Writing a Synthesis
t's easy enough to pull a bunch of quotes from our sources, but the magic of research writing happens in the language between the sources.
This is what a “synthesis” paragraph does.
The Seven Steps to the Synthesis Paragraph.pdf sets us up to weave together different voices in a conversation. The elements of the synthesis paragraph include:
- Topic Sentence (topic + controlling idea)
- Source A (quote or paraphrase)
- Analysis of (2) - explain how this quote or paraphrase supports the author’s thesis, and then explain how it supports your thesis.
- Transition - one or two lines transitioning from Source A to Source B
- Source B (quote or paraphrase)
- Analysis of (5) - explain how this quote or paraphrase supports the author’s thesis, and then explain how it supports your thesis (and, perhaps, how it compares with (2))
- Summary Sentence (draw your own conclusion from your analysis of the evidence in this paragraph)
Ready to write the paper?
Follow the links below for in-depth tutorials on each section of the literature review!
Literature Reviews
Explore the purpose, structure, and key features of a literature review and learn how it contributes to scholarly research.
Introductions
Learn how to establish the topic, context, scope, and purpose of the review.
Problem Statements
Learn to identify the problem, gap, tension, or unanswered question that makes further investigation necessary.
Research Design & Methods
Learn to explain how sources were located, selected, evaluated, or analyzed when the type of literature review calls for a systematic approach.
Discussion Sections
Interpret what the literature collectively shows and explain the significance, limitations, or implications of those findings.
Abstracts
Give readers a concise overview of the review's purpose, approach, major findings, and significance.