Introduction to Synthesis

Synthesis – An Introduction With Memes

You’re in a college composition course, and the first thing you’re asked to do is learn how to synthesize.  What does this even meme????  (Sorry, not sorry.  Puns are essential to learning.)

No, unfortunately, Frodo has nothing to do with synthesis, unless you’re researching the goings-on of Middle Earth.

Synthesis, in its dictionary definition, is learning how to actively engage in various texts, think critically about authors’ different perspectives, and develop our own meanings.

So let’s break this down.

Key Takeaways

(1) The first step in synthesis is to have at least two texts (also known as sources).  Sometimes, your instructor will provide these texts for you. Other times, you will find them on your own through something we like to call research.

(2) The second step in synthesis is reading, annotating, and analyzing the two texts.  This involves close reading, or what some like to call reading with a pen.  When you read with a pen, you are able to mark passages of significance and make notes (also called annotations) that will help you synthesize the reading later.

(3) The third step in synthesis is to recognize themes or traits that these texts have in common.  How do they compare with each other based on these traits you’ve recognized?  What would one author say about these themes or traits? What would the other say?  In what ways would one author disagree with the other?

So, synthesizing is just summarizing your two texts?  Um, no.

Synthesizing begins with analyzing. Once you’ve recognized shared traits or themes in your sources through analysis, then it is time to create your own truth from these sources. The final part of synthesizing multiple texts (and all of this must be done before you ever sit down to actually write a response or essay) is the act of creating something new through the integration of these texts or sources.

For example, if one text calls for allowing more Syrian refugees into U.S. borders and another calls for stricter restrictions on immigration from Syria, you would find your own truth about the issue, based on reading the two sources.  This “truth” is essentially your thesis statement for a synthesis essay.

Okay, sounds doable.  How do I practice this?  What pre-writing can I do to help lead up to a longer synthesis essay?

Exercises

Good question…  See the notes on the Kernel Essay!