7.2 Synthesizing a Position

Conversation among sources

Real synthesis puts sources in conversation — showing where they agree, disagree, or complicate one another — while your argument guides the discussion.

Your voice leads

Your own line of reasoning organizes the essay; sources enter to advance it. Group sources by idea, not by document, so each paragraph develops a point rather than a source.

Complexity

The sophistication point rewards essays that acknowledge tensions among sources or the complexity of the issue, rather than treating it as one-sided.

Key terms

Sources in conversation

Showing where sources agree, disagree, or complicate each other.

Organize by idea

Group paragraphs by point, not by document.

Your line of reasoning

Your argument leads; sources enter to advance it.

Synthesis vs. summary

Synthesis relates sources; summary just retells each.

Complexity

Acknowledging tensions among sources earns sophistication.

Try an AP-style question

Synthesis means…

1. summarizing each source separately
2. copying the sources
3. ignoring the sources
4. combining sources to support your own argument