If you’re writing a thesis or dissertation, you’ve probably been told that your literature review needs to do more than just summarise sources—it needs to synthesise them. But what exactly does that mean?
In simple terms, synthesising sources involves putting different pieces of research into conversation with one another. It’s not just about saying what each author said; it’s about comparing ideas, analysing relationships, spotting gaps, and building a narrative that supports your own research aims. It’s a skill that separates surface-level writing from academic thinking—and it’s absolutely essential in any well-written thesis.
Whether you’re reviewing previous research or discussing your findings in relation to the literature, synthesis helps demonstrate that you understand the bigger picture. It shows your reader that you’ve thought critically about your sources, not just collected them. And that’s exactly what your supervisor, examiner, and any academic audience wants to see.
In this article, we’ll break down what synthesis means, how it differs from summary, where and how to use it in your thesis, and how to write synthesis paragraphs that are clear, insightful, and academically rigorous.
🧾 Related reading: How to Write a Literature Review for a Thesis
📚 Also useful: How to Evaluate Source Credibility for Your Literature Review
Synthesis vs Summary: What’s the Difference?
Before you can write a strong synthesis, you need to understand how it differs from summarising. Many students assume they’re synthesising just because they’re discussing multiple sources—but if you’re simply stating what each author said, one after the other, you’re still summarising.
Summary: A Basic Description
When you summarise, you describe the main point of a source—what it says, what the study found, or what the author argued.
Example of Summary:
“Brown (2021) found that students who received personalised feedback performed better in assessments.”
This is useful, but on its own, it doesn’t show how that information fits into the wider body of knowledge.
Synthesis: Connecting and Comparing
When you synthesise, you combine information from multiple sources to highlight relationships, agreements, disagreements, trends, or gaps. It’s not about simply reporting what each person said, but analysing how those sources interact with each other—and with your research.
Example of Synthesis:
“Brown (2021) found that personalised feedback improved student performance, a conclusion echoed by Ali (2022), who observed similar effects in hybrid learning environments. However, Lee (2023) challenges this notion, arguing that feedback alone is insufficient without student reflection. This contrast highlights an ongoing debate around the role of feedback in learner engagement.”
This paragraph shows that the writer has read widely, thought critically, and is beginning to position their own argument in relation to the literature.
Think of it like this:
- Summary = What did each source say?
- Synthesis = How do these sources relate to each other, and to my research?
If your literature review reads like a list of book reports, it’s probably summary. If it weaves together ideas, identifies patterns, and engages with differing perspectives, you’re on the path to strong synthesis.
📘 Related: What Is a Peer Reviewed Article?
🧠 Also helpful: Types of Academic Sources
Where Do You Synthesise in a Thesis?
Synthesis isn’t confined to a single chapter in your thesis—it plays a vital role in multiple places, especially when you’re engaging with existing literature or relating it to your own findings. The most common places to synthesise are the literature review and the discussion chapter, but you’ll also find opportunities in your introduction, analysis, and even your conclusion.
1. In the Literature Review
This is the most obvious home for synthesis. Your literature review should not be a shopping list of what other researchers said—it should be a critical conversation between scholars. Here, you use synthesis to show:
- How research has evolved over time
- Where scholars agree and disagree
- What gaps exist in the literature
- How your research builds on, challenges, or fills those gaps
Instead of writing a paragraph about each source individually, group them by theme, perspective, or methodology and compare their approaches and findings.
2. In the Discussion Chapter
Once you’ve presented your results, you’ll need to interpret them—and this means putting your findings in dialogue with existing research. Here, synthesis helps you:
- Show how your findings align (or clash) with prior studies
- Compare your results with established theories or models
- Build arguments about what your data contributes to the field
Tip: Use synthesis here to position your research—demonstrating where it fits in the academic conversation.
🧠 See also: How to Write a Discussion Chapter
3. In Thematic and Analytical Sections
If you’re using thematic analysis (e.g., via Braun & Clarke’s Six-Phase Framework), synthesis is also essential when discussing patterns across data or when comparing findings across cases.
By referencing theory and literature within your themes, you’re synthesising existing knowledge with your own interpretation.
4. Occasionally in the Introduction and Conclusion
In your thesis introduction, you might synthesise briefly to set the stage and show why your study is needed. In your thesis conclusion, synthesis helps summarise how your work contributes to the wider field, without repeating content from earlier chapters.
In all of these sections, synthesis demonstrates academic maturity. It shows your ability to engage, critique, and contribute to scholarly conversations—exactly what examiners are looking for.
How to Synthesize Sources: Step-by-Step Guide
Synthesis might sound like a lofty academic skill, but at its core, it’s a methodical process. With the right steps, you can learn how to organise your sources, identify connections, and write analytical paragraphs that impress your supervisor and examiners alike.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Group Your Sources by Theme, Topic, or Argument
Before you can compare sources, you need to organise them meaningfully. Read through your materials and group studies or texts that deal with the same topic, perspective, or problem.
You might use a:
- Synthesis matrix or comparison table
- Colour-coded highlights or sticky notes
- Literature review software like Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley
Focus on questions like:
- Who agrees?
- Who disagrees?
- Who used a different method or reached a different conclusion?
- What’s missing across these sources?
Step 2: Identify Patterns and Relationships
Once you’ve grouped your sources, look for trends, contradictions, or evolution of thought across the literature.
Ask yourself:
- Do several studies come to the same conclusion?
- Has thinking on this topic changed over time?
- Is there a gap that no one has explored?
- Are some sources more credible or recent than others?
This is where you begin thinking critically rather than just reporting what others have said.
Step 3: Start Writing Using Synthesis Structures
Now that you’ve found connections, it’s time to express them clearly. Avoid structuring your paragraph like this:
“Smith (2020) says X. Jones (2021) also says X. Brown (2022) says Y.”
Instead, bring the sources together in a single idea-driven paragraph. Try sentence structures like:
- “Several researchers agree that…”
- “While Smith (2020) argues X, this is challenged by Jones (2021), who found Y…”
- “These contrasting perspectives reveal ongoing debate about…”
- “This emerging consensus highlights a shift in understanding from A to B…”
These sentence openers help you maintain your voice while showing how others have contributed.
Step 4: Relate the Synthesis to Your Thesis Question
The goal of synthesis isn’t just to compare sources—it’s to build an argument. Always tie the connections you’re making back to the purpose of your thesis.
Ask yourself:
- How does this debate support or challenge your research aim?
- Does this pattern justify your methodology?
- What does the gap in the literature say about your contribution?
Example Mini-Synthesis:
While early research on online learning focused heavily on accessibility (Taylor, 2018; Mendes, 2019), more recent studies have shifted toward exploring emotional engagement and motivation (Lee, 2021; Grant & Silva, 2022). However, there is still limited exploration of how asynchronous feedback affects student motivation—a gap this thesis aims to address.
This short paragraph combines multiple sources, identifies a trend, highlights a gap, and links it directly to the author’s research—exactly what effective synthesis looks like.
Language for Synthesising Sources
Writing synthesis isn’t just about having great insights—it’s about expressing them clearly and persuasively. That means using the right language to highlight relationships between sources, compare arguments, and connect evidence to your overall thesis.
Below are some practical sentence structures and linking phrases that can help you write with fluency and authority when synthesising sources in your literature review, analysis, or discussion chapters.
To Show Agreement
Use these when multiple sources share similar findings, perspectives, or conclusions.
- “Several researchers agree that…”
- “A consistent finding across the literature is…”
- “This view is supported by both Smith (2020) and Ali (2021), who argue that…”
- “Brown (2019) and Jones (2020) draw similar conclusions, suggesting that…”
To Show Contrast or Disagreement
Use when authors have opposing viewpoints or results.
- “While Taylor (2018) suggests that X, Mendes (2020) argues that Y…”
- “In contrast to previous studies, which found A, recent research by Lee (2022) indicates B.”
- “Although there is broad agreement on X, scholars disagree on how it should be applied.”
- “There remains significant debate around…”
To Show Change or Development Over Time
Useful for showing how understanding or approaches have evolved.
- “Earlier studies focused primarily on…, whereas recent research has shifted toward…”
- “Over the past decade, attention has moved from X to Y…”
- “Recent literature builds on the foundational work of…”
To Connect to Your Own Research
These phrases help position your study within the conversation.
- “Despite these insights, few studies have examined…”
- “These contrasting views highlight the need for further exploration, which this thesis addresses.”
- “This body of work provides the foundation for the current study, which aims to…”
- “Building on this literature, the present research explores…”
Tip: Avoid Repeating the Same Verbs
Mix up your reporting verbs to keep your writing dynamic and precise. Here are some useful options:
- Argues, claims, suggests, proposes, contends (when introducing an author’s position)
- Highlights, emphasises, demonstrates, shows (when referring to evidence)
- Disputes, challenges, critiques (when presenting disagreement or critique)
📘 Related: What Is Signposting Language?
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Synthesising Sources
Even when students understand what synthesis means in theory, they often stumble when trying to put it into practice. Let’s look at some of the most common pitfalls—and how to avoid them—so you can write a literature review or discussion chapter that’s polished, persuasive, and genuinely analytical.
1. Listing Sources Without Connecting Them
This is one of the biggest synthesis mistakes: writing a paragraph that simply names one source after another without drawing meaningful links between them.
Example of synthesis without meaningful links:
“Smith (2020) found that teacher feedback improved performance. Jones (2021) found that feedback helped with motivation. Lee (2022) said feedback was important for engagement.”
Each statement is isolated. There’s no analysis, comparison, or narrative. It reads like a bibliography, not an argument.
Fix it:
Group these findings and relate them:
“Research consistently highlights the importance of feedback in student performance and engagement (Smith, 2020; Jones, 2021; Lee, 2022), with recent studies expanding its role to include motivation.”
2. Over-relying on a Single Source
Even if a study is excellent, leaning too heavily on one author makes your work seem unbalanced. It also suggests you haven’t read widely.
Fix it:
Use multiple sources to back up key points. Show a range of perspectives. This not only strengthens your credibility but also demonstrates your ability to think critically about the field.
3. Forgetting to Include Your Own Voice
It’s easy to get lost in the literature and let the voices of others dominate your writing. But your thesis isn’t just a collection of what others have said—it’s your interpretation of what matters and why.
Fix it:
Step back regularly and add commentary:
“These conflicting findings highlight the complexity of the issue and suggest that a more nuanced approach is needed—something this study aims to explore.”
4. Confusing Synthesis with Summary
We covered this earlier, but it’s worth repeating: summarising what each source says is not synthesis unless you draw connections, compare findings, or build a case.
Fix it:
Ask yourself after each paragraph:
- Have I connected multiple sources?
- Have I explained why this information matters?
- Have I linked it back to my thesis topic?
If the answer is no, you’re still summarising.
5. Failing to Link Back to Your Research Question
Synthesis without purpose is just noise. If you don’t make it clear how the patterns or debates relate to your research, your reader will lose sight of your argument.
Fix it:
End synthesis paragraphs by tying them to your research gap, aim, or methodology. This keeps your writing focused and meaningful.
✍️ Need help pulling it all together? Our Thesis Proofreading Services can help ensure your literature review is clear, cohesive, and convincingly structured.
Sample Synthesis Paragraph
Understanding the theory behind synthesis is one thing—seeing it in action is another. Below is an example of a synthesis paragraph in a thesis literature review, followed by a breakdown of what makes it effective.
Example Paragraph (Well-Synthesised)
Recent studies emphasise the growing importance of feedback in online learning environments, particularly in maintaining student motivation and engagement. Smith (2020) found that regular instructor feedback increased participation rates in asynchronous courses, while Jones (2021) observed improved retention in students who received personalised feedback. However, Lee (2022) cautioned that overly detailed feedback can overwhelm learners, especially when not paired with guidance on how to implement it. This range of findings suggests that while feedback is essential, its effectiveness depends on both the quality and context in which it is delivered. These perspectives highlight the need to explore not only the frequency but also the delivery method of feedback in online learning—an area this thesis seeks to investigate.
Why It Works
- Point: The paragraph opens with a thematic focus—the role of feedback in online learning.
- Evidence: Multiple sources are presented and compared (Smith, Jones, Lee) to show both agreement and nuance.
- Explanation: The paragraph doesn’t just describe findings; it analyses the implications and conditions under which feedback works.
- Link: It closes with a direct connection to the current research, setting up the rationale for the study.
See our article on the PEEL framework for more help.
In contrast, here’s a weak version (just summary):
Smith (2020) found that feedback improved engagement. Jones (2021) also found that it improved retention. Lee (2022) said that too much feedback could overwhelm students. These studies show that feedback is important.
This version:
- Merely lists what each author found
- Lacks comparison, analysis, or insight
- Does not connect to the author’s own research
📘 Related reading: Can I Use First Person in My Thesis? — Learn how to make your own voice heard without breaking academic conventions.
Synthesis Is What Makes Your Thesis a Conversation
Synthesis isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a core skill that sets strong academic writing apart from surface-level summaries. When you synthesise sources effectively, you’re doing more than reporting what others have said; you’re positioning yourself within the academic conversation, demonstrating critical thinking, and building the foundation for your own argument.
Whether you’re writing a literature review, a discussion chapter, or framing your findings within existing theories, synthesis helps you make sense of the research landscape and communicate your insights clearly. It shows examiners that you understand your field—and that your research matters within it.
Like any skill, synthesis improves with practice. Start small, use the strategies and sentence structures from this guide, and don’t be afraid to revise your paragraphs until they truly flow.
✍️ Struggling to bring it all together? Our Thesis Proofreading Services are here to help you sharpen your structure, refine your synthesis, and polish your writing—so your hard work gets the recognition it deserves.