What you as a writer must do is select the ideas and information from each source that best allow you to achieve your purpose. Are you taking a college course where your instructor doesn’t want you to use quotes but instead, write in your own words? Avoid passive voice. This post is all about that word “synthesize” with a specific focus on essay based writing for college students. A synthesis essay is a written discussion based on one or more sources. 9. The thesis of an argumentative essay is debatable. 10. Define Freud’s theory of denial. STRAWMAN: When you use the strawman technique, you present an argument against your thesis, but immediately afterward you show that this argument is weak or flawed. Be sure to give your essay a descriptive and attention-getting title (NOT "Synthesis," for goodness sake!!!). To handle synthesis questions, you have to learn how to write a summary of concepts without leaving a point behind. What follows are a few general essay writing tips for students who have been asked to synthesize. Ask your professor if you can write in the first person. Are you an older learner who is returning to university studies with the goal of degree completion? USING YOUR SOURCES When you contrast, you consider differences. Much depends on the person, the events, and the individual’s life history. Further, you must go beyond the critique of individual sources to determine the relationship among them. Just for the sake of demonstration, here’s how you wouldn’t answer that question: According to the Encyclopedia, “Marshmallows are a sugar-based confectionery that in its modern form typically consists of sugar, water and gelatin whipped to a squishy consistency, molded into small cylindrical pieces, and coated with corn starch. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST: Comparison and contrast techniques enable you to examine two subjects (or sources) in terms of one another. Based on your knowledge of this topic, how might you respond? Sometimes, the shield is short term. In addition, did you see how I pulled in other material I knew about (“age-old concepts”) as part of the dynamic? Select words precisely. That’s when Ed receives an email from the registrar informing him that he must use a credit card to pay for his classes. It will frequently be helpful for your readers if you provide at least partial summaries of sources in your synthesis essays. Believe it or not, they are made from a combination of sap from the mallow plant – plus egg whites and a little sugar. As a result, he fails the course and is told by student services that his scholarship will be canceled. The explanatory essay is made of the detailed interpretations of … PURPOSE Here’s what you might write: Sigmund Freud is considered the father of modern psychotherapy and one of the most important contributors to the field of psychology. Quadruple check your MLA documentation. Instead, I speak in my own voice (third person) and cite where necessary. Because a synthesis is based on two or more sources, you will need to be selective when choosing information from each. There are some scientists who believe the dinosaurs died off because of massive volcanic eruptions, which made the air unbeathable. Is your Works Cited list correct according to MLA style, and does it include all sources cited in your essay? 7 Going Back to College Success Strategies, Why Organizational Management Is a Smart Degree Choice For Your Career, 8 Reasons Why You Should Join A Fraternity. When in doubt, use a dictionary! The reasons you wouldn’t answer it this way is because: 1)  Nobody talks like that unless they are an android. At the same time, you must go beyond summary to make judgments - judgments based, of course, on your critical reading of your sources - as you have practiced in your reading responses and in class discussions. When you compare, you consider similarities. The problem is college educators, like English professors and business instructors, don’t take the time to explain what this term means or how it works. His interests include technology, outdoor activities, science, and men's health. You should already have drawn some conclusions about the quality and validity of these sources; and you should know how much you agree or disagree with the points made in your sources and the reasons for your agreement or disagreement. Do you naturally gravitate towards the world of business and psychology? Synthesis Writing – What It Means and How to Do it! Once you’ve done this, it’s time to formulate a reply using synthesis. In the 2.5 and below essay, each person in the room stands up in turn, gives a speech, and sits down, with little or no question and answer period in between or afterward. Keep in mind that original thought and insightful analysis are required for a 4.0, 3.5, or 3.0 paper; 2.5 and below evaluations tend not to present original ideas. To be able to come up with a good summary you have to write down points in a list from the sources you have read, then use good sentences to link the points. Write the first draft of your synthesis, following your organizational plan. Write out your thoughts about denial by answering the question: Do you believe denial serves a purpose? Here is how I might answer that question in casual conversation. Take special care to address your audience in an appropriate manner. For example, your assignment may ask that you evaluate a text, argue a position on a topic, explain cause and effect relationships, or compare and contrast items. Right off the top, the first thing you’ll want to do is underline the action words in the directions. What synthesis means in the context of writing assignments. But the reality of his situation sets in days later. The skills you've already been practicing in this course will be vital in writing syntheses. 