How to Synthesize and Analyze
- Integrate sources focusing on one idea into one paragraph and show how each one adds to the idea
- Have a clear topic sentence that show the idea being synthesized
- Utilize transitions to show how the ideas relate and how the authors complement or refute one another's ideas
- Analyze and show how/why these ideas are valid, add to the conversation, and present a multi-faceted perspective
What Not to do: Book Report
When attempting to synthesize and analyze, do not do the following:
- Omit a clear topic sentence about the main point for the paragraph
- List what the author of each article said without connecting ideas together
- Leave out transitions to show how the ideas relate or refute one another
Using the "book report" mentality and simply presenting several author's ideas in the same paragraph without connecting and linking ideas to a main point is a common mistake. Try taking those same ideas and presenting them under a unified idea with clear transitions and analysis to show how these ideas fit together.
