Synthesis

 
Note:  This  document  should  only  be  used  as  a  reference  and  should  not  replace  assignment  guidelines.      

 
A  synthesis  puts  two  or  more  arguments  into  conversation  with  each  other,  showing  where  they  overlap  
and  where  they  diverge.  Some  syntheses  include  your  own  ideas  as  a  conclusion.  

Preparation  
Synthesis  Question  
Most  syntheses  are  driven  by  a  synthesis  question,  similar  to  a  research  question.  The  question  should  
be  open-­‐ended  and  complex  enough  to  allow  for  a  variety  of  responses.  An  example  is,  “To  what  extent  
should  the  U.S.  pursue  nuclear  power  as  an  energy  solution?”.  Your  research  question  may  change  
slightly  as  you  gain  a  better  sense  of  the  academic  conversation  through  your  research.  

Pre-­‐writing  
To  get  a  sense  of  your  topic,  identify  key  terms  in  your  synthesis  question  and  conduct  a  database  
search,  skimming  a  variety  of  article  titles  and  abstracts,  before  you  select  your  final  sources.  You  may  
need  to  adjust  or  narrow  your  focus  at  this  point.  An  example  of  an  adjusted  research  question  is,  “To  
what  extent  should  the  U.S.  develop  nuclear  reprocessing  facilities  to  address  our  energy  needs?”.  

Select  arguments  that  address  your  research  question  but  take  different  stances.  Read  and  annotate  
them  thoroughly.    

Think  about  how  the  authors  answer  the  synthesis  question  differently  and  what  evidence  they  provide  
to  support  their  arguments.  Also  consider  what  one  author  would  say  in  response  to  the  other.  You  may  
find  it  helpful  to  make  a  chart  like  the  following  to  organize  your  thoughts:  

Source   Main   Key  Terms   Evidence   Possible   My   Connections  

Argument   Counterarguments   Reaction   to  Other  
Arguments  
             
             
 
Organizing  the  Essay  
Your  essay  will  probably  have  three  or  four  sections,  including  the  introduction,  analysis  section,  and  
synthesis  section.  Some  syntheses  will  also  include  your  own  thoughts  as  a  conclusion.  

Introduction  
Your  introduction  introduces  the  topic,  question,  and  arguments  to  the  reader.  It  generally  includes  
three  points:  
• a  statement  of  the  research  question  or  problem,  stated  as  a  question  or  a  description    
• short  introductions  to  the  articles  (titles,  authors,  brief  arguments)  
• a  thesis  that  answers  the  research  question  as  the  authors  answer  it  

UVU  Writing  Center      •      Library  208      •      ph:  801-­‐863-­‐8936      •      Updated  Feb.  2016  
Web:  [Link]/writingcenter      •      Facebook:  UVUWritingCenter      •      Twitter:  @uvuwritingctr  
 
 
Synthesis  
Note:  This  document  should  only  be  used  as  a  reference  and  should  not  replace  assignment  guidelines.      

 
Analysis  section  
Your  analysis  section  breaks  down  the  arguments  to  show  the  reader  their  different  pieces.  It  lays  the  
foundation  for  the  synthesis  section,  so  you  will  want  to  focus  on  the  main  ideas  that  you  plan  to  return  
to  later.  This  section  shows  “difference  within  similarity”—the  authors  address  the  same  topic  but  
present  different  stances.  
• Write  in-­‐depth  summaries  of  each  of  the  articles,  showing  how  their  arguments  and  attitudes  
toward  the  question  differ.  
• Analyze  the  arguments  by  using  rhetorical  analysis  and/or  ideas  critique,  depending  on  your  
focus.  
• Focus  on  points  you  want  to  later  contrast  in  the  synthesis  section.  
 
Synthesis  section  
Your  synthesis  section  puts  the  arguments  back  together  in  a  new  way.  To  write  your  synthesis  section,  
you  will  need  to  find  a  point  of  commonality  between  the  arguments.  This  is  their  “similarity  within  
difference”—their  arguments  differ,  but  they  overlap  in  some  areas.  The  connections  may  not  be  
obvious  at  first;  they  may  fall  under  minor  points  or  implied  ideas.  
• One  way  to  do  this  is  to  find  a  question  that  both  parties  agree  on.  For  instance,  one  article  
might  argue  for  nuclear  reprocessing  while  the  other  argues  against  it,  but  they  might  agree  that  
nuclear  energy  is  one  viable  solution  to  our  energy  needs  or  that  the  U.S.  needs  to  develop  more  
domestic  energy  resources.  
• Put  the  authors  in  conversation  with  each  other.  What  would  they  say  to  each  other?  
• Ask  yourself:  what  does  reading  one  article  demonstrate  about  the  shortcomings  of  the  second,  
and  vice  versa?  What  does  one  author  fail  to  consider?  How  do  you  account  for  the  authors’  
differences  in  attitude  or  focus?  
• What  new  understanding  does  reading  both  arguments  together  achieve?  
 
Conclusion  (sometimes  optional,  depending  on  assignment)  

Your  conclusion  reflects  on  how  your  thinking  on  this  subject  has  changed  after  writing  the  synthesis.  
Sometimes  the  synthesis  section  serves  as  a  conclusion,  and  sometimes  you  will  include  a  conclusion  
that  shows  your  own  addition  to  the  academic  conversation.  

• What  do  you  agree  and  disagree  with  and  why?  

• What  points  have  both  authors  failed  to  take  into  account?  
• How  has  your  perception  of  the  issue  changed?  
• What  new  questions  have  these  arguments  raised  in  your  mind?  
• How  would  you  position  yourself  in  regards  to  the  authors  and  the  topic?  

UVU  Writing  Center      •      Library  208      •      ph:  801-­‐863-­‐8936      •      Updated  Feb.  2016  
Web:  [Link]/writingcenter      •      Facebook:  UVUWritingCenter      •      Twitter:  @uvuwritingctr