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Thinking about Synthesis
One of the myths about writing is that it’s all about loneliness and isolation: the writer toils all alone, usually after midnight, rarely talking to anyone or at least not talking about what she’s writing. But today’s reality is far from this image. While it’s true that when we actually sit down to write, we need some time by ourselves to focus and draft our ideas, the thinking process that prepares us to write is often collaborative: you have an idea that you bounce off of someone; you read online or in print what somebody else has to say about an issue; you respond via a blog post; or maybe you just talk with one or two people. You have a conversation. And that’s what you’re going to do in this chapter: learn how to enter a conversation.
We are using the metaphor of conversation, which is common in rhetoric, as we discuss how to use sources to write a synthesis essay — that is, an argument based on multiple pieces of evidence. In order to develop an opinion on an unfamiliar subject or to deepen your view of a familiar one, you start by listening. Instead of reacting right away, you listen to what others are writing or saying. You may have heard someone comment: “She says whatever pops into her mind.” It’s not meant as a compliment! It’s a reminder that our first opinions are not always smart opinions. So, part of the process we will be discussing in this chapter is reflection: what are some strategies we can use to take a moment to engage with a range of viewpoints, even those that initially we might want to dismiss?
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As you explore an issue, it is also important to take stock of the rhetorical context: are you reading a series of blog posts or comments on social media? reading an article in a well-