What is a Synthesis?

Synthesis is the incorporation of ideas from various sources into text with as little idiosyncrasies possible. Synthesis is highly important to the writing process because it allows for an established and apparent reinforcement of statements made throughout a text. An effective synthesis allows for helps the audience better understand the authors perspective through complimenting views from other sources. The process of synthesizing is important for every author to grasp and use effectively if they expect to take their writing to the next level. The first step of synthesis is finding the right places to incorporate it. If a quote feels out of place it often makes the writing clunky and if the quote is not quite flowing it adds a choppy feel to the text. Once incorporated into the text it is important that whatever is synthesized is relevant to the larger point of the text. If something is synthesized with no coherent connection to the larger point then there is no relevance in it being utilized in the first place. Finally, the synthesis must not play too heavy a role within the text. If the synthesis outweighs the writer’s words then it is not really a synthesis at all. In relation to the two documents I read synthesis is obviously key. The New York Times article on Graham provides various examples which can easily be synthesized due to its fluid structure. One problem with the article though, is that it often goes for paragraphs without providing any relevant information. Steve Jobs interview with playboy is not quite as easy to synthesize. While the opening few paragraphs provide a rich backstory to jobs his actual interview as not quite as fluid. Still, the interview has numerous occasions where Jobs insight provides for brilliant synthesis.