Creating

Dialogue

Synthesis of
Multiple
sources

 To write effectively, students

must be able to synthesize ideas
from multiple sources:
oTo explain a concept or event
oTo offer a well-rounded
explanation for their stand

A way of unifying sources:

Look for
complementary,
relationships
large area of common ground, or
provide various supporting details about a topic.
Purpose: Synthesize only portions of the sources that
are compatible with your approach to your topic.

Creating
Dialogue
- Claims
- Reasoning & evidence
- Interpretation of Evidence
- Assumptions
- Appeals
- Style

Synthesis of 2 texts: You read..

Tragos (2009)
Original

Jansz and Martis (2008)

Original

Men discover a sense

of secure brotherhood
in television reality
shows featuring
masculine themes.

Male youths are able to

take on various potent
roles in video games.

WHAT IS THE COMMON

IDEA HERE?

Synthesis of multiple sources (3)

You write
Popular media seem to allow men to regain a
reasonable sense of control over their
masculinity to varying success. According to
Tragos (2009), reality shows focusing on
masculine activities create a safe haven for men
to enjoy camaraderie. Similarly, video games
provide an avenue for male youths to assume a
powerful identity (Jansz & Martis, 2008).
Woodstall (2010), however, found little evidence
to suggest that popular media such as video
games and reality shows actually benefit men.

Synthesis of multiple sources

You write
Popular media seem to allow men to regain a
reasonable sense of control over their masculinity
to varying success. According to Tragos (2009),
reality shows focusing on masculine activities
create a safe haven for men to enjoy
camaraderie. These shows, he discovers, allows
men to re-discover the joys of playing with
vehicles which resemble the toys of their
yesteryears. Similarly, video games provide an
avenue for male youths to assume a powerful
identity (Jansz & Martis, 2008).

What is synthesis?
What skills do you need to
write a good synthesis?

What is synthesis?

Synthesis is:
- Comparing different
articles
- Identifying differences
- Identifying similarities

Making
connections,
Identifying
relationships

Synthesis of multiple sources

An effective and well-written
synthesis presents new ideas
based on interpretations of
other evidence or arguments.
Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm

Steps in Synthesis of multiple sources

Summary: The First Step
Summary is a useful first step, but it is not the
same as synthesis. When you summarize a
source, you articulate its basic argument and
essential points. You may even begin to evaluate
it--asking yourself whether its argument is
logically sound, or whether the evidence is broad
or persuasive enough.
Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm

Synthesis of multiple sources

Here is an example of a clear and succinct
summary:
Jones (2010) argues that electronic medical
records (EMRs) make care for patients more
reliable and thorough. The study cites many
instances of medication mismanagement
and lack of treatment records that could
have been avoided with consistently applied
EMRs (Jones, 2010). The evidence in the
article is persuasive, but Jones does not
address the training and implementation
costs of such systems.
This paragraph is still a summary.
Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm

The student clearly

explains the source's
argument (that EMRs
increase quality of
care) and its evidence
(the inconsistent level
of care associated
with analog
records). She even
gives an evaluation of
the text and begins to
put its ideas into a
broader context ("the
training and
implementation costs
of such systems").

Synthesis of multiple sources

Adding context (in the form of more analysis and evidence)
will help a student move from summary to synthesis.
Jones (2010) argues that electronic medical
records (EMRs) make care for patients more
reliable and thorough. The study cites many
instances of medication mismanagement and lack
of treatment records that could have been
avoided with consistently applied EMRs (Jones,
2010). Bond (2012) found that patients prefer the
portability of information EMRs provide. Baker
(2012) found that chronic inebriates were more
likely to seek care from facilities with
EMRs. Roberts (2012) argued that although
training and implementation costs for these
systems are considerable, patients with chronic
illnesses prefer EMRs.

how she is still mainly

summarizing. She
articulates the main point
of each source, but that is
all she does. She is not yet
drawing connections or
highlighting the similarities
or contradictions between
the information. Notice
also that she presents the
ideas in a list--each author
is fully addressed before
she moves on.

Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm

Synthesis of multiple sources

Starting the conversation

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are becoming a standard

technology for many urgent care centers, and for good
reason. Evidence shows that EMRs make care for patients more
reliable and thorough (Jones, 2010) and that patients prefer the
portability of information these systems provide (Bond,
2012). Furthermore, preliminary studies (Baker, 2012; Roberts,
2012) indicate certain at-risk populations may be more likely to
seek care if they can access information and communicate with
their provider virtually. Although the training and implementation
costs of these systems are considerable (Roberts, 2012), the
benefits clearly justify the investment
evidence of the student's own ideas, and a well-organized
presentation of evidence.
Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm

Synthesis of multiple sources

Starting the conversation

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are becoming a standard

technology for many urgent care centers, and for good
reason. Evidence shows that EMRs make care for patients more
reliable and thorough (Jones, 2010) and that patients prefer the
portability of information these systems provide (Bond,
2012). Furthermore, preliminary studies (Baker, 2012; Roberts,
2012) indicate certain at-risk populations may be more likely to
seek care if they can access information and communicate with
their provider virtually. Although the training and implementation
costs of these systems are considerable (Roberts, 2012), the
benefits clearly justify the investment

Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm

Synthesis of multiple sources

Source: http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/synthesis.htm