Synthesis Essay

The synthesis essay asks that you read a number of sources and comment on them in an original way. The best way to approach this complicated assignment is to plan. 

Comparing the Sources:
Use the chart below to record the information asked in the left column.

Finding Dissonance:
Your next step is to isolate feelings of curiosity, wonder, puzzlement, irritation, frustration—any kind of surprise or discomfort that you feel after reading all these sources.  Let’s consider some of the major ways that readers might feel this way.  Remember that dissonance (a musical term meaning a lack of harmony) doesn’t always mean negative things—it can be very positive—imagine finding a solution to a huge problem like treating teen depression.

Dissonance Table:

Articulating a Question:
Once you’ve isolated the kinds of dissonance that you might have, then shape that into a question that you don’t know the answer to. 

After you’ve read all sources and isolated dissonances, you want to know

Any More Research Needed?
In order to answer that question, you might have to do more research.  If you are new to a particular subject area, you might need to consult with a research librarian.

Answer That Question:
Once you have finished with your research (if needed), go back to that question and answer it.  That becomes the THESIS or FOCUS for your paper.  Try it here.

Imagining Your Reader:
A key to successful writing is to imagine your reader in the following ways:
            *  see the person as open minded
            *  understand that your professor wants you to learn
            *  believe that the professor him- or herself wants to learn from you
            *  take some joy in presenting information in terms of your focus

Structuring the Paper:
Use your focus to guide every paragraph.  Imagine that your readers want to know how you see the variety of sources on a particular topic—what they want is YOUR INDIVIDUAL UNDERSTANDING of this matter, which is what you just wrote about in your planning.  Keep to that as you write your essay and NOT to a recounting of the information in the articles.  Just reporting what exists is doing high school work, not college work. 

Have Someone Read Your Paper Before You Submit It!
This kind of paper is an advanced paper—so be sure to have someone read over it for grammatical mistakes or better style.