Entering the Conversation

We all draw on the ideas of others as we develop our own positions, regardless of the topic. Whether you are explaining your opinion about an issue specific to your community (such as whether to allow skateboarding in public parks) or you are developing a position on a national or global issue (such as whether to change immigration policies), you should know as much as possible about the topic. Rather than make a quick response that reflects an opinion based only on what you already know, you’ll want to research and read sources—what others have written. Then you can develop your own informed opinion, a measured response that considers multiple perspectives and possibilities. We call this process synthesis; it involves considering various viewpoints in an effort to create a new and more informed position.

Philosopher Kenneth Burke compared this process to showing up late to a party. There are a dozen different conversations going on. If you were to approach one group of people having a heated debate, you’d need to listen for a while to understand what the specific topic is, what has already been said, who is taking what side, and what they’re not saying. Then, by either expanding on what others are saying, challenging what others are saying, or filling in a gap in their understanding, you would begin to enter the conversation and make your own contribution. And that’s what synthesis is all about: entering the conversation that society is having about a topic. You enter the conversation by carefully reading and understanding multiple viewpoints and ideas surrounding an issue, examining your own ideas on the matter, and then synthesizing these perspectives into a more informed position than the one you began with.

When you’re learning about a subject, look for reliable sources. Be aware of the bias that a source brings to the topic. Consider the speaker: What does he or she believe in? How might the speaker’s position lead to personal gain? Don’t look for a pro-and-con debate that represents only polarized views; look for a range of viewpoints. This might sound like a lot to keep in mind, but don’t worry; you work with sources all the time. For instance, when you decide to buy a new smartphone, you gather information by exploring different sources. You might consult Consumer Reports and other technology magazines, compare prices and technical specs, ask friends for their opinions and experiences, and go to an electronics store to talk with experts. You might also read reviews online or use electronic forums as a quick source for many opinions. But you might choose not to ask a friend who has an old flip phone; nor would you want to get all your information from a salesperson, who likely works on commission. The final result of this type of inquiry would be a purchase, not an essay, but you would have had to synthesize a range of sources in order to make the argument to yourself that the phone you chose was the best fit for you.