Synthesising Identify supporting ideas and contradictory ideas. Check the grouping of ideas? Synthesis is how you integrate and combine materials gathered to create something new. You bring together and comparing/contrasting two or more sources of information

Identify similar and contradictory arguments. Group these together they develop/support for your arguments. Cite references appropriately Find your own voice: Develop your own distinctive style, Formulate your own opinions, Adapt a critical stance: this is taking your view or perspective on things

Analysis Analyse the information Establish its soundness Comment on it to add clarity and insight All your views must be well informed, balanced and unbiased

Steps in the process of synthesising There are four basic steps in the process of synthesis: 1. sort 2. label 3. structure 4. Develop

Sort Group similar pieces of information together. Keep on checking your assignment or question. Consider any directive words and what you are being asked- Arrange the major themes Support each main purpose with a detail Note the Logic and critical points

2. Label Consider information that relates to the same theme Label it. Integrate into one paragraph all the sources labelled with the same theme.

3. Structure Structure your information according to the categories and themes you identified in step one. Create an outline and ensure the information progresses in a logical order. Identify gaps in your information which you can look into further. Exercise: develop one main idea on the topic of loss of income through traffic jam

4. Developing your ideas Generate new ideas Draw conclusions based on the information you have read. Organise these new ideas into a logical sequence, Introduce the original idea Developing it and Draw new conclusions

Look at your notes and identify similar and contradictory arguments. Group these together to develop / support your arguments. Cite references appropriately

Synthesis Supporting the contention that English is the dominant world language, Watson (2011) and Lui (2011) point out its importance as the medium of international communication in business, technology and other global forums. However others argue that despite its apparent dominance, English is not the global language when the number of native speakers of other languages e.g. Chinese are considered (Hanna 2009, Dowd 2011) Borrowed from sising-0

Introduction When to write it For longer pieces after finishing The body: Paragraphs and topic sentences A new paragraph for every new idea *Discuss the obstacles to free trade with the third world and how, in your view, they might be overcome.

Developing the body Main and supporting ideas Main idea – Supporting idea 1 example – Supporting idea 2 – Supporting idea 3 Example 1 Example 2

Main idea 2 – Supporting idea 1 – Supporting idea 2 Example

Main idea 3 – Supporting idea 1 Example example – Supporting idea 2 – Supporting idea 3 example – Supporting idea 4 example

Summary and conclusion Summary is a brief restatement of the main points of your section, chapter, essay Reminds the reader of what has been covered Keeps reade on track of the main points Helps make connection between what you have already said and what you are about to say Builds links or bridges between different parts of your writing For a research report, a summary is required at the end of every section

Writing a summary We might summarise the main points as follows:... The key points discussed so far are as follows:… This chapter has looked at a number of theories on… In summary the argument is as follows:…

Example This chapter has looked at a number of advantages associated with the out-of town suburburn location of offices. In particular, it identified lower rates… Murray& Hughes 2008/2009

Conclusion It is very important Unlike summary, it considers the information then comments on it Therefore makes original statements in light of information presented earlier Links back to the title or thesis statement Brings everything full circle Shows the relevance or significance of the information presented

Key functions Defining—concerned with meaning: Example: stagflation describes a situation (category) where high unemployment exist at a time of poor economic growth (distinguishing characteristics)

Describing Takes many forms Can be to explain how to do… How to make something… How to conduct an experiment… Process description describes the methodology… Can involve describing different elements of which something is composed…

Comparing and contrasting looks at similarities and differences Methods: 1.Point by point comparison example: Private law is concerned with the relationships of ordinary persons in every day transactions (point A). Public law on the other hand, is concerned with…

Method 2: Similarities and differences First discuss similarities Then discuss differences Example: Similarities between restaurant A and B Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 …etc.

Differences between restaurant A and B Point 1 Point 2 Point 3… etc

Method 3 Item by item comparison Various points for each item Item 1 Point A Point 2 Point 3 Point 4

Item 2 Point 1 Point 2 Point 3

Words and phrases associated with comparison and contrast Similarly In the same way… Likewise… Contrasts In contrast… Unlike…

classifying Breaking topic into more manageable chunks Helps to define the areas more clearly Example: Rainfall can be classified into three types The first is cyclonic... The second type is convectional rainfall… The final type of rainfall is relief……

Explaining causes and effects Explains why things happen Discuss all the causes first and then discuss the effects in separate paragraphs Mention cause separately and then discuss its effects in the same or following paragraphs Explain the method you use to the reader

Developing an argument See notes on arguments

Cause--- what produces something and effect--- looks at the result Argument Analysis and synthesis

Can describe a sequence of events