Pre-Test Directions: Read and analyze the following
questions. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. It is a piece of writing that brings together multiple sources
or ideas to create a new idea or point.
A. Analysis B. Inference C. Summary D. Synthesis
2. The pulling of information from several sources to
generate a new thought is called.
A. Analyzing B. Comprehendin C. Revising D. Synthesizing
3. A statement containing one main idea, which serves as
guide in the process of synthesizing is called
A. Conclusion B. Supporting Details
C. Summary D. Topic sentence
4. What is the best source to use when synthesizing written
information?
A. Books B. Primary C. Secondary D. Tertiary
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of print
sources?
A. Books and Textbooks B. Encyclopedias. C. Newspapers
D. Websites
The prefix "syn" in synthesis means together. Hence, synthesizing is
pulling together different ideas to come up with a new, bigger idea. It is
an on-going process where old and new knowledge, experiences,
opinions add up, blend, and fit together to create new understanding.
To illustrate:
Idea 1+ Idea 2+ Own Ideas New Ideas
To be able to synthesize, you must also know how to:
Summarize - To shorten a long text by writing the main points in your
own words.
Paraphrase - To put a passage from source material into your own
words similar in length as the original
Analyze - To break complex topic into smaller parts.
Example: breaking down a cake into its ingredients.
Infer - to use observation and background to reach a logical conclusion
The RES Method
For you to be able to synthesize essential
information, this approach could help you.
R – Read two different sources about a topic and
jot down important ideas.
E – Edit notes and put together similar concepts.
S – Synthesize by combining notes with what you
already know about the topic.
Step 1: Organize your sources
Step 1: Organize your sources
After collecting the relevant literature, you need to organize your
notes in a way that allows you to see the relationships between
sources. You can get
relevant information from the following sources.
Print Sources
Books and Textbooks, Newspapers, Academic and Trade Journals,
Government Reports and Legal Documents, Press Releases and
Advertising,
Flyers, Pamphlets, and Leaflets
Step 2: Outline your structure
With a clear overview of the main connections and differences
between the sources you've read, you need to decide how you'll
group them together and the order in which you'll discuss them.
Step 3: Write paragraphs with topic sentences
What sets a synthesis apart from a summary is that it combines
various sources. The easiest way to think about this is that each
paragraph should discuss a few different sources, and you should
able to condense the overall point of the paragraph into one
sentence. able to condense the overall point of the paragraph into
one sentence. This is called a topic sentence, and it usually
appears at the start of the paragraph. The topic sentence signals
what the whole paragraph is about; every sentence in the
paragraph should be clearly related to it.
Step 4: Revise, edit and proofreading
Like any other piece of academic writing, synthesizing literature
involves redrafting, revising, editing and proofreading. Like any
other piece of academic writing, synthesizing literature involves
redrafting, revising, editing and proofreading.
In writing your synthesis, the following verbs can be of help.
DON'T FORGET, to use the following terms when quoting your
source.
To show agreement, use the following:
Similarly, Equally, Also, Furthermore, Likewise
To show disagreement, the following words can be used:
On the other hand, on the contrary, unlike, although, conversely
Despite, Where, What's More, Otherwise
