Lesson Five: Synthesizing Sources

• Assignment: Read the synthesis handout for examples
• Assignment: Choose the sources you want to use and synthesize them on your blog.

Remember that the video we watched said that research is combining what you know with what other people think. Combining ideas and opinions is called synthesis. You start by explaining what one of your sources thinks, then contrast or combine it with a second source. Finally you make sure the reader knows what your opinion is by either explaining it or using vocabulary that makes your opinion obvious. For example, you might write, "Smith says .... but he doesn't understand that ....". Even though you didn't say "I think", the reader knows what your opinion is.