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Explanatory Synthesis
Chapter Guide

A synthesis is a written discussion that draws on two or more sources. In writing a synthesis, you infer relationships between sources, both written and non-written.

Written Sources	Essays	Articles	Fiction
Non-written Sources	Lectures	Interviews	Observations

In academic synthesis, you make explicit the relationships that you have inferred among separate sources. Your synthesis will consist of three parts:

A summary of the source
A judgment or evaluation of the source
A determination of the relationship between your sources

In writing a synthesis, you will need to choose your sources carefully, drawing relationships based on the purpose of your essay. For example, one assignment might ask you to draw a cause-and-effect relationship between two sources, another might ask you to argue a proposition, and yet another might ask you to compare and contrast. Keep your purpose clearly in mind, and it will be easier to extract the information you need from your sources.

How to Write Syntheses

Although all writing is recursive in nature, here are a few guidelines to follow that will help you organize and write your paper:

Consider your purpose in writing.
Select and carefully read your sources.
Formulate a thesis.
Decide how you will use your source material.
Develop an organizational plan, using your thesis as a guide.
Draft the topic sentences for the main sections.
Write the first draft of your synthesis.
Document your sources.
Revise your synthesis.

There are two main types of syntheses: the explanatory synthesis and the argument. You might use one type of synthesis in your essay, or you might use others, depending on your purpose.

The Explanatory Synthesis

In the explanatory synthesis, writers divide a subject into its component parts and present them to the reader in a clear and orderly fashion. You will present the facts objectively, without judgment. Your purpose is to use your sources to inform your readers.

In developing a thesis for your explanatory synthesis, base your thesis on an idea that is clearly supported in all of your sources. In the explanatory thesis, you are not looking for controversy; rather, you are looking for clarity and illumination.

In doing research, you will want to summarize your sources, but you will not use all of the information in every summary. Keep your thesis and purpose clearly in mind and use the information in your sources that best helps you achieve your purpose.

In developing an organizational plan for your explanatory synthesis, decide what information your reader needs to understand the issue or problem. In arranging your explanation, decide what the readers need to understand first before they can move through your text. Then order your synthesis according to a structure that is consistent. Build on each section and lead your readers to your next point.