Analysis and Synthesis in Research Writing

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Analysis and synthesis are opposite processes that work together to create strong research writing.

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Bridging Analysis and Synthesis in Research Writing

Analysis and synthesis are opposite processes. An analysis is breaking an argument down into its components and evaluating its logic. Synthesis involves finding connections and links and evaluating their significance. These opposite processes work together. Without an accurate analysis of a paper’s argument, the synthesis of ideas and themes with multiple papers will be incorrect. We can use language as a bridge between analysis and synthesis, including verbs (Table 1), phrases, and sentences frames (Table 2).

Table 1. Verbs that bridge analysis and synthesis

Verbs for making a claim		Verbs for expressing agreement
Argue Assert Believe Claim Emphasize	Insist Observe Remind Report Suggest	acknowledge admire agree celebrate corroborate corresponds	endorse extol praise reaffirm support verify
Verbs for making recommendations		Verbs for expressing disagreement
Advocate call for demand encourage exhort	implore  plead recommend urge warn	complain complicate contend contradict deny deplore	disavow question refute reject renounce repudiate

Table 2. Phrase and sentence frames for talking about two sources (APA)

Phrases for explaining

Basically, Silva (2018) is saying__________.  Silva (2018) argues that ________________.

In other words, Silva (2018) observes______.  Silva (2018) claims that ________________.

By offering this implication, Silva (2018)___.   The essence of Silva’s (2018) argument is __.

Sentences frames for synthesis

Silva’s (2018) primary claim is __________. Basically, Silva (2018) is saying__________. Harim (2020) corroborates this finding with __________. However, Harim (2020) complicates this finding with _________.