when you research a subject, you read many different sources. then you need to synthesize, or put...
TRANSCRIPT
When you research a subject, you read many different sources. Then you need to synthesize, or put all the pieces together, to see the big picture.
Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
Source 4
Synthesizing Sources
Steps for Synthesizing
• Find the main idea. Take notes about the writer’s most important point, opinion, or message.
• If you encounter a difficult passage, paraphrase it, or restate it in your own words.
Synthesizing Sources
• Look for supporting evidence—facts, statistics, examples, anecdotes, or quotations. To help find the writer’s main idea and support, try making a chart.
Main Idea 1 Main Idea 2
Support 1Support 2
Support 1Support 2
Steps for Synthesizing
Synthesizing Sources
What is the writer’s main idea?
What are some pieces of supporting evidence?
Quick Check
The writer entered Washington College Hospital comatose, Dr. Benitez said, but by the next day was perspiring heavily, hallucinating, and shouting at imaginary companions. The next day, he seemed better but could not remember falling ill.
On his fourth day at the hospital, Poe again grew confused and belligerent, then quieted down and died.
That is a classic case of rabies, the doctor said.
from “Poe’s Death Is Rewritten as a Case of Rabies, Not Telltale Alcohol” (from The New York Times,
September 15, 1996)
Synthesizing Sources
• Compare and contrast. Look for similarities and differences among the sources, especially in the author’s main idea and the types of support used.
• Make connections. Is the information in the sources familiar to you? Have you read about it in other places?
Steps for Synthesizing
Synthesizing Sources
What other theories have you heard about Poe’s death?
Quick Check
Synthesizing Sources
The writer entered Washington College Hospital comatose, Dr. Benitez said, but by the next day was perspiring heavily, hallucinating, and shouting at imaginary companions. The next day, he seemed better but could not remember falling ill.
On his fourth day at the hospital, Poe again grew confused and belligerent, then quieted down and died.
That is a classic case of rabies, the doctor said.
from “Poe’s Death Is Rewritten as a Case of Rabies, Not Telltale Alcohol” (from The New York Times,
September 15, 1996)
Putting It All Together
Once you’ve completed all the steps, put the pieces together. To synthesize what you’ve learned, you may want to write a research report, editorial, speech or letter on the topic.
Synthesizing Sources
[End of Section]
After you read these four articles concerning Poe’s death, synthesize the information.
[End of Section]
• Find the main idea of each article.
• Identify the supporting evidence for each main idea.
• Compare and contrast main ideas and evidence.
• Make connections with other sources.
• Write an essay about the articles and discuss which theory you believe.
Assignment
The End