Writing a
Synthesis
Essay
Drew University On-Line Resources for
Writers “Key Features of a Synthesis”
It accurately reports
information from the
sources using different
phrases and sentences;
Drew University On-Line Resources for
Writers “Key Features of a Synthesis”
It is organized in such a way
that readers can
immediately see where
the information from the
sources overlap;
Drew University On-Line Resources for
Writers “Key Features of a Synthesis”
It makes sense of the
sources and helps the
reader understand them
in greater depth.
Definition of the form
 First,
the writer is asked to
take a position on a given
issue, using multiple sources.
(the key word here is
multiple)
Definition of the form
 Writer
makes
connections
with sources
and personal
observations
to support
his/her stand
on the issue.
How is it done?
Writer
 Clearly promotes an idea,
 Understands how to use a variety of
sources including non-print text
(pictures, graphs, etc.),
 Uses this “synthesis” to support that
idea.
How is it done?
Writer
 Uses quotes or phrases to
extract key information.
 Demonstrates understanding
in using the quotes or
phrases.
How is it done?
Writer
 Uses the quotes to support
his/her opinion/position.
 Uses MLA citation because a
writer NEVER wants to
plagiarize.
Remember!
 Synthesis
is not merely
incorporating sources.
How is it done?
Think of it as if
you are a
chef creating
a new recipe
using the
sources as
some of the
ingredients.
Remember!
Synthesis
is
combining information
from other sources
with your opinion!
So, how do I do it?
 Essay
must be thesis
driven, so form a thesis
based on the prompt.
What you plan to argue
+ How you plan to argue it
= Thesis

Use your
prewriting
time to jot
down
ideas that
support
your
thesis.
So, how do I do it?
 Highlight
information in the
sources that support your
thesis so you can find them
later. (Remember annotating
text? Mark it up! Make
comments as you read!)
So, how do I do it?


Draw on 3 or more sources.
Use different phrases and sentences
to support a central idea - use these
as your quotes.
Only 1 text
-- baaad!
3 or more
texts -goood!
So, how do I do it?

Make connections among the sources make sense of the sources so the
reader has better understanding.
So, how do I do it?

Make further
connections
through
personal
observations
and/or theories
that relate to the
information from
the sources.
Think of your connections as limbs and
branches on a tree.
Think of your connections as
branches on a tree.
 Each
limb grows from the
trunk, so each connection
grows from your topic or
thesis.
 Branches grow from limbs =
ideas connected to that
connection.
 Leaves = details
Approaches to
Writing the
Synthesis
Essay
#1: Thesis Supported by
Examples
Base your thesis
on common
points among the
works.
 Support your
thesis with
appropriate
examples from
the works.

Thesis Supported by
Examples
 Answer
the question, “What
information must we know in
order to understand the
topic, and why?
Thesis Supported by
Examples
 This
strategy is best with
essays that approach the
subject with very diverse
viewpoints.
Thesis Supported by
Examples
 Warning!
 Can
seem more like a
report than an argument,
so try not to make it sound
like a report and not an
essay.
#2: Compare and Contrast


Discuss
similarities and
differences in
the sources’
viewpoints.
Draw a
conclusion from
this comparison.
Argument: The Most Important
Element!
 You
MUST have a
clearly defined opinion
on the subject!
Argument: The Most Important
Element!

Support your opinion with valid
viewpoints of your sources.
Argument: The Most Important
Element!
 Analyze
weaknesses of any
ideas you feel are not valid.
–Identify conflicting ideas.
–Overcome opposing
viewpoints!
Remember!
 Keep
in mind that your
goal is to support and
illustrate your own ideas
with the ideas of others to
make a point.
The Introduction should
help your readers
make a transition
between their own
world and the issues
you will be writing
about;
give your readers the
tools they need to
get into your topic
and care about what
you are saying.
Format - The Introduction
Usually one paragraph
 Contains a one-sentence
statement (thesis) that sums up
the focus of the essay.
What you plan to argue
+ How you plan to argue
it
= Thesis

Format - The Introduction


Clues reader about major points, how
you will prove your thesis
Also can, but does not always:
– Introduce the sources, give titles, using
MLA citation.
– Provides names of authors,
– Sometimes provides pertinent background
about the authors, texts, or general topic.

Note: This form of introduction can be dry and
sound too much like a report, but is sometimes
required in certain forms of writing.
Format - The Body


Organized by theme, point, similarity,
or aspect of the topic.
Each paragraph deals with one
specific point/idea that relates to the
thesis.
Format - Paragraphs
 Begins
with
a topic
sentence let the
reader know
what the
paragraph is
about.
Format - Paragraphs

Includes
information
from more than
one source.
Format - Paragraphs
Indicates where information comes from with
either lead in phrases and verbs of
attribution
– According to _______
– _______ states
– _______ affirms
– _______ explains
OR with MLA citation (use parenthetical).
Format - Paragraphs

Shows the similarities or differences
between the different sources in
ways that make the paper
informative.
Format - Paragraphs
Represents the texts fairly -even if that seems to weaken
your paper!
 Avoid relying on one source and
just filling in others to meet the
required number of sources.

Format - the Conclusion


Remind readers of the most
significant themes and how they
connect to the overall topic.
Go beyond a mere summary -- offer
the reader insight into the
significance of the exploration of the
topic.
Format - The Conclusion
Your conclusion provides a
bridge to help your
readers transition back
to their daily lives. A
conclusion helps them
see why all your
analysis and information
should matter to them
after they put the paper
down.
A Word About Plagiarism



Be certain to properly cite your
sources!
Go back over your paper and make
certain you have properly cited all
sources.
You can
– Use verbs of attribution
– Use parenthetical citations
A Word About Plagiarism

Accidental
plagiarism most
often occurs when
writers are
synthesizing
sources and do
not indicate where
the synthesis ends
and their own
comments begin!
A Word About Plagiarism

There are many resources
available to students to check for
plagiarism. A good starting
place for understanding what it
is: http://www.plagiarism.org/
Don’t let this happen!
(Cartoon copyright 2001 Pyrczak Publishing. All rights reserved.)
A Word About Plagiarism
A national survey
published in Education
Week found that
 54% of students admitted
to plagiarizing from the
internet;

http://mwcclibrary.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
Jeffrey, what you did is called plagiarism not cloning."
A Word About Plagiarism
A national survey published in
Education Week found that
 74% of students admitted
that at least once during the
past school year they had
engaged in "serious"
cheating.
(http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_facts.html)
Plagiarism – Why Take A
Chance?
 http://turnitin
.com/is
widely used
in high
schools,
college, and
universities.
A Word About Plagiarism

There is even a special version
of turnitin for colleges to check
admission essays:
http://www.turnitinadmissions.co
m/
A Word About Avoiding
Plagiarism
There are many free plagiarism
checkers available on-line. I
have had success with
http://www.duplichecker.com/
 There is now a student version
of turnitin.com called WriteCheck
available for a fee.

That is how
you write a
synthesis
essay!