Introduction to Unit 4: Literature Review/ Synthesis EssayAllyn and Bacon Chapters 8 and 13

The Next Step . . .In past units, you have been asked to reflect, summarize, and analyze on both the rhetorical and idea levels. You have been asked to objectively critique a piece of writing with both “with the grain” and “against the grain”points, effectively outlining a single author’s argument without placing yourself into the conversation.

SYNTHESIS asks you to do many of these things but for multiple sources AND to critique these sources both individually and within relation to each other (and the perceived general discourse on the topic). Synthesis asks you to present what is known about a topic, what is unknown, what needs to be investigated, and finally what new perspectives were gained from the investigation.

Asking a Question . . .“The need to synthesize ideas usually begins when you pose a problematic question that sends you on an intellectual journey through a group of texts.”– Ramage, Bean, and Johnson.

Two Types of Questions You’ll Need

General Topic Questions:What effect is technology having on the quality of human life?

Should Standardized testing be used in college admissions?

Is online learning effective?

Critical/Source Questions:What are the common assumptions and conclusions?

What problems and solutions appear?

What are the differences in presentation/solutions etc.?

Do you side with a certain source more than others?

How to attack this essay assignment

Step 1: Formulate a topic/ topic question

Step 2: Search for sources

Step 3: Briefly evaluate, summarize, and analyze sources (Annotated Bibliography). Think about the tension between sources and what realizations might come from this tension.

Step 4: Summarize each source.

Step 5: Analyze each source on idea levels (Your Analysis should lead into your Synthesis)

Step 6: Identify main issues or themes in your chosen sources. Explore similarities and differences in ideas.

Step 7: Explore your own views on the original synthesis question and how your views have evolved since your exploration. What do you want to say about the connections between the texts and what they mean. What new insights have you gained? What should be done?

A closer look at analyzing your sources and incorporating text

Think about analyzing sources like a pie, sandwich, or an Oreo cookie.

The top bread: Introducing the aspect of the topic you are critiquing/providing context.

The meat/ cream center/ fruit filling: Comparison and Contrast, your critique, textual evidence.

The Bottom bread: Reflection on your analysis, what does this critical point mean for your synthesis question? How can you link this to another critique pt? Is there another source that opposes this criticism?

Structure of the Synthesis Essay

Introduction (Presents Synthesis question, provides topic context, hooks reader)

Summary of texts (each source should be summarized)

Thesis Statement

Analytical Sections (Should logically flow toward your synthesis and be connected via transitions.)

Synthesis Sections (Realizations/ Evaluations)

Conclusion (Reiterates values and limitations of the text you have analyzed. Pulls together your new insights. Leaves the reader thinking about your views.

For now, let’s focus specifically on

synthesis and how one pulls together

ideas from multiple sources in order to

present a dialogue and forward your

views.

What was Synthesis again?

Synthesis is the result of comparing two or more contrasting ideas. The original idea is called a 'thesis' and the second, opposite idea is called an 'anti-thesis'.

In academic writing it is often necessary for writers to consider different points of view and decide whether to support one point of view, the other point of view, a combination of them, or neither of them. This can be followed by, and support, the writer's opinion.

In the following example, notice how the writer summarizes the arguments of the two authors before giving the synthesis.

Example 1:Thesis

This study has therefore revealed that children who play computer games on a regular basis experience a number of medical problems. The evidence suggests that the most serious problem is crooked posture, which is caused by their being hunched over their computers for considerable periods of time. Another common problem associated with playing computer games over long periods (when the same moves are constantly repeated) is that of pain in the hands

(Source: Brown)

Anti-Thesis

It is claimed that computer games have negative physical effects on eyesight, hands and posture. However, all of these are caused by the computer hardware and equipment, not by the software. The same physical effects occur from prolonged usage of computers for any reason, such as word-processing. In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome was identified as a workplace ailment caused by office programs, not games. These physical effects can all be reduced or eliminated by better hardware and more attention to ergonomics, such as higher-resolution and higher-contrast screens, and supportive furniture

(Source: Smith)

Example 1: Synthesis A

The effects of playing computer games on physical health are controversial (Brown , 2000; Smith, 2003). Although Brown (2000, p.141) states that computer games can cause physical problems such as bad posture and pain in the hands, Smith (2003) argues that these problems are caused by the hardware, not the games. In my opinion the games cause physical health problems because they encourage long periods of computer use on harmful hardware.

Example 1: Synthesis B

The effects of playing computer games on physical health are controversial (Brown , 2000; Smith, 2003). Brown (2000, p.141) suggests that computer games can cause physical problems such as bad posture and pain in the hands. However, Smith (2003) points out that these problems are caused by the hardware, not the games. I believe that the physical health problems are caused by games as they encourage long periods of computer use on harmful hardware.

Example 1: Synthesis C

The effects of playing computer games on physical health are controversial (Brown , 2000; Smith, 2003). According to Brown (2000, p.141) computer games can cause physical problems such as bad posture and pain in the hands. Smith (2003) disagrees, and argues that these problems are caused by the hardware, not the games. I contend that the physical health problems are due to the long periods of computer use on harmful hardware which occur when children are playing computer games.

Example 2Thesis

As was noted earlier, the majority of computer games produced today have violence as their principal theme. Despite the growing concerns of parents and teachers in the past decade, it would appear from my research that violence in computer games is becoming increasingly realistic and explicit. We are thus faced with the familiar question: Does playing violent computer games lead to aggressive behaviour in young people? This is clearly a highly complex issue. Research conducted in the past decade has revealed that young people who regularly play violent computer games have a tendency to be more aggressive than those who do not. Perhaps not surprisingly, my findings tend to support this position. (Walker)

Anti-ThesisOn the issue of violence, the modern media surrounds us with violence. Movies such as 'The Matrix', television programs such as the news, newspaper reports of sports such as boxing, and radio dramas often involve violence. It is difficult to watch TV for one evening without seeing an explosion, car chase, death or violence. Children's programs are especially violent, as is shown by Tom and Jerry. If young children are expected to realise that it is only a cartoon, teenagers playing computer games can also recognise that it's only a game.In addition, many computer games are non-violent, for example, 'The Sims' is a very popular game of social interaction, and football playing and management games involve almost no violence. (Smith)

Example 2: Synthesis A

Walker's findings (2001, p.116) show that 'young people who regularly play violent computer games have a tendency to be more aggressive than those who do not'. If this research compares children who have been equally exposed to violence in other media, Smith's (2003) arguments about violence in the media are not relevant. In addition, Walker only examined violent computer games, so Smith's argument about non-violent computer games is irrelevant.

Example 3THESIS: One problem that Internet users have to deal with is the huge quantity and variety of sources of possible interest to them. This creates problems of how to select relevant information. The problems are aggravated by a lack of effective search tools. Many search facilities are limited in their capabilities and are consequently not able to deal with the volume of available resources. Some search engines often return a huge number of results to users’ queries, and the details provided in the search output often lack enough detail to enable users to assess the relevance of the sites which are listed. However, other search engines source a limited number and kind of sites. This makes the list of sites they provide both restrictive and possibly biased. It is hard for the untrained eye to detect these restrictions.

(Cuisinier)

ANTI-THESIS: Although, for a novice user, the results returned by Internet search engines may appear confusing and any bias may not be obvious, these problems are becoming less serious. Firstly, although some search engines have problems, there is a wide range of engines available. Users can choose a search engine which suits them and gives informative and relevant results. Secondly, modern search engines often identify sponsored links. If users find that their search engine refers them to sites that give irrelevant commercial links, they can use a different search engine. Finally, as the Internet becomes more mature, users become more experienced. Therefore they can increasingly use search terms or advanced search functions which give better results. (Smith)

Example 3: Synthesis

Cuisinier (2000) criticises search engines for returning too many results with not enough, or biased, information. According to Smith (2003), the situation is improving as users have a choice of search engines, and sponsored links are now often identified.  However, I believe that there is still room for improvement, as searching the Internet is still too time-consuming. I suggest that search engines need to improve their ability to understand questions in sentence form.

Exercise: Using the sources you have collected:

1)How would you describe each writer’s perspective or angle of vision? In one or two sentences, summarize the main points of each article. Come up with a paragraph in which you cite the main ideas for each source and come up with an evaluative statement.

2)List ideas that the pieces have in common

3) List contradictions or differences.

4) Free-write your own response to these readings, exploring what questions they raise for you or personal experiences that they might remind you of.