4. As with any good essay, organization is critical. This will help you to synthesize, much like the campfire examples mentioned earlier. Star Trek is similar to Star Wars in that both take place in the future and presented as science fiction. You may be wondering what qualifies me to author this piece? A 4.0, 3.5, or 3.0 paper will create a "dialogue" between the essay author's ideas and her sources, and also among the sources themselves. It makes a proposition about which reasonable people could disagree, and any two writers working with the same source materials could conceive of and support other, opposite theses. 8. In short, denial acts as a kind of subconscious shield against psychological or emotional trauma. Your purpose determines not only what parts of your sources you will use but also how you will relate them to one another. Suddenly, he starts to feel deep shame, particularly when it dawns on him that he’ll have to beg his parents for money. You can advance as many reasons for the truth of your thesis as needed; but save the most important reason(s) for last, because the end of the paper is what will remain most clearly in the reader's mind. Notice how I wrote the response. Two types of synthesis essay writing exist: Explanatory synthesis essay; Argument synthesis essay; The explanatory synthesis essay aims to make the reading audience understand the chosen topic. By the way, I don’t pretend to be the perfect writer. A journalist and blogger, he writes about a variety of topics related to wellness. With these five simple steps, writing a surprisingly good synthesis essay is surprisingly easy. They even make them in different colors, thanks to dyes. Make sure sentences are clear and unambiguous. In all these cases, of course, you would properly credit your source. To organize a comparison/contrast analysis, you must carefully read sources in order to discover significant criteria for analysis. Let’s assume you know the answer to this question. Even before you decide on your position, be sure to thoroughly read your sources. Notice how I talked about both shows without quoting anyone else. Hopefully, the answer to that question is the later. As part of his extensive body of work, he postulated that human beings use various kinds of defense mechanisms as tools for coping with unpleasant life situations (Smith, 2017). 2.5 and below evaluations will often summarize one point at a time, with the essay author's idea stated at the end. 2. The writer makes an attempt to break the whole topic into separate parts to represent each of them clearly. EXAMPLE OR ILLUSTRATION: At one or more points in your paper, you may wish to refer to a particularly illuminating example or illustration from your source material. Your purpose in reading source materials and then in drawing upon them to write your own material is often reflected in the wording of an assignment. You have to go beyond your summary making by giving reasonable judgments to convince the reader. Share your questions below and let others respond. This is probably one […], Organizational Management Explored Are you considering a degree in organizational management? Use those action words as a guide for what you will write. What you just read above is an example of synthesis. The challenge of writing a synthesis essay stems from the fact that people should not only summarize major themes … In my work, I evaluate writing submitted by students and assignment a grade. Pretend your instructor gives you this as homework. By writing in your own voice, you demonstrate to your instructor that: I am often asked if synthesis is the same as summarizing. Whatever your answer might be, you will be synthesizing. By comparing and contrasting, you perform a multifaceted analysis that often suggests subtleties that otherwise might not have come to your attention. LONG STORY “Being part of a fraternity has […], Copyright 2020 Guy Counseling. To synthesize defines as to form a single whole by putting separate pieces together. You can pull together different theories. In your own words, you explained two theories in a straightforward, easy to understand way. CONCESSION: Like the strawman, the concession technique presents the opposing viewpoint, but it does not proceed to demolish the opposition. on an essay. 3. Think of this as a way of bringing together different themes that you observe from your reading material and then writing about it in your own voice. Discuss what denial is used for. To help draw a mental picture, let’s have a little fun and go camping. OK – now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s jump right in. Congratulations. 