The Language of Composition
Chapter 3: Synthesizing Sources:
Entering the Conversation
AP English
Language and Composition
Synthesizing Sources

All writers
use the work
of others to
develop their
own ideas
and position.
Synthesizing Sources

The speaker
must be as
knowledgeable as
possible about
his/her subject in
order to develop
ethos with the
audience.
Synthesizing Sources

The speaker must
research and use
the work of
others to develop
his/her own
understanding of
the subject.
Synthesizing Sources

By engaging with
a variety of
sources and
developing
questions
(annotations, etc.)
you enter a larger
conversation.
Synthesizing Sources

As a writer, the
synthesis of
these sources will
provide strong
support for your
position.
Types of Sources

A multi-faceted
collection of
sources will
provide more
detailed and
specific examples
to help establish
your position.
Types of Sources


Anecdotes are
brief stories that
illustrate a point.
They can be
about personal
experiences or
about something
that happened to
somebody else.
Types of Sources

Facts represent
information that
is verifiable
through general
sources, such
as encyclopedia,
history books,
or biographical
dictionaries.
Types of Sources
Since facts are available in numerous
reference books, they represent a
general cultural knowledge called
“Common Knowledge.”
 Common knowledge does not need to
be cited.

Types of Sources


Quantitative Data are
typically represented
as statistical
information.
Quantitative Data
must be cited
because they
represent the work
of others.
Types of Sources

Expert Testimony
represents the
opinions of those
with extensive
knowledge of a
subject.
 It should be
quoted directly or
paraphrased and
must be cited.
Types of Sources

Speaker
Logos
Audience
Subject
Citing anecdotes,
facts, data, and
expert testimony
helps to establish
logos between
the speaker and
the subject.
Types of Sources

It also adds to the
development of
ethos between the
speaker and the
audience since you
are giving credit to
those who have
developed these
ideas.
Speaker
Ethos
Audience
Subject
Types of Sources

No matter how helpful sources may be
in informing you about your topic, in
supporting your position, or in
demonstrating your awareness of
conflicting viewpoints, your argument
must always be central.
Relationship of Sources to the
Audience

Speaker
Ethos
Logos
Audience
Subject
Pathos
When determining
the type of sources
to use within your
writing, and even
the format by
which to cite those
sources, we need
to refer back to the
Rhetorical Triangle.
Relationship of Sources to the
Audience

The level of formality in the
documentation of sources is
determined by who the audience is and
what the context of the piece is…
 In-class essay vs. formal research
paper
Relationship of Sources to the
Audience


The types of sources
included should also
vary in order to build Ethos
rapport (ethos) with
the audience.
Stress those
Audience
sources that are
likely to engage your
audience.
Speaker
Subject
Relationship of Sources to the
Audience

Speaker
Ethos
Audience
Logos
Subject
These tips will
establish both
logos and ethos
between the
author and
audience.
The Synthesis Essay

The Synthesis Essay is the typical
school research paper where a student
must make use of multiple sources to
support a position, or thesis.
The Synthesis Essay

The key to the synthesis essay is to
make your argument central.
 What is it you want to prove?
 What is your message?
 Start from this perspective.
The Synthesis Essay

If you are uninformed about a given
topic, then make ample use of the
sources provided/researched to
develop an adequate understanding
before attempting to develop a
position.
The Synthesis Essay

Once you have
developed a
position, a thesis,
weave
(synthesize) the
sources into the
paper to support
your position.
The Synthesis Essay
1. Assess how the sources will help you
complete your task.
 Can the sources provide you with
information that backs up your
position?
 Do they provide you with an
opposing argument that you can
refute?
The Synthesis Essay

It’s extremely important to keep an
open mind to the information provided
by all the sources as this will reveal
your ability to understand the
complexity of the issue.
The Synthesis Essay
2. “Take stock” of the various issues
surrounding the task.
 Arguments rarely have only two
sides
 Separating the task will provide
greater scope to your position
The Synthesis Essay
3. Present your thesis reasonably,
logically, and clearly.
 Apply the rhetorical triangle
 A reasonable voice is an informed
voice
 Anticipate objections and respect
the multiple perspectives within the
task
The Synthesis Essay
4. Incorporate the sources within your
argument.
 Use direct quotations and
paraphrases.
 Cite sources to establish ethos and
logos.
 Most importantly, be sure that the
sources are used in the service of
your argument.