Synthesizing sources

When you synthesize multiple sources in a research paper, you create a conversation about your research topic. You show readers that your argument is based on your active analysis and integration of ideas, not just a list of quotations and paraphrases. Your synthesis will show how your sources relate to one another; one source may support, extend, or counter the ideas of another. Readers should be able to see how each source functions in your argument.

Related topics:

Considering how sources relate to your argument

Placing sources in conversation

Functions of sources in a paper

Sample synthesis