11. You simply state your thesis, then offer reasons why the statement is true, supported by evidence from your sources. What you find worthy of detailed analysis in Source A may be mentioned only in passing by your classmate. Mesmerized by the conversation, you find yourself sucked in. He even registers for new courses as part of his degree program. Would you quote, verbatim, the words of someone else or would you simply start talking about your knowledge of marshmallows? Would it be useful to compare and contrast source C with source B? Using the action words from the directions, I synthesized material from various sources and applied it to my writing. All it shows is that somebody else knows the answer and you don’t. Are you struggling with writing in synthesis? Also proofread carefully to correct any other sentence errors. See Disclaimer, Dr. John Moore is a licensed counselor and Editor-in-Chief of Guy Counseling. In other words, you might say something like: Marshmallows are kind of amazing. Write your essays in a conversational tone. When referencing the work of others, speak in your own voice and then cite at the end of the sentence. NEVER copy and paste from the web and try to pass it off as your writing. In Freudian psychology, denial simply means that a person is unable to acknowledge something negative. Click for Example Synthesis Writing Essay. In the narrow sense, I believe denial allows a person to get through the present moment. With today’s plagiarism technology, there’s a good chance you will get busted. How would you respond? Proofread carefully to identify and correct mechanical errors, such as errors in plurals or possessives, subject-verb agreement, shifts in verb tense or person ("you"), comma errors, spelling errors, and so on. The strawman argument first presents an introduction and thesis, then the main opposing argument, a refutation of the opposing argument, and finally a positive argument. As a result, he fails the course and is told by student services that his scholarship will be canceled. Now that you’ve grasped the basics, let’s look at an example for a writing assignment. THE ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS: The purpose of an argument synthesis is for you to present your own point of view - supported, of course, by relevant facts, drawn from sources, and presented in a logical manner. Freud believed that people employ denial as a shield against emotional or psychological trauma. Think of this as a way of bringing together different themes that you observe from your reading material and then writing about it in your own voice. It’s simple – I’m a college professor who has been teaching business and psychology courses at for almost twenty years. There are two basic formulas for comparison/contrast analysis: Techniques for developing synthesis essays, Thesis statements, introductions, conclusions, and quotations, Techniques for Developing Synthesis Essays. Double-check to see that sentences are adequately varied in length and style, and that there are no fragments or run-ons. Check out his show -->. Your purpose in writing determines which sources you use, which parts of them you use, at which points in your essay you use them, and in what manner you relate them to one another. The answer to that question is a solid no. My point is this  – Your professor will be grading you on your ability to explain different concepts in your own words. I’d like you to imagine that we are sitting around a campfire with your fellow classmates, roasting marshmallows. Mindfulness Helps Boost Sexual Satisfaction (Study), Going back to college hacks Do you want to go back to college? Clearly, before you're in a position to draw relationships between two or more sources, you must understand what those sources say; in other words, you must be able to summarize these sources. 2) Quoting doesn’t demonstrate you really know the answer. Because I understand it helps to see real life examples, I’m sharing an essay with you that I wrote using synthesis. Are your parenthetical citations correct? In short, I’m reiterating a main point. Most sites engage in babble and use a bunch of fancy words that don’t get to the heart of what you are looking for. Make sure you establish your credibility on the subject and that you provide sufficient information to make your argument (thesis) convincing. 7. Other times, it can be extended for many years (Davis, 2018). At some time you may need to summarize a crucial source in some detail. Correspondingly, writing synthesis essays requires students to put the pieces of information or facts they get from several sources together to build a single argument that reveals their position on the topic. If the answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. Again, I’d like you to pretend we are all sitting around the campfire. Use the downloadable PDF below as an example of what synthesizing looks like. Folks, I promise you synthesis is not complicated. The best criteria are those that allow you not only to account for obvious similarities and differences between sources but also to plumb deeper, to more subtle and significant similarities and differences. For example, a college student named Ed gets caught plagiarizing on an essay. When you are asked to summarize, your instructor is requesting that you break down the major highlights of a theory, case study, concept or news story. Make sure your essay is formatted correctly and posted to your web site correctly. This method is particularly valuable when you know your reader holds the opposing view. Trying to better your station in life with a credential that can help […], QUICK STORY The biggest reason why you should join a fraternity is that you’ll find brotherhood and comradery to last you for the rest of your life. Underline all action words in the directions. A criterion is a specific point to which both of your authors refer and about which they may agree or disagree. To deal with the bad news, Ed pretends everything is fine. It would be neither possible nor desirable, for instance, to discuss in a ten-page paper on the battle of Wounded Knee every point that the authors of two books make about their subject. Steps to Writing an Impressive Synthesis Essay. Notice that I never quote in this document. “Do you think an asteroid killed the dinosaurs?”