Tips for Synthesising Ideas from Multiple Sources

Organise and explain what you are learning.

Let you investigate the links between concepts and organise them logically and meaningfully.

Organise your data in similar types of information and put them in categories.

Sequence the information with labels

1. Define the central meaning of the information retrieved.

2. Gather the information about the series or sequence materials in chronological or comparative order.

Put your thoughts in writing by combining ideas, analysing and adding information based on experience and knowledge to form new insights on the topics discussed.

This pattern expresses a link between two or more acts, events, or occurrences.

They are connected in time.

An example of a cause-and-effect paragraph is as follows:

1. Several variables might contribute to stress, including conflicts with your views and principles. For example, you place a high priority on your family life. Unfortunately, you cannot make time for your family due to other responsibilities that limit your time with them. Your surroundings are another source of stress. Chronic stress can also be caused by overcrowding and a high crime rate. Furthermore, if you are dissatisfied with your employment, it exacerbates the situation.
    

The similarities and differences of ideas/views/patterns are highlighted.

A comparison-contrast paragraph is shown below:
 

1. Our daily interactions with our surroundings cause stress. When we are overwhelmed by particular circumstances, we suffer stress. Depression, on the other hand, is a physiological imbalance that causes a mood shift. When we are depressed, we feel down most of the time and lose interest in the activities we like. Depression can be brought on by stress. Aside from the distinctions, stress and depression have several symptoms. These symptoms include a sense of emptiness and changes in sleeping and eating habits.

An issue is stated, and research is carried out to test potential solutions to the problem.

An example of this pattern is depicted below:

1. If nothing is done, stress and despair can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Learning to identify problematic thoughts is thus one method for overcoming these issues. We must prioritise our job and not put off crucial chores. Furthermore, we should replace our negative thoughts with things that bring us joy. For example, if we need to leave the workplace to meet a customer, we may bring our family. We can develop our family bonds while also fulfilling our responsibilities as employees. We may also attempt certain meditation techniques to reduce negative ideas and sensations.
    

The information is divided into main areas.

An example of a classification is shown in the paragraph below.

1. There are three types of stress: acute, episodic, acute, and chronic. Acute stress is the most prevalent sort of stress that everyone experiences. This tension may be enjoyable in tiny doses, but too much stress can be draining. Another sort of stress is episodic stress, which is felt by those who live chaotic lifestyles. These folks are too concerned with little matters or situations in their lives. Chronic stress is the third and most harmful category. People who suffer from chronic stress have no chance of resolving their difficulties. Panic attacks, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndromes, and other disorders are caused by this sort of stress.

Consider why you're writing.

1. Are you writing to convince others or express your thoughts on specific issues?

2. Knowing why you're writing can assist you in identifying the materials you'll need to persuade your readers of what you're writing.

Choose and thoroughly read your sources.

1. The objective of your writing determines this procedure.

2. You must read, re-read, and summarise material from several sources.

3. Highlight the major concepts, keywords, and other facts that will be utilised later in your synthesis.

Create a thesis statement.

1. A thesis is the key topic that will be presented in your synthesis.

2. It must be written in a full sentence.

Determine how you will employ your source material.

1. You must select material from many sources that best build and support your argument.

Using your thesis, create an organisational strategy.

1. You must devise a strategy for developing the work based on your acquired information.

Create the major section topic sentences.

1. A paragraph usually starts with a subject sentence.

2. A subject sentence is the dominating notion of a paragraph and communicates an idea in a full sentence.

3. For each of your topic lines, provide a few supporting information.

Keep track of your sources.

1. For in-text citations and references, use the APA format.

2. To avoid plagiarism, you must credit the sources you consulted.

Recheck your synthesis.

1. You should go through your work again.

2. Check spelling, grammar, punctuation, and transitions to ensure that all quotes are integrated and that the essay flows smoothly, logically, and clearly from beginning to conclusion.

How would you design...?

What changes would you make to improve...?

Can you predict what will happen...?

Suppose you could..... How would you react...?

What changes would you make to solve...?

Can you create a model that changes...?

Can you come up with an original solution for...?

Can you propose another option...?

I believe the paragraph is about forming an opinion...

After reading the article(s), my perspective on the topic/theme shifted...

After reading... (the article's title/a paragraph on a certain topic), I now believe...

Because..., the author's goal in producing a piece was...

Consider the author's position on a topic.

Look for supporting information in the articles.

Contrast the information presented in various articles.

Examine how the arguments in various sources differ from one another.

Identify the evidence utilised to support the author's point of view.

Organise the above-mentioned information in a logical order.

Use facts from several sources to back up your thoughts and statements in your writing.

What do you find most appealing about your peer's synthesis?

Is it apparent what the synthesis is?

1. Did your peer properly list and reference the source(s)?

Is it always evident which source your peers are discussing at any time?

1. Make a notation where it is unclear.

Is each source text's thesis obvious in the synthesis?

1. Write down your thoughts on each thesis.

If you've read the same sources,

1. Did your classmate leave anything out of his or her synthesis?

2. If so, what exactly are they?

3. Did your colleague add any of his or her points of view in his or her synthesis?

4. If so, what exactly are they?

5. Did you identify the same hypotheses as your colleague?

6. If not, what makes them different?

Are the transitions in the writing appropriate?

1. Do transitions need to be employed at any point(s) in the synthesis to improve your grasp of the writing?

2. If so, where and how could transitions be incorporated?

Is a diagram utilised to demonstrate the writing's structure?

1. What is the organisational structure of the synthesis if a diagram is used?

Is the structure successfully used in the writing?

1. If not, how will your peer be able to edit it?

How is each paragraph organised?

1. It may be beneficial to create a plan/diagram.

2. Is this technique effective?

3. If this is the case, how should your peer revise?

Was there a mechanical, grammatical, or typographical problem in the paper that irritated you?

1. If this is the case, how can the author make it right?

2. Have you noticed this mistake more than once?

3. Do not remark on every mistake or other issue you notice.

What further suggestions do you have for the paper's author?

Without synthesis, the learner just reiterated each author's idea.

It is just a matter of copying and pasting information from various sources.

The learner may not understand or learn how these concepts are linked.

The pupils also failed to demonstrate if some concepts were more important than others.

The student used the incorrect in-text citation format.

The synthesis may have some grammatical problems.