Synthesis of Two Texts

Paper 2: Synthesis of Two Texts
Purpose: Through writing this paper, you will do the following:

Find a meaningful relationship between two texts;
Arrive at a deeper or new understanding of specific aspect, idea, or theme and of the texts through the process of synthesis.
In this paper, you will be synthesizing two texts, which can be 1) any two texts we have read this quarter OR 2) one text we have read this quarter and any other text of your choosing OR 3) two texts of your choosing (just be sure to provide links or copies of what those texts are when you turn your paper in).

A text can be:

an essay
a book
a piece of art
a song/album
a podcast
a news story/article
a movie
a television show
Choose two texts that have a meaningful connection to each other. You’ll need to ask yourself the following questions:

How does my understanding of Text A change my view of Text B? How does my understanding of Text B change my view of Text A?
What new awareness is gained from analyzing both texts together that wouldn’t be apparent if I’d analyzed only one text? (in other words, simply saying that both texts deal with the same topic or idea —here’s how Text A does it and here’s how Text B does it —is not quite synthesis yet. The similarities — or differences — in how the authors reveal the themes have to mean something.) I want to know what meaning you get from having read or experienced both texts. What do they mean to you?
I am purposely leaving this assignment fairly open-ended because I want to see what kind of connection you can make from your analysis of the texts.

Expectations: Your paper should be 2-4 pages, double spaced, in a font of your choosing with 1” margins. Think short and informal. You can easily communicate your ideas in 3-5 paragraphs (~ 750 words).

Steps to Beginning Your Paper:

Finding a connection: While our brains naturally make connections between ideas, it usually takes some close re-reading/re-viewing/re-listening to find a strong, or interesting, topic to explore in two texts. We will discuss this in class.
Composing a Thesis: To come up with your thesis, you’ll need to identify the connection between the two texts (a common topic, idea, or thread) and what that connection means for you. Instead of simply showing similarities and differences, how do the two texts speak to each other and what new understanding about the topic results from that analysis. This could be an application or significance in your life personally, a specific group of people, or everyone.
What is synthesis? What is its purpose?

According to The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary, synthesis is “the combination of separate elements into a complex whole” (664).

When you synthesize two or more texts, you find a meaningful connection between them. You create a dialogue between the texts, showing how they “speak” to one another. That dialogue results in a new and deeper understanding of the texts and of the idea that connects them. When you look at the ideas in one text alone, you focus only on your interpretation of that particular text. When analyzing multiple texts, you can see the ideas from a new perspective or find a new application.

How is synthesis different from compare and contrast?

In some ways, these two activities are similar. But think of synthesis as going beyond compare and contrast; in general, it is a more complex intellectual task. Instead of looking at two separate things and finding similarities or differences, you focus on how these two things (texts, in this case) actually work together to create a deeper understanding. A new idea is created out of two.

How should I organize a synthesis paper?

To maintain a strong connection between the texts throughout your paper, you are welcome to follow the general organizational pattern below, which should look familiar from our last paper. Make sure that you refer to both texts in at least one body paragraph. How do these two texts connect? Why is this important to you?

1. Introduction (introduce the idea, texts, the meaning you get from looking at these texts together)

2. First supporting point (which must relate to both texts)

– Illustrations from both texts and explanations of those examples

3. Second supporting point (which must relate to both texts)

– Illustrations from both texts and explanations of those examples

4. Third supporting point (which must relate to both texts)

– Illustrations from both texts and explanation of those examples

5. Conclusion

Important additions:

You are not required to have three supporting points; you may have more or less depending on your ideas. The number of points should be dictated by the content of your thesis, not by a formula.
Depending on the complexity and number of your supporting points, you may choose to write two paragraphs on the same point, dividing that point into sub-points.
Don’t feel that you need to devote equal time to both texts. Your thesis and the purpose of your synthesis should dictate how much time is spent on each text.

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