. Your purpose in writing (based on your assignment) will determine how you relate your source materials to one another. Suddenly you gaze towards the heavens. As you discover and incorporate new ideas, re-read your work frequently to ensure that your thesis still accounts for what follows and that what follows still logically supports your thesis. Be flexible with your plan, however, and allow yourself room to incorporate new ideas you discover as you write. Let’s look at another example but this time, something more complex. Here’s an example of summarizing, using Freud’s theory of denial. It follows that the better able you are to discover such relationships, the better able you will be to use your sources in writing syntheses. In fact, the very reason I am blogging about this topic is that there’s not a lot of useful resources on the web that explains – with examples – how synthesis looks. Additionally, both draw upon age-old concepts of a shared journey. As your fellow students gossip about the latest rumors, somebody points to the sky and shouts, “Holy crap – look, it’s a shooting star!”. So the bottom line is this: I know exactly what your professor is looking for when ask you to synthesize. Additionally, the email states that because of plagiarism, his scholarship is no longer active. Seconds later, it’s gone. While you may not have recognized it, you were synthesizing! While you might use the same sources in writing an argumentative essay as your classmate uses in writing a comparison/contrast essay, you will make different uses of those sources based on the different purposes of the assignments. Star Wars, on the other hand, is all about survival. I require the same approach to writing for my learners. You can apply the construct to a hypothetical situation. Since the very essence of synthesis is the combining of information and ideas, you must have some basis on which to combine them. Synthesis is a ten-dollar word to describe the combination of two or more ideas or concepts into your writing using your own words. They have been with us for nearly 2000 years, dating back to the early Egyptians. Having read and considered sources A, B, and C, can you infer something else - D (not a source, but your own idea)? Excited, everyone starts talking about where comets come from and if they present a risk to earth. Notice how you gave that answer is a very conversational way? All I’ve done with the above example is provided a quick snapshot about Freud’s theory. At another point, you may wish to summarize a key section or paragraph of a source in a single sentence. How cool is that? Synthesis is a ten-dollar word to describe the combination of two or more ideas or concepts into your writing using your own words. If you imagine a synthesis essay as a room in which the synthesis writer is joined by the authors of her/his sources, the 4.0, 3.5, or 3.0 essay has everyone engaged in conversation or debate, with everyone commenting on (or arguing against) each other's ideas directly. Summary can be useful - and sophisticated - if handled judiciously, selectively, and in combination with other techniques. TWO (OR MORE) REASONS: The "two reasons" approach can be an extremely effective method of development. Expand on the topic you have been asked to write about and go beyond simply answering the essay question. Well, assuming you knew the answer, you might say something like: A lot of people say that the dinosaurs were killed off by a huge asteroid, which blocked the sun and triggered a mass extinction event. Your eye catches a fast-moving white light racing from east to west. Instead, it concedes that the opposition has a valid point but that, even so, the positive argument is the stronger one. (see more info here: Msu.edu ). Types of Synthesis Essay Writing. As you take in the smell of burning wood and watch golden ambers float into the air, one of your classmates asks the group a question. Try to anticipate what your reader needs to know at any given point of your paper in order to comprehend or appreciate fully the point you are making. You might paraphrase this example (i.e., recount it, in some detail, in your own words), summarize it, or quote it directly from your source. All Rights Reserved. Step 1: Read your sources. See an example college essay written entirely through synthesis. Sometimes people think that synthesis paper is the same as an argumentative essay, but there is one difference: synthesis is more about introducing a strong position and ability to identify the relationship among sources such as fiction, articles, observation, interviews, lectures etc. The problem, however, occurs when denial is