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This document provides an overview of what a synthesis is and how to write one. It defines a synthesis as a written discussion that draws on two or more sources and depends on inferring relationships among sources. It explains that to write a synthesis, one must summarize sources, make judgments about them critically, reach conclusions based on source quality and validity, and determine relationships among sources. The document distinguishes between explanatory and argument syntheses, noting an argument synthesis aims to persuade while an explanatory synthesis provides information. It provides tips for writing an effective argument synthesis such as including a claim, evidence, assumptions, addressing counterarguments, using concession, and avoiding common fallacies.
Synthesispart1 11223
- 1. SYNTHESIS Spring 2011, Dr. Quinn
- 2. WHAT IS A SYNTHESIS? A synthesis is a written discussion that draws on two or more sources. It depends upon your ability to infer relationships among sources.
- 3. SYNTHESIS
- 4. HOW DO WE “DO” SYNTHESIS? 1. we summarize our sources. 2. we make judgments of our sources based on a critical reading. 3. we reach conclusions based on the quality and validity of these sources and whether we agree or disagree. 4. now that we have more than one source, we need to determine relationships among our sources.
- 5. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR PURPOSE… Locate sources relevant to your topic Select only those parts that will fulfill your purpose Relate selected parts to each other How you make use of each source depends on your purpose Thus, you need to understand fully your purpose before pursuing a research project
- 6. WHERE DO WE FIND WRITTEN SYNTHESES? Analysis papers Research papers Argument papers Essay exams Newspaper and magazine articles Position papers Business plans Memos and letters Websites
- 7. TWO TYPES OF SYNTHESIS Explanatory --- objective is to offer information Argument --- objective is to persuade or convey opinion or interpretation
- 10. THE ARGUMENT SYNTHESIS IS PERSUASIVE
- 11. ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT Claim- a proposition or conclusion that you are trying to prove Support (evidence) – comes in the form of fact or expert opinion Assumption-an underlying belief or principal about some aspect of the world and how it operates *Your assumption links your supporting evidence to your claim * Assumptions tend to be general and unstated
- 12. APPEAL TO BOTH REASON AND EMOTIONS
- 13. PRESENT AND RESPOND TO COUNTERARGUMENTS Introduction and claim Main opposing argument Refutation of opposing argument Main positive argument
- 14. USE CONCESSION Introduction and claim Important opposing argument Concession of opposing argument validity Positive arguments
- 15. AVOID THE “SO WHAT” OR “WHY DID I BOTHER READING THIS” ENDING Conclusions should be meaningful to your reader. Comparison and contrast is not an ends to itself Raise pertinent questions
- 17. APPEAR TO BE REASONABLY OBJECTIVE IN MANNER