Interactive image showing the parts of a scholarly article, with detailed descriptions of the purpose and content of each section.
How to Read a Scholarly Paper
So you've found all your sources. Now it's time to put it all together:
Make sure you have enough sources. Are all your questions answered? Can you think of any follow-up questions your reader may have? If you have read everything you can find on your topic, you're ready to synthesize your research.
Synthesis is making connections between the information you have found. This is the step that turns information or facts into knowledge or understanding.
You are attempting to summarize your sources, but also explain how they overlap and work together.
Use transitions such as agrees, disagrees, concurs, elaborates, clarifies, etc.
Be specific about how sources support your assertions or conclusions.
Cite sources carefully, using quotation marks and footnotes/parenthetical references when needed! For more information on citations, see the citing sources page on this guide.
