1. Synthesizing the Literature
Objectives:
Differentiate between summary and synthesis
Examine writing skills associated with synthesizing information for literature reviews
Evaluate peer-reviewed scholarship to establish if it is germane to a research question
Integrate disparate information into a cohesive narrative
Recognize the qualities of sound social science writing
Activities:
Welcome and Overview (5 min.)
Synthesis Presentation Q&A (15 min.)
Hands-On Activity, Part 1: Summarize (15 min.)
Hands-On Activity, Part 2: Synthesize (15 min.)
Wrap-Up and Next Steps (10 min.)

2. Video and Presentation Debrief
Recall the following questions you considered while watching the seminar videos:
What is synthesis?
What differentiates synthesis from summary?
Why is synthesis important to doctoral-level writing?
How does the concept of synthesis apply to the literature review?

3. Article Excerpt Groups
Take a few minutes to read all the excerpts and consider how to summarize each of them
Break into groups A, B and C
Focus on the article that matches your group designation

4. Small Group Activity
Describe with a one-sentence summary what your excerpt is about
What possible dissertation title would trigger you to read your assigned article?

5. Wrap-Up and Next Steps
Consider one insight with regard to synthesis and the literature review
Remember to critically examine what you read, think, write