18 What is Synthesizing?

To “synthesize” means to bring parts together. Think of it as puzzle pieces that you’re putting in place to create a whole picture.

As you read a text (speech, article, textbook, etc) you annotate.  Your annotations may include your thoughts and the author’s thoughts.  Sometimes, your annotations may include the ideas for other authors that you have read previously.  These annotations help you to process and combine these ideas in your mind. You begin to make connections between what you are reading currently, what you have read in the past, and your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.  Synthesizing often happens as we are reading and thinking.

As you read and make connections between articles on similar topics, think of it as a roundtable discussion.  You are the facilitator of this discussion and each of the authors is sitting at the table.  You have your ideas and each of the authors has their ideas.  How can you make connections between all parties?

This is called synthesizing.

By having a “conversation” with these authors, you may find new ideas and rethink your old ideas.

Here is the challenge: How do you write a paragraph that displays the synthesizing that takes place in your mind and that you’ve demonstrated through your annotations?  You want your paragraph to include:

• Your thoughts
• The author’s thoughts

Here are the basic steps to writing a paragraph that synthesizes your ideas with the ideas of others:

Step 1: Write the main idea statement. This sentence introduces the topic you will discuss in the paragraph.

Step 2: Clarify your main idea statement. Use this sentence (or sentences) to elaborate on the topic.

Step 3: Introduce the writer, author, or speaker you will be quoting.

Step 4: Quote (or paraphrase) the writer, author, or speaker.  This sentence is used to support your ideas or evidence of the point you are making.

Step 5: Elaborate on the quote.  Explain the quote further by making connections.  For example, relate the quote to other material that you have read or to your own experience by giving an example.

Step 6: Write your final thoughts about the topic.

As you continue to learn about incorporating the ideas of others into your writing, you’ll strengthen your synthesizing skills.

Quote Sandwich

The quote sandwich is a technique that helps a writer to incorporate the words of others into their writing.

1. Introduce it with a reporting verb. Professor of Psychology, Jonathan Freeman states….  According to Professor of Psychology Jonathan Freeman….
2. Add the quote after the reporting verb.
3. Explain the quote. What does the quote mean? How does it connect to the topic?

Reporting Verbs

Reporting verbs are words that introduce the author’s words that you are quoting in your text.  When used strategically and appropriately these verbs can help to elevate your academic writing because they describe how an author presented their ideas.  For example, take a look at the two sentences below that introduce quotes:

Kane writes that “Annotating as you read will increase your focus and comprehension .”

Kane insists that “Annotating as you read will increase your focus and comprehension.”

Notice the two reporting verbs that are used to describe HOW Kane expresses herself.  The word “writes” is okay, but the word “insists” gives the reader a better idea of how Kane feels about the topic.

Click here for list of reporting verbs and how to use them in your academic writing.