What have you learned about the research writing process?

If there is one thing I’ve learned from our synthesis essay it’s how ideas from different people can be combined into a whole. One exercise we did in class to help us grasp this concept was taking two random pieces that we had previously read and attempted to find commonalities between them and combine them in a way that helps you get your point across. In a group, we chose “How to Mark a Book” by Mortimer Adler and “Are too Many People Going to College” by Charles Murray. One may assume from reading the titles that these essays have little in common, and they’d be right! Initially, it was somewhat of a stretch to put them together but as we found the right talking points it seemed like they were made for each other.

Why are analysis, synthesis, and evaluation important to academic writing?

Analysis, synthesis, and evaluation are the backbone of academic writing. It all revolves around the age old concept of reading what somebody else had written and drawing your own conclusions. It’s what we do. It’s important that we analyze what others have said so that we internalize and comprehend what they mean. After some level of comprehension we are then able to apply these ideas in a new way through synthesis. This helps us form more round, clear and conclusive arguments about the subject matter on which we are able to judge, based on criteria, and choose the most effective solution.

How has your writing and critical thinking improved over the semester?

We’ve read many essays and written something about each one. I believe the number one boon to my writing skills has come through consistent practice and review. I’ve learned that there is so much more to be had from a piece when you dive into it with the purpose of absorbing all the knowledge you can so you can reformulate it into a summary, response, or a work of synthesis; effectively combining the material with your own or others’ ideas. This act of critical thinking is what makes your writing come alive. Writing about what you’re reading in your own words really forces you to not only pay attention but also to internalize the piece so you can sift through and communicate the knowledge in other applications.