Synthesizing is another critical skill that our students and teachers need to master to do well on tests and in the classroom.
Synthesizing
Synthesizing means to combine two or more sources in order to create something new. There are three main problems you may confront when synthesizing:
- The relationship between the sources may not be obvious, so you must figure out the connection.
- One source seems to contain all the information, so you must balance the information to include all sources.
- Synthesis requires high-level thinking and, therefore, a plan.
To synthesize well, you should summarize the primary source; use transition sentences; and include the secondary source(s). You will usually be asked to summarize the main points in the primary source on the TOEFL exam; however, even if you are not asked to do this, you should begin with the notes from the primary source. You will, of course, still take notes on both sources.
Transition sentences show the relationship between the primary and secondary sources and can be used to connect the information. A synthesis is not complete unless information from the secondary source is included.
Use the following procedure to create a synthesis of two sources: 1) Read the passage and take notes. 2) Listen to the lecture and take notes. 3) Summarize the primary source. 4) Create a transition sentence to connect the primary and secondary sources. 5) Summarize the secondary source while referencing the primary source. See the chart below for examples to create transitions:
| Primary Source | Secondary Source |
| Theory: A research study on______ | Research study: was carried out___. According to____ |
| A research study on flow was carried out at Harvard. According to the study, …. | |
| Definition: An example of______ | Example: is___. According to______ |
| An example of a familiar opera is Carmen. According to the lecturer, “Carmen… | |
| Cause: ____ may have caused | Effect: ____. According to_____ |
| The impact of a large meteor on Earth may have caused the disappearance of dinosaurs. According to the lecturer, the meteor…. | |
| Opinion: _______. | Opposing Opinion: However, a case made be made for the opposing view. According to… |
| …the view that nuclear power plants are dangerous. However, a case can be made for the opposing view. According to the lecturer, … | |
Source: Adapted from Sharpe, Pamela J., and Pamela J. Sharpe. Pass Key to the TOEFL IBT: Test of English as a Foreign Language : Internet-based Test. 6th ed. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron’s Educational Series, 2006. Print.
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