Unit 3.2 - Source Synthesis

Students will be able to:

• Understand and differentiate between summary and source synthesis
• Recognize the connection between various sources and combine them into a cohesive source synthesis.
• Create a quality source synthesis based on their own field of research.

Part I : Warm Up

Think about what your background knowledge is about the idea of “source synthesis.” Are you familiar with this? Look at the following questions and see if you know the answers:

• What do you think source synthesis is?
• Is it different from summary?
• Have you ever dealt with source synthesis in your research?

Part II:  Group work - Synthesize Commercials

Watch the three commercials and look for main themes in each of the commercials. These themes are connected in a few ways. Look at the three different commercials and figure out how they are connected with one another, and what an overarching theme could be for all three commercials. Record your observations in the synthesis chart.

• Commercial 1
• Commercial 2
• Commercial 3

Part III: Lecture - Source Synthesis

Look over the powerpoint to find out what source synthesis is through use of the powerpoint. Review the synthesis chart to understand how to synthesize several different sources into one. This chart is a great way to simply summarize an article into the main points, while also being able to synthesize several articles and figure out how they are connected with one another and to your own research.

Part IV: Group work - Synthesize Articles

Now in groups, apply what they you have learned through practicing synthesis on commercials by reading two or three different articles and synthesizing their major themes. The articles discuss childhood obesity and you can connect them using the synthesis chart to bring together the major themes. Share your synthesis chart with the rest of the class.

• Article 1
• Article 2
• Article 3

Part V: Individual work - Synthesize Research Paper Sources

Now, based on what you have learned through practicing synthesis on articles, start practicing synthesis within your own research. Choose two of the research articles you have found for your research paper and write a brief synthesis in regards to their connection and relationship towards one another and the research paper.