This document provides an overview of what a synthesis is and how to write one. It defines a synthesis as a written discussion that draws on two or more sources and depends on inferring relationships among sources. It explains that to write a synthesis, one must summarize sources, make judgments about them critically, reach conclusions based on source quality and validity, and determine relationships among sources. The document distinguishes between explanatory and argument syntheses, noting an argument synthesis aims to persuade while an explanatory synthesis provides information. It provides tips for writing an effective argument synthesis such as including a claim, evidence, assumptions, addressing counterarguments, using concession, and avoiding common fallacies.

1. SYNTHESIS
Spring 2011, Dr. Quinn

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.

3. SYNTHESIS

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

8. ARGUMENT OR EXPLANATORY

9. ARGUMENT OR EXPLANATORY?

10. THE ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS IS PERSUASIVE

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

12. APPEAL TO BOTH REASON AND EMOTIONS

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

16. AVOID COMMON FALLACIES

17. APPEAR TO BE REASONABLY OBJECTIVE IN
MANNER