost no
support this position. (Walker) violence. (Smith)

15. Example 2: Synthesis A
Walker's findings (2001, p.116) show that 'young
people who regularly play violent computer games have
a tendency to be more aggressive than those who do
not'. If this research compares children who have been
equally exposed to violence in other media, Smith's
(2003) arguments about violence in the media are not
relevant. In addition, Walker only examined violent
computer games, so Smith's argument about non-
violent computer games is irrelevant.

16. Example 3
THESIS: One problem that Internet users ANTI-THESIS: Although, for a novice
have to deal with is the huge quantity and user, the results returned by Internet
variety of sources of possible interest to search engines may appear confusing
them. This creates problems of how to select and any bias may not be obvious, these
problems are becoming less serious.
relevant information. The problems are Firstly, although some search engines
aggravated by a lack of effective search tools. have problems, there is a wide range of
Many search facilities are limited in their engines available. Users can choose a
capabilities and are consequently not able to search engine which suits them and
deal with the volume of available resources. gives informative and relevant results.
Some search engines often return a huge Secondly, modern search engines often
number of results to users’ queries, and the identify sponsored links. If users find
details provided in the search output often that their search engine refers them to
sites that give irrelevant commercial
lack enough detail to enable users to assess
links, they can use a different search
the relevance of the sites which are listed. engine. Finally, as the Internet becomes
However, other search engines source a more mature, users become more
limited number and kind of sites. This experienced. Therefore they can
makes the list of sites they provide both increasingly use search terms or
restrictive and possibly biased. It is hard for advanced search functions which give
the untrained eye to detect these better results. (Smith)
restrictions.

17. Example 3: Synthesis
Cuisinier (2000) criticises search engines for returning
too many results with not enough, or biased,
information. According to Smith (2003), the situation
is improving as users have a choice of search engines,
and sponsored links are now often identified.
However, I believe that there is still room for
improvement, as searching the Internet is still too time-
consuming. I suggest that search engines need to
improve their ability to understand questions in
sentence form.

18. Exercise:
Using the sources you have collected:
1)How would you describe each writer’s perspective or
angle of vision? In one or two sentences, summarize the
main points of each article. Come up with a paragraph
in which you cite the main ideas for each source and
come up with an evaluative statement.
2)List ideas that the pieces have in common
3) List contradictions or differences.
4) Free-write your own response to these readings,
exploring what questions they raise for you or personal
experiences that they might remind you of.