4.1 Synthesizing Evidence

What synthesis is

Synthesis combines ideas and evidence from multiple sources to build something new — your own understanding or argument — rather than summarizing each source separately.

Sources in conversation

Put sources in conversation: show how they connect, support, or challenge one another under your own line of reasoning.

Your voice leads

In synthesis, your argument guides the use of sources; they serve as evidence for your claims. Organize by idea, not source by source.

Key terms

Synthesis

combining sources to build new understanding

Sources in conversation

show how they connect, support, or challenge

Your voice leads

your argument guides the use of sources

Organize by idea

not one paragraph per source

Not summary

synthesis relates sources; summary just retells each

Try an AP-style question

Synthesis means…

1. copying sources word for word
2. combining sources into a new argument
3. summarizing a single source in detail
4. listing citations in order