THE SYNTHESIS ESSAYTHE SYNTHESIS ESSAY

Mary Ellen HaleyMary Ellen Haley

Center for Academic Center for Academic DevelopmentDevelopment

What is “synthesis”?What is “synthesis”?

Definition:Definition:

• ““Synthesis” is the combining of Synthesis” is the combining of separate elements or substances to separate elements or substances to form a coherent whole.form a coherent whole.

What is a synthesis essay?What is a synthesis essay?

Definition:Definition:

• A synthesis essay brings together A synthesis essay brings together your own ideas with the ideas of your own ideas with the ideas of other writers, your sources.other writers, your sources.

Process of synthesis writing:Process of synthesis writing:

• Through research, assemble ideas Through research, assemble ideas from various sources (books, from various sources (books, journals, Internet)journals, Internet)

• Develop your own original idea, or Develop your own original idea, or thesis, based on these sourcesthesis, based on these sources

Step One: Before WritingStep One: Before Writing

• Collect your sources on the topicCollect your sources on the topic

• Familiarize yourself with what others have Familiarize yourself with what others have written about the topicwritten about the topic

• Write a brief summary of each of your Write a brief summary of each of your sourcessources

• Examine the evidence that other writers have Examine the evidence that other writers have used to support or to argue against the issueused to support or to argue against the issue

• Formulate your own thesis, after reflecting on Formulate your own thesis, after reflecting on your researchyour research

Step Two: Pre-WriteStep Two: Pre-Write

• Using your thesis as a starting point, Using your thesis as a starting point, freewrite, brainstorm, question or map out freewrite, brainstorm, question or map out ideas on the topic ideas on the topic

• Using the pre-writing material you Using the pre-writing material you generate, create a scratch outlinegenerate, create a scratch outline

• Note: It is ALWAYS wise to create a short Note: It is ALWAYS wise to create a short scratch outline for your essays. However, scratch outline for your essays. However, for synthesis essays, this step is essential for synthesis essays, this step is essential if you are to clearly and logically organize if you are to clearly and logically organize your multiple sources your multiple sources

Sample scratch outline for a Sample scratch outline for a synthesis essaysynthesis essay• Thesis: The two memoirs, Thesis: The two memoirs, All Over but the All Over but the

Shoutin’ Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg and by Rick Bragg and The Color of WaterThe Color of Water by by James McBride, share the theme that, with James McBride, share the theme that, with familial support and love, we can overcome familial support and love, we can overcome obstacles obstacles

• Supporting Point 1: In Supporting Point 1: In All Over but the Shoutin’, All Over but the Shoutin’, Rick Bragg’s mother teaches him to persevere in Rick Bragg’s mother teaches him to persevere in difficult circumstancesdifficult circumstances

• Supporting Point 2 (with transition): Like Bragg, Supporting Point 2 (with transition): Like Bragg, in in The Color of WaterThe Color of Water, James McBride’s strong , James McBride’s strong mother instills in him the importance of education mother instills in him the importance of education as a path out of povertyas a path out of poverty

Step Three: Write Step Three: Write

• For each of your supporting points, write a For each of your supporting points, write a complete sentence; use these as the topic complete sentence; use these as the topic sentences for all of your body paragraphssentences for all of your body paragraphs

• Using the topic sentences and your scratch Using the topic sentences and your scratch outline, write the essayoutline, write the essay

• Using the summaries you wrote for each of your Using the summaries you wrote for each of your sources (see Step One), add these quotations, sources (see Step One), add these quotations, facts and opinions to prove each of your key facts and opinions to prove each of your key pointspoints

• HINT: DO NOT include lengthy summaries of your HINT: DO NOT include lengthy summaries of your sources in your essay but very sources in your essay but very briefbrief summaries summaries that support your thesis directly and clearlythat support your thesis directly and clearly

Step Four: ReviseStep Four: Revise

• Be sure that your thesis covers all the supporting pointsBe sure that your thesis covers all the supporting points• Be sure that you have introduced all of your sources in the Be sure that you have introduced all of your sources in the

introductory paragraphintroductory paragraph• Check that each body paragraph begins with a clear topic Check that each body paragraph begins with a clear topic

sentence to focus the main ideasentence to focus the main idea• Make sure that all of your evidence supports your thesis Make sure that all of your evidence supports your thesis

clearly; edit out any facts, quotes or ideas that do not (or clearly; edit out any facts, quotes or ideas that do not (or move them to paragraphs where they logically belong)move them to paragraphs where they logically belong)

• Add quotations, facts or opinions of your sources where you Add quotations, facts or opinions of your sources where you are lacking adequate evidenceare lacking adequate evidence

