Understanding Summary, Analysis, and Synthesis in Academic Writing
Summary, analysis, and synthesis are essential components of academic writing. Summary involves restating information while analysis breaks down parts to understand the whole. Synthesis brings together ideas from different sources to create new insights. Each serves a unique purpose in creating well-rounded arguments and interpretations. These concepts are crucial for developing critical thinking skills and enhancing the quality of written work.
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SUMMARY, ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS Kelly Morehead Comp I SUNY New Paltz
Summary Expository; restates information Often involves paraphrasing information Important for creating context by providing background information However, don t let summary dominate your writing. Use it as a platform, not a crutch See Little Seagull Handbook pp. 97-103
Analysis Purpose: Break down parts to understand whole Used in expository and argumentative writing Method of interpretation with a focus on textual evidence An analysis essay makes an argument for an interpretation. Rhetorical analysis, literary or film analysis "Analyze Don't Summarize" by Michael Berube (Writer s Presence p. 344) See Rhetorical Analyses (p. 49) and Literary Analyses (p. 62) in the Little Seagull Handbook
Synthesis Purpose: Bring together ideas from different sources to create a new idea They Say/I Say Method Imagine sources as being in conversation with one another; you need to find a way to gracefully enter this conversation. In your essay, you are the mediator of and commentator on the discussion. Which ideas do you agree/disagree with? Are there disagreements among different sources? What connections and patterns do you notice? What thoughts have your sources sparked, and how have those thoughts influenced your understanding of the subject? In a conversation, you don t just restate what others have already said. (You d look pretty strange if you did.) Instead, you consider their opinions and add your own into the mix, acknowledging what s been said and anticipating others responses.
Synthesis -Academic Conversation A good conversationalist includes the whole group in the discussion; a bad conversationalist has several one-on-one conversations at once . Try to model the approach of the good conversationalist in your writing, balancing your sources and letting them address each other. Bad Good
Synthesis in Everyday Life Whenever you report to a friend the things several other friends have said about a film or CD you engage in synthesis. People synthesize information naturally to help other [sic] see the connections between things they learn; for example, you have probably stored up a mental data bank of the various things you've heard about particular professors. If your data bank contains several negative comments, you might synthesize that information and use it to help you decide not to take a class from that particular professor. Synthesis is related to but not the same as classification, division, or comparison and contrast. Instead of attending to categories or finding similarities and differences, synthesizing sources is a matter of pulling them together into some kind of harmony. Synthesis searches for links between materials for the purpose of constructing a thesis or theory.
Synthesis Example My family believes dogs are the best pets because they are energetic, playful, and affectionate exercise companions. However, many of my coworkers prefer cats because of cats intelligence and calm, low-maintenance attitudes. Although people's pet preferences vary, we choose pets based on our lifestyles and the qualities we value. Dog Cat Catdog
The Successful Academic Essay Successful essays will merge summary, analysis, and synthesis together, creating a balance between them. The required amount of summary, analysis, and synthesis will be determined by the emphasis of the assignment (in other words, the rhetorical situation) e.g., a rhetorical analysis emphasizes analysis (obviously), whereas a lab report might emphasize summary
