Synthesizing Information

In Grade 8, you move beyond simple summarizing. While a summary tells you what one source said, synthesis is the process of combining ideas from multiple sources to create a new, cohesive understanding. Think of it like making a smoothie: a summary is just a bowl of separate fruits, but a synthesis is the blended result where the flavors create something entirely new. To synthesize effectively, you must look for relationships between sources. Do they agree? Do they contradict each other? Or does one provide a specific example of a general rule mentioned in another?

When dealing with three or more sources, your brain can get overwhelmed. This is where a synthesis matrix helps. A matrix is a chart that allows you to track key themes across different texts. You list your sources along the side (rows) and the main ideas or 'talking points' along the top (columns). By filling in the grid, you can easily see where authors overlap or where a 'gap' exists in the research. This visual tool ensures you don't miss the 'big picture' while getting lost in the details of individual articles.

Synthesis isn't just for written text. In the modern world, you must integrate multimedia. This means combining a written report with a podcast, an infographic, or a video. When synthesizing different media, pay attention to the unique strengths of each. A text might provide deep historical data, while a video might show the emotional impact through music and visuals. To integrate them, use transition words like similarly, conversely, or furthermore to bridge the gap between what you read and what you saw.