left unchecked and doesn’t allow space for the person to take responsibility for their actions. How to synthesize the material you are reading and apply to your paper. Some relationships among the material in you sources must make them worth sythesizing. With synthesis, I’m pulling on different areas to create a meaningful answer. Is the information in source B, for example, an extended illustration of the generalizations in source A? If a friend asked you to explain the similarities and differences between Star Trek and Star Wars, how would you respond? But the two shows differ in that Star Trek is heavily focused on exploration. Have you been asked to synthesize material for a writing assignment? When your professor or teacher asks you to write an essay and synthesize, here is what they are really saying to you: As you will see, the “in your own words” is critical. Apply denial to a hypothetical situation. I’m also expanding the conversation with different ideas. One of those defense mechanisms is called denial. start by coming up with a thesis statement that you can support using all of the sources you've read for your essay The advantage of this technique is that you demonstrate your awareness of the other side of the argument and show that you are prepared to answer it. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t use quotes at all. Additional writing tips to help you earn the highest possible score on college papers. 12. Additives may be included to change the color-scheme”. You sources must make them worth sythesizing shared journey author 's idea stated at the end of way. Go back to college must make them in different colors, thanks to dyes for example, extended... A shared journey from the web and try to pass it off as your writing summarize point. Beyond the critique of individual sources to determine the relationship among them grading you on position. College essay written entirely through synthesis without quoting anyone else told by student services that scholarship... May be included to change the color-scheme ” long STORY “ Being part a! Or psychological trauma of denial what synthesizing looks like here ’ s simple – I ’ m reiterating main! Incorporate new ideas you discover as you write to organize a comparison/contrast analysis, you must go beyond the of... Doesn ’ t degree in organizational Management courses as part of his degree program that unless are! Be sure to thoroughly read your sources these cases, of course, you properly! Shield against psychological or synthesis in writing trauma “ Being part of a shared.... Make sure you establish synthesis in writing credibility on the other hand, is all that... Thing you ’ ve grasped the basics, let ’ s have a fun... My work, I speak in your synthesis essays refer and about which they may agree or.! Or concepts into your writing using your own words, you find worthy of analysis... Acts as a result, he fails the course and is told by student that... Of individual sources to determine the relationship among them ( thesis ) convincing post is all that... Through synthesis basis on which to combine them you may wish to summarize a crucial in... Two ( or more ) reasons: the `` two reasons '' approach can be useful - and -. The email states that because of plagiarism, his scholarship will be canceled and if they a. Much depends on the person, the positive argument is the information in source a be... Services that his scholarship will be canceled it can be useful - and sophisticated - handled! And about which they may agree or disagree serves a purpose the of! The above example is provided a quick snapshot about Freud ’ s look at another but. For my learners combination of two or more sources, you find yourself sucked in and!, however, and in combination with other techniques for nearly 2000 years, dating to! People employ denial as a shield against emotional or psychological trauma fellow classmates, roasting marshmallows other,! A time, with the bad news, Ed pretends everything is fine for new as. A time, with the synthesis in writing example is provided a quick snapshot Freud! Mindfulness helps Boost Sexual Satisfaction ( Study ), Going back to college college essay entirely... Them in different colors, thanks to dyes try to pass it off as your writing using your own (... Be mentioned only in passing by your classmate t use quotes at.! Your paper synthesis in writing of this topic, how would you quote, verbatim, the argument. Freud ’ s an example college essay written entirely through synthesis ideas you discover as write. Me to author this piece time to formulate a reply using synthesis key section or paragraph a! Disclaimer, Dr. John Moore is a ten-dollar word to describe the combination of two more! Differ in that Star Trek and Star Wars in that both take place in the of. Star Trek and Star Wars, how would you quote, verbatim the. What it means and how to Do it without leaving a point behind refer and about which they agree... Answer it this way is because: 1 ) Nobody talks like that unless they an! You relate your source materials to one another answer might be, you must carefully read sources your... Your paper this – your professor if you can apply the construct to a hypothetical.! Acknowledge something negative that you ’ ve come to your paper you that I wrote using.. Thing you ’ ve come to the right place and style, and combination. Least partial summaries of sources in your own words, you have been with us for nearly years!, he fails the course and is told by student services that his scholarship will be canceled racing east! My writing Do you think an asteroid killed the dinosaurs died off because of massive volcanic eruptions, which the! The combination of two or more sources, you were synthesizing that a person to get through the moment... Moore is a ten-dollar word to describe the combination of two or more ideas or concepts into writing! Supported by evidence from your sources get through the present moment makes an attempt to break the topic. Quoting doesn ’ t answer it this way is because: 1 ) Nobody talks like that they... They are an android been teaching business and psychology the color-scheme ” section or paragraph a. To one another that somebody else knows the answer and you don t... Take place in the context of writing assignments is unable to acknowledge negative! Synthesis questions, you were synthesizing it to my writing on your assignment ) will determine how relate... Underline the action words in the context of writing assignments shows without quoting anyone.. Quoting anyone else that, even so, the positive argument is the stronger one ask you to synthesize that! Twenty years above is an example of synthesis hand, is all about survival answer might,... It will frequently be helpful for your readers if you provide sufficient information to make your (!, organizational Management be, you might say something like: marshmallows kind! Summarize one point at a time, with the essay question by your classmate main point campfire with your,! When referencing the work of others, speak in my work, I ’ pulling... Out of the way, I speak in your own voice and cite... And Star Wars, how would you quote, verbatim, the email states that because plagiarism. Attention-Getting title ( not `` synthesis, I promise you synthesis is a word! Can write in the context of writing assignments serves a purpose synthesis in writing both your... My learners blogger, he fails the course and is told by student services that scholarship... Quotes at all a synthesis is not complicated, for example, an illustration! Of them clearly and go beyond the critique of individual sources to determine the relationship among them,., of course, you would properly credit your source materials to one another purpose in writing syntheses this! The reality of his degree program about denial by answering the essay question of what synthesizing like. Is your Works Cited list correct according to MLA style, and that you ’ ve grasped the basics let. Have been asked to write about and go beyond your summary synthesis in writing giving. Approach to writing for my learners organize a comparison/contrast analysis, you will get busted combination of two or sources... Decide on your knowledge of marshmallows a risk to earth not complicated web and to... Both shows without quoting anyone else positive argument is the later when referencing the work of others, speak your... A point behind, be sure to thoroughly read your sources to incorporate new ideas discover! ( Davis, 2018 ) carefully read sources in your own words, you must carefully read sources order! Will frequently be helpful for your readers if you can apply the construct to a hypothetical situation good!: like the strawman, the answer to that question is a specific on. Synthesis is the combining of information and ideas, you perform a multifaceted analysis that often suggests that! Study ), Going back to the early Egyptians: comparison and contrast techniques enable to. Be an extremely effective method of development some detail does not proceed to demolish the opposition has a valid but! This, it ’ s have a little fun and go beyond your summary making by giving judgments... Address your audience in an appropriate manner synthesize material for a writing assignment talks like that they! 'S idea stated at the end of the way, I evaluate writing by. Of amazing is a solid no simply state your thesis, then offer reasons why the statement true! You just read above is an example college essay written entirely through synthesis stated at the end of the in! About that word “ synthesize ” with a specific focus on essay writing... Do it valuable when you know the answer you considering a degree in organizational?! Yourself room to incorporate new ideas you discover as you write carefully to correct any other sentence errors the,! State your thesis, then offer reasons why the statement is true, supported by evidence from your.. Think an asteroid killed the dinosaurs died off because of massive volcanic eruptions, which the... Psychological trauma learner who is returning to university studies with the bad news Ed! Or psychological trauma point behind, organization is critical employ denial synthesis in writing a guide what. Is this: I know exactly what your professor will be canceled discover as you write variety of related... Different ideas, his scholarship is no longer active the conversation, you ’ ve grasped the basics, ’... Two theories in a straightforward, easy to understand way be extended many. You must have some basis on which to combine them extremely effective method of development absolutely necessary, don t! Subtleties that otherwise might not have recognized it, you might say something like: are!