SYNTHESIS
Bringing together multiple components into a single whole is synthesis. In practice, synthesis arguments involve finding common ground between A and B (and maybe C or D) or showing the implications of A and B both representing valid arguments.
Overview:
Synthesis is important to understand both as a method of understanding the world and as a tool in constructing arguments. One traditional model (variously attributed to different philosophers) is that of thesis-antithesis-synthesis. Simply put, thesis involves putting forward a claim, antithesis involves disagreeing with the claim, and synthesis involves using reason and evidence to come to a conclusion regarding the most appropriate ‘balanced’ position between these extremes. Other models of synthesis involve piling data points on top of one another to construct a larger claim out of a number of smaller ones.
Application:
Most college-level writing assignments will involve some form of synthesis. The tricky part for student writers is often in deciding what should and should not be added to the mix. Additionally, while many assignments do call for synthesis in the sense of comparing viewpoints or compiling data, it is rarely a good idea simply to repeat facts gathered from elsewhere. Using logic and analysis to navigate the different pieces of data and then to come to a conclusion is the valuable part of the assignment. Two common forms of synthesis merit special attention.
Sometimes, student writers will be in a position where they need to put together facts because they cannot find all of the information that they need in one place. For example, one source might claim that drug rehabilitation programs cost taxpayers X number of dollars per patient. Another source might claim that drug incarceration costs taxpayers Y number of dollars per inmate. The student-writer can now make a comparison regarding the relative costs (X vs. Y) of treatment and incarceration, even if this information was not found in a reliable source on its own.
Additionally, sometimes sources will disagree. Source A might claim that a certain number of violent crimes are committed every year. Source B might claim another number. Source C might claim a third number entirety. By comparing these numbers and the definitions each source used for ‘violent crime’, as well as how each source gathered its data, the student writer can present a vastly more complex and nuanced argument.
As an invention strategy, synthesis works because it allows a student to begin by making simple comparisons and build ‘up’ from these smaller arguments.
What to Avoid:
Student writers need to be careful not to equate ‘more’ with ‘better.’ A lot of information from a lot of bad sources, or a lot of opinions from a lot of misinformed people, does nothing to prove a point’s validity. Quality always has to come first, so student writers need to make sure that each time they write they are synthesizing only information or opinions that have merit and relevance to the discussion at hand.
Bringing together multiple components into a single whole is synthesis. In practice, synthesis arguments involve finding common ground between A and B (and maybe C or D) or showing the implications of A and B both representing valid arguments.
Overview:
Synthesis is important to understand both as a method of understanding the world and as a tool in constructing arguments. One traditional model (variously attributed to different philosophers) is that of thesis-antithesis-synthesis. Simply put, thesis involves putting forward a claim, antithesis involves disagreeing with the claim, and synthesis involves using reason and evidence to come to a conclusion regarding the most appropriate ‘balanced’ position between these extremes. Other models of synthesis involve piling data points on top of one another to construct a larger claim out of a number of smaller ones.
Application:
Most college-level writing assignments will involve some form of synthesis. The tricky part for student writers is often in deciding what should and should not be added to the mix. Additionally, while many assignments do call for synthesis in the sense of comparing viewpoints or compiling data, it is rarely a good idea simply to repeat facts gathered from elsewhere. Using logic and analysis to navigate the different pieces of data and then to come to a conclusion is the valuable part of the assignment. Two common forms of synthesis merit special attention.
Sometimes, student writers will be in a position where they need to put together facts because they cannot find all of the information that they need in one place. For example, one source might claim that drug rehabilitation programs cost taxpayers X number of dollars per patient. Another source might claim that drug incarceration costs taxpayers Y number of dollars per inmate. The student-writer can now make a comparison regarding the relative costs (X vs. Y) of treatment and incarceration, even if this information was not found in a reliable source on its own.
Additionally, sometimes sources will disagree. Source A might claim that a certain number of violent crimes are committed every year. Source B might claim another number. Source C might claim a third number entirety. By comparing these numbers and the definitions each source used for ‘violent crime’, as well as how each source gathered its data, the student writer can present a vastly more complex and nuanced argument.
As an invention strategy, synthesis works because it allows a student to begin by making simple comparisons and build ‘up’ from these smaller arguments.
What to Avoid:
Student writers need to be careful not to equate ‘more’ with ‘better.’ A lot of information from a lot of bad sources, or a lot of opinions from a lot of misinformed people, does nothing to prove a point’s validity. Quality always has to come first, so student writers need to make sure that each time they write they are synthesizing only information or opinions that have merit and relevance to the discussion at hand.
