SYNTHESISING INFORMATION FROM MORE THAN ONE SOURCE

In addition to summarising individual texts, and incorporating references and quotations from them, you will probably often have to synthesise information from two or more sources. This may be done in several ways and for several purposes.

For example, synthesis may involve:

• a simple presentation of differing or supporting (view)points.

• a presentation of (view)points with additional comment by you.

• (view)points incorporated into your work which you may challenge or support, or use as a basis for your own ideas.

Below are two examples of synthesising from more than one source.

(From E. Ramani, 'Theorizing from rhe classroom', ELT Journal, vol. 41, no. 1, 1987.)

In the first example, there is a simple presentation of supporting information. In the second example, two supporting viewpoints are given in the first sentence to support the writer's idea in the second.

Sources:

Mackay, John T & S.E. (1998). Study Skills For Academic Writing. London: Prentice Hall Internaional English Language Teaching.