Synthesizing sources (MLA)

MLA-34

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 series of quotations and paraphrases.

Your synthesis will show how your sources relate to one another. Not every source has to “speak” to another in a research paper, but readers should be able to see how each one functions in your argument.

Sample synthesis (MLA)

Related topics:

Using quotations appropriately

Using signal phrases to integrate sources

Using sources for different purposes