This document provides guidance on writing a synthesis essay. It explains that a synthesis essay analyzes and evaluates multiple sources on a topic to present a new perspective. The document outlines the steps to writing a synthesis essay, including formulating a topic question, searching for and evaluating sources, summarizing each source, analyzing sources individually and in relation to each other, identifying themes, and developing a new insight. It provides examples of synthesizing two sources that have a thesis and antithesis on an issue. The document emphasizes analyzing sources and incorporating evidence to develop a critique and link analyses to the overarching synthesis question.

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
This study has therefore revealed that
children who play computer games on
a regular basis experience a number
of medical problems. The evidence
suggests that the most serious
problem is crooked posture, which is
caused by their being hunched over
their computers for considerable
periods of time. Another common
problem associated with playing
computer games over long periods
(when the same moves are constantly
repeated) is that of pain in the hands
(Source: Brown)
Anti-Thesis
It is claimed that computer games have
negative physical effects on eyesight,
hands and posture. However, all of these
are caused by the computer hardware
and equipment, not by the software.
The same physical effects occur from
prolonged usage of computers for any
reason, such as word-processing. In fact,
carpal tunnel syndrome was identified
as a workplace ailment caused by office
programs, not games. These physical
effects can all be reduced or eliminated
by better hardware and more attention
to ergonomics, such as higher-resolution
and higher-contrast screens, and
supportive furniture
(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
As was noted earlier, the majority of
computer games produced today have
violence as their principal theme.
Despite the growing concerns of parents
and teachers in the past decade, it
would appear from my research that
violence in computer games is
becoming increasingly realistic and
explicit. We are thus faced with the
familiar question: Does playing violent
computer games lead to aggressive
behaviour in young people? This is
clearly a highly complex issue. Research
conducted in the past decade has
revealed that young people who
regularly play violent computer games
have a tendency to be more aggressive
than those who do not. Perhaps not
surprisingly, my findings tend to
support this position. (Walker)
Anti-Thesis
On the issue of violence, the modern
media surrounds us with violence.
Movies such as 'The Matrix', television
programs such as the news, newspaper
reports of sports such as boxing, and
radio dramas often involve violence. It is
difficult to watch TV for one evening
without seeing an explosion, car chase,
death or violence. Children's programs
are especially violent, as is shown by
Tom and Jerry. If young children are
expected to realise that it is only a
cartoon, teenagers playing computer
games can also recognise that it's only a
game.In addition, many computer
games are non-violent, for example, 'The
Sims' is a very popular game of social
interaction, and football playing and
management games involve almost no
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
have to deal with is the huge quantity and
variety of sources of possible interest to
them. This creates problems of how to select
relevant information. The problems are
aggravated by a lack of effective search tools.
Many search facilities are limited in their
capabilities and are consequently not able to
deal with the volume of available resources.
Some search engines often return a huge
number of results to users’ queries, and the
details provided in the search output often
lack enough detail to enable users to assess
the relevance of the sites which are listed.
However, other search engines source a
limited number and kind of sites. This
makes the list of sites they provide both
restrictive and possibly biased. It is hard for
the untrained eye to detect these
restrictions.
ANTI-THESIS: Although, for a novice
user, the results returned by Internet
search engines may appear confusing
and any bias may not be obvious, these
problems are becoming less serious.
Firstly, although some search engines
have problems, there is a wide range of
engines available. Users can choose a
search engine which suits them and
gives informative and relevant results.
Secondly, modern search engines often
identify sponsored links. If users find
that their search engine refers them to
sites that give irrelevant commercial
links, they can use a different search
engine. Finally, as the Internet becomes
more mature, users become more
experienced. Therefore they can
increasingly use search terms or
advanced search functions which give
better results. (Smith)

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.