Synthesizing Information

Thesis Statements Your thesis statement should appear in your abstract

and in your introductory paragraph

Your thesis statement is the main point of your essay

It is the answer to your research questions

The rest of your essay will exist to prove your thesis statement is correct

Be prepared to possibly rephrase or revise your thesis statement as you go along

Thesis Statement EXAMPLE QUESTION: What effect does steroid

therapy have on osteoporosis?

THESIS STATEMENT: Long term steroid therapy negatively affects bone density and bone growth and can increase a patient’s risk of developing osteoporosis.

Organizing Your Essay First, organize your notes

Second, classify your notes into sections

Third, organize the sections and determine in what order you will discuss these ideas

Fourth, establish a clear outline of your main points and what quotes you will use to support these ideas

Organizing Your Essay Your paper should be 3-4 pages NOT including your

cover sheet, abstract, or references page

You will need an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion

Introduction Introductions serve to provide the readers with the

general topic of the essay

Introductions explain the author’s main point

Your thesis statement is best placed as the last sentence of your introduction

Body Paragraphs Body paragraphs provide the EVIDENCE you need to

support your thesis

All body paragraphs need:

Topic sentences

Examples

Analysis of the examples

Conclusion Conclusions serve to sum up the information in the

essay

Conclusions can provide recommendations for the future or provide thought-provoking questions for further research

Conclusions should NOT contain any new information

Synthesizing Info in Your Paper

What does “synthesize” mean? To synthesize information means to take the

information from a source and combine it with your own thoughts and ideas

It is NOT summarization

To synthesize requires that you take the information, draw your own conclusions about this information, reflect upon it, and analyze it

When you synthesize information in your paper, you combine your own thoughts with the information from other sources to make a new point

You want this combination to be as seamless and smooth as possible

Make fruit smoothies – not fruit salad!

Photo from:www.musclemakergrill.com Photo from: www.savorysweetlife.com

How to Synthesize Effectively

Step 1: Organize the Information

Outline your paper

Categorize your sources and the sections of your sources you plan on using

Connect the outline of your paper with the information you plan on using from your sources

Create a system for this that works for you

Step 2: Integrate the Information

You will need to integrate the information from the sources into your paragraphs

Either you build your paragraph and insert the information

OR

You start with your information and build your paragraph around it

Step 3: Blend Remember you are making a smoothie!

Use signal phrases to introduce outside information

Signal phrases include:

• For example…

• According to…

• As X writes/states/explains/reports/notes…

Step 3: Blend, continued After any quotes or sections you have paraphrased

be sure you CITE the information correctly

Then, add your analysis. This is where you explain to the reader the importance of the quote. This is also where you connect this information with your thesis.

Use signal words to let the reader know you are now combining your thoughts with the information you just presented.

Step 3: Blend, continued The signal phrases you use to introduce your

analysis will depend on what conclusions you would like to draw

To agree: The author makes an excellent point…, It is important to note that…, The author confirms the idea that… The author emphasizes the point that…

To disagree: While the author states X, it is important to realize that…, This idea is in contrast with…, Although the author believes…

Example Oakleaf goes on to explain that "By only focusing on individual parts of a

concept, test creators tend to develop over-simplified test items. In fact, the fixed-answer choices limit the ability to measure changes in "complex behavior or actual performance success" (237). Furthermore, "tests do not necessarily help students learn and develop complex skills, which should ultimately be a goal of good assessment." (237). Oakleaf is emphasizing the point that fixed-choice tests have their place in an assessment initiative, but cannot measure enough or effect enough change to be a whole useful tool.

Example Illustrating the functions of the tool, she explains “Typically,

instructors who use clicker technology prepare true/false or multiple choice questions in advance and project these questions on the screen, either through the clicker software interface or PowerPoint, as a graded quick or question related to the depth and breadth of course content” (2009, p. 20). Connor contends that clickers make an effective learning tool that can enhance

learning by making it more interesting. However, this is not always the case.

A Note on Citation Be sure you are familiar with citation rules!

While blending your ideas with that of other author’s makes for good research, it is important to identify where your thoughts end and another’s begin!

Good Luck on Your Papers! Good luck on your papers Get started RIGHT AWAY!!

If you want me to look at a draft, you must submit it on or before next class.