When summarising you may need to combine two or more viewpoints or pieces of information from other writers. This technique is called synthesis. Often one reference will support another but there may be opposing views as well.

Example of Synthesis:

 

As already noted (in Chapter 3), another way in which field researchers have sidestepped the issue of validity is by stressing a concern to generate rather than to test theories. For instance, Glaser and Strauss' concept of 'groundes theory' (1967) seeks to generate and develop categories in order to produce delimited theories grounded in the data. While Glaser and Strauss' emphasis on 'the constant comparative method' is helpful, others have rightly criticised their apparent lack of interest in testing hypotheses (e.g. Fielding: 1988,8) although, in a later work, Strauss (1987) does claim that his approach is 'designedd especially for generating and testing theory' (xi). Source: Silverman, D. (1993). Interpreting Qualitative Data. Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and Interaction. London: Sage Publications: 153

To make a synthesis you need to find suitable sources, and then to select the relevant parts in those sources. You will then use your paraphrase, quotation and summary skills to write the information in your own words. The information from all the sources has to fit together into one continuous text.

Exercise

The two quotations below are related to the same topic: notetaking. Paraphrase them (not using direct quotations) in a brief paragraph. Then compare it with your answer.

* Exercise adapted from: Jordan, R. R. (1999) Academic Writing Course. Study Skills in English. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.

When writing analytically, you need to master synthesising skills to point out the merits or drawbacks of theories held by others:

Read the following webpage with different synthesised passages:

Writing Critically: Synthesizing Ideas

Exercise

You can also do this exercise to practise your synthesising skills:

UEfAP: Synthesis Exercise