Synthesis Basics

Synthesis Basics

What’s the Difference? Comparison Contrast Summary Synthesis

Comparison • With two texts, a comparison is an analysis of the similarities of the text • This can be a comparison of the author’s viewpoints on an arguable topic OR a comparison of the obvious “message” in the authors’ writings

Contrast • An analysis of two authors’ sharply opposing viewpoints or two different “messages” in the authors’ writings

Summarizing • Summarizing: A process of communicating what you learned when analyzing texts • Writing a summary that is clear and accurate can be a difficult task…

Plagiarism • Two Common Forms of Plagiarism: • Copying text word for word • This is NEVER okay. It is the most blatant form of plagiarism. The author may be a professional, published writer…OR a peer. You must NEVER copy another text regardless of who wrote it!

Plagiarism • Paraphrasing: • Paraphrasing is a common tool for academic writing, HOWEVER • It is NEVER okay to paraphrase without giving proper credit (citation) to the original author and text that you are paraphrasing!

Let’s talk about… SYNTHESIS What does it mean to synthesize something?

SYNTHESIS The Process – you do this all the time! • Listen to two different accounts of something that happened • Assess the reliability (credibility) and bias of each source • Choose Information that is pertinent to you • THEN…

SYNTHESIS You create a composite (blended) account of what happened – A SYNTHESIS of what really went on When writing a synthesis essay you create a composite account of the two texts’ deeper meaning – your interpretation

NOW… • Let’s try the concept with a concrete project – • SYNTHESIZING OBJECTS

Synthesis Basics