One synthesis it is a text which proposes to present another text in a summarized and impersonal way. the synthesis can summarize not just verbal texts as well as paintings, films, images, graphics, etc. Its structure presents an introduction, development and conclusion, in addition to some specific characteristics to each text, such as the argumentative, critical or explanatory character. Despite being similar to a summary, the synthesis has a different structure and function.
Read more: Review - textual genre characterized by exposing the reader's perceptions about a work
What is a synthesis?
The synthesis is a textual genre which proposes to identify key information of a basic text, to re-present it in a summarized and objective way. The work of this text presupposes a carefully elaborated activity that aims, before writing, to make a more thorough analysis. depth of the base text, seeking, in addition to understanding its information, to analyze its structure and how its parts combine.
Yours language must be objective and impersonal, avoiding personal opinions, information on other topics and direct transcriptions of the text. The synthesis should focus on presenting, in a condensed way, the relevant information for the analysis carried out. In addition, the synthesis is not restricted to summarizing written texts, it is possible to present summaries of tables, graphs, images, etc.
Structure of an overview
The synthesis has a pretty flexible structure, as it does not need to follow the structure of the basic text, however, it must be divided into introduction, development and conclusion. Each of the parts has a basic text presentation function.
At introduction, the synthesized source must be referenced, especially the theme and author. It is time to present the subject to be approached and, consequently, synthesized, as well as indicating who is the author of the base text and its main characteristics and relationships with the subject.
O development it's time to indicate the nuclear affairs, reveal the possible intentions of the author, present and analyze the connection strategