Synthesis means putting ideas from multiple sources together in one essay or presentation. After hearing about Dr. Scott's research on AIDS and Mr. Gonzalez's work with GALEO, choose one of these issues to research and develop into a 3 - 5 page paper (typed, double-spaced). Remember, your job in a synthesis paper is to integrate what you have heard/read; you are not presenting an argument, and you are not comparing/contrasting positions. Your job is to understand the broad stakes of your issue and to explain these in a well-organized and carefully supported essay.

To Begin:

1. Use your response paper to develop questions that you need to answer about your topic. What information do you so far have? What do you need to find out?
2. Use the links from our web site to begin reading about and developing a more in-depth understanding of your issue.
3. During your initial reading, take careful notes. Pay special attention to points that you either agree or disagree with (remember: if you have a strong reaction to something, either positive or negative, step back and self-critically interrogate this -- why do you have that reaction? What is the relationship between what you feel and what you think?) Also note points that you were not previously aware of, or that contradict what you previously believed. If you were misinformed or uninformed, how do you explain this?
4. From your preliminary reading and notes, extend your research (see links on syllabus for internet search strategies).
   • For this paper, which is introducing you to research methods, you are required to have:
     • 3 authoritative, credible internet sites
     • 3 authoritative, scholarly articles
5. Analyze your sources to identify the similarities and differences. Where do they agree? Where do they contradict? How do you explain contradictions? (This is very important: you must analyze your sources for bias.)
6. Select appropriate quotations from each text that make what you think are the major points you should address in your paper.
7. Works Cited Page and In-text quotations: (in-class workshop)