• Be sure that you have introduced the writer of all Be sure that you have introduced the writer of all quotations by putting the name of the writer in your text, quotations by putting the name of the writer in your text, right before the quoteright before the quote

• (According to Smith,”XXXXX”)(According to Smith,”XXXXX”)

Step Five: EditStep Five: Edit

• Add, delete or move ideas as neededAdd, delete or move ideas as needed

• Proofread for grammar, mechanics, Proofread for grammar, mechanics, punctuation, word choice or punctuation, word choice or typographical errorstypographical errors

Sample outline for a synthesis Sample outline for a synthesis essayessayA synthesis essay should be organized so that others can understand the sources and evaluate A synthesis essay should be organized so that others can understand the sources and evaluate

your comprehension of them and their presentation of specific data, themes, etc. your comprehension of them and their presentation of specific data, themes, etc. • The introduction (first paragraph)The introduction (first paragraph)

    1.    Thesis sentence that sums up the focus of your synthesis.     1.    Thesis sentence that sums up the focus of your synthesis.     2.    Also introduces the texts to be synthesized:     2.    Also introduces the texts to be synthesized:             (i)  Gives the title of each source (following the citation guidelines of whatever style               (i)  Gives the title of each source (following the citation guidelines of whatever style                     sheet you are using);                     sheet you are using);               (ii)  Provides the name of each author;             (ii)  Provides the name of each author;             (ii)  Sometimes also provides pertinent background information about the authors,              (ii)  Sometimes also provides pertinent background information about the authors,                    about the texts to be summarized, or about the general topic from which the                    about the texts to be summarized, or about the general topic from which the                    texts are drawn.                    texts are drawn. 

• The body of a synthesis essay:The body of a synthesis essay: Each paragraph should:Each paragraph should:

•         1.     Start with a topic sentence; 1.     Start with a topic sentence;     2.     Include information from more than one source;     2.     Include information from more than one source;     3.     Indicate the names of your sources;                 3.     Indicate the names of your sources;                .     . 

• Conclusion.Conclusion. Write a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis in different words and summarizes Write a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis in different words and summarizes themes you have found and the ways they connect to the overall topic.  themes you have found and the ways they connect to the overall topic. 

Adapted from Drew On-line Resources for WritersAdapted from Drew On-line Resources for Writers

Works Cited PageWorks Cited Page

• Include a Works Cited page at the endInclude a Works Cited page at the end of the essay, essentially a list of your of the essay, essentially a list of your

sourcessources• See below for an example of a good See below for an example of a good

Works Cited page, using MLA styleWorks Cited page, using MLA style

http://www.dianahacker.com/pdfs/http://www.dianahacker.com/pdfs/Hacker-Daly-MLA-WC.pdfHacker-Daly-MLA-WC.pdf

Group ExerciseGroup ExerciseStep 1Step 1Read the two Aesop’s Fables:Read the two Aesop’s Fables:

• The Wolf in Sheep's ClothingThe Wolf in Sheep's Clothing A Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing toA Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing tothe vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it foundthe vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it foundthe skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so itthe skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so itput it on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep.put it on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep.The Lamb that belonged to the sheep, whose skin the Wolf wasThe Lamb that belonged to the sheep, whose skin the Wolf waswearing, began to follow the Wolf in the Sheep's clothing; so,wearing, began to follow the Wolf in the Sheep's clothing; so,leading the Lamb a little apart, he soon made a meal off her, andleading the Lamb a little apart, he soon made a meal off her, andfor some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoyingfor some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoyinghearty meals.hearty meals.

Part 1:Part 1:

• The Ant and the ChrysalisThe Ant and the Chrysalis An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food cameAn Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food cameacross a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. Theacross a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. TheChrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant,Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant,who then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiablewho then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiableanimal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish,While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish,ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, withascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, withpower only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail." The Chrysalispower only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail." The Chrysalisheard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after,heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after,when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained.when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained.Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenlyWondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenlyshaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly.shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly."Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boast"Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boastnow of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me tonow of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me tolisten." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne alonglisten." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne alongand aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of theand aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of theAnt forever.Ant forever.

From http://aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?sel&TheWolfinSheepsClothing2From http://aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?sel&TheWolfinSheepsClothing2

Part 2: In groups-Part 2: In groups-

• Write very brief summaries of each Write very brief summaries of each fable (be as concise as humanly fable (be as concise as humanly possible without leaving out any possible without leaving out any important facts)important facts)

• Write one sentence to connect your Write one sentence to connect your two summaries (this is your synthesis two summaries (this is your synthesis thesis sentence!)thesis sentence!)

• Write a short scratch outline for this Write a short scratch outline for this synthesis essay (see the sample)synthesis essay (see the sample)