Summa Cum Laude

Once we have understood, responded to, and evaluated a single source, we are in a position to link that source with others. By establishing links between one author and others (including ourselves), we achieve a synthesis, i.e. an integration of sources. Synthesis is the fourth and in some ways the most complex component of a close, critical reading, i.e. that will make us a critical reader and critical writer, because it requires that we read and understand all our source materials and that we respond to and evaluate each one.

We have four goals in reading to synthesize:

1. Read to understand, respond to, and evaluate multiple sources on a subject, problem, or issue.
2. Understand our own views on the subject, problem, or issue. Be able to state these views in a sentence or two.
3. Forge relationships among source materials, according to our purpose. In a synthesis, our views should predominate. use the work of various authors to support what we think.
4. Generally, try to create a conversation among sources. Be sure that yours is the major voice in the conversation.

Students find the following plan helpful when writing synthesis:

• Read, respond to, and evaluate multiple sources on a topic.
• Subdivide the topic into parts and give each a brief title.
• Write cross-references for each part.
• Summarize each author’s information or ideas about each part.
• Forge relationships among reading selections.