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PEGS’ Graduate Writing Institute for Excellence (GWIE)
California State University,Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)
SYNTHESIZING SOURCES
All workshops and workshop materials are the sole property of PEGS and cannot be published, copied, or
disseminated without prior written approval from PEGS; they are for
student and faculty use only.
DISCLAIMER
A synthesis combines elements from multiple sources
to form a whole; in this case, the “whole” is a theme or argument (i.e., thesis) of your paper.
SYNTHESIZING SOURCES: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Synthesizing involves
identifying patterns and similarities/differences among sources
critically analyzing strengths, weaknesses, methods, and findings of sources
identifying and exploring gaps in knowledge to determine what you can contribute to future research on the topic
SYNTHESIZING SOURCES: WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
According to Jamieson (1999), there are five tasks required for eff ectively synthesizing source material:
1. Frame the Subject2. Gather Material3. Organize Information4. Write the Synthesis5. Unify the Presentation
FIVE TASKS IN SYNTHESIZING
Potential research topic is identified
Organize information
Make connections
Evolve connections into potential themes
FRAME THE SUBJECT & GATHER MATERIAL
Peruse sources carefully/Read sources Critically (once or twice ONLY)
Review sources repeatedly
make connections between sources
make annotations for emerging themes
Lists
summary of central information from all sources
summary of peripheral information from some sources
summary of information specific to source
Synthesis Matrix
at-a-glance reference
ORGANIZE INFORMATION
The synthesis matrix is by far one of the most useful tools that you can use to create an “at-a-glance” reference for synthesizing sources.
ORGANIZE THE INFORMATION:
THE SYNTHESIS MATRIX
Identify confl icts/ concurrences among sources
Connect facts with interpretations
Discuss ALL relevant data
Refrain from using quotes out of context
Stay true to primary author’s intentions
WRITE THE SYNTHESIS
Unify the Presentation
Unify the Presentation
THE INTRODUCTORY SYNTHESIS
THE BACKGROUND SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS PARAGRAPH INCLUDING ANALYSIS
A m e r i c a n Ps y c h o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n . ( 2 0 1 0 ) . P u b l i c a t i o n m a n u a l o f t h e a m e r i c a n p s y c h o l o g i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n . ( 6 t h
e d . ) . Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . : A m e r i c a n Ps y c h o l o g i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n .
H e n n i n g , T. B . ( 2 0 1 1 ) . L i t e r a t u r e r e v i e w : S y n t h e s i z i n g m u l t i p l e s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m
h t t p : / / w w w.g o o g l e . c o m / u r l ? s a = t & rc t = j& q = & e s rc = s & f rm = 1 & s o u rc e = w e b & c d = 1 & v e d = 0 C C 0 Q F jA A & u r l= h t t p : / /
w w w. e n g l i s h . l s u .e d u / E n g l i s h _ U Wr i t i n g / F I L E S / i t e m 3 5 4 0 4 .p d f & e i = e P b 6 U a W N E KG c i Q LU lo G w D Q & u s g = A F Q j
C N G b 6 Y q 2 J V S E I V H i d p M j v t v s t D S 5 FA & s ig 2 = Z 8 U -T h AQ L 1 _ 0 k M 0 R 0 e 7 o c w
J a m i e s o n , S . ( 1 9 9 9 ) . S y n t h e s i s w r i t i n g . Re t r i e v e d f ro m h t t p : / / w w w.u s e r s . d re w. e d u / s j a m i e s o / s y n t h e s i s . h t m l
M a u k , K . ( 2 0 0 8 ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m M a u k , K . ( 2 0 0 8 , M a y 7 ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u rc e s . Re t r i e v e d
f ro m h t t p : / / w w w.c e n g a g e . c o m / c u s t o m / e n r i c h m e n t _ m o d u le s / d a t a / 1 4 2 8 2 6 2 1 3 X _ W H _ S y n t h e s i z i n g _ w a t e rm a r k . p d f
Te m p l e U n i v e r s i t y Wr i t i n g C e n t e r. ( n .d . ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m
h t t p : / / w w w. t e m p l e . ed u / w r i t i n g c t r / s u p p o r t - f o r- w r i t e r s / d o c u m e n t s / S y n t h e s i z i n g S o u rc e s . p d f
U n i v e r s i t y o f F l o r i d a . ( n .d . ) . S y n t h e s i z i n g s o u r c e s . Re t r i e v e d f ro m
h t t p : / / w e b . c l a s .u fl . e d u / u s e r s / m s s c h a / s y n t h e s i z i n g _ s o u rc e s .p d f
Wa ld e n U n i v e r s i t y O n l i n e Wr i t i n g C e n t e r. ( 2 0 1 2 ) . F i n a l p a p e r : W e e k l y b r e a k d o w n o f a s s i g n m e n t s . Re t r i e v e d
f ro m h t t p : / / l i b r a r y g u i d e s . w a l d e n u .e d u / c o n t e n t . p h p ? p i d = 4 0 8 8 0 2 & s i d = 3 3 4 4 5 3 8
REFERENCES