While analysis usually considers one text at a time, synthesis considers multiple, related texts. Rather than looking at one text’s purpose, construction, and contents, you look at several texts’ purposes, construction, and contents. What do these texts say about their shared topic? Where do they agree and disagree? Do they neglect or omit a perspective or idea?

When conducting a synthesis, you are not only looking for similarities and differences in multiple sources, but you are looking for what these sources say cumulatively. Synthesizing recent sources on a particular topic is how you answer this question: What is the current state of the research on this topic? A good way to begin is to document these differences and similarities in a synthesis matrix. A synthesis matrix will help you to locate and identify areas where sources overlap or differ, thus helping you to see what the current research is saying about the topic.

A good way to ensure you are synthesizing your sources is to be sure each topic you introduce is supported by two or more sources. If you locate an interesting point that only one text seems to make, you would still need to discuss how other texts are not discussing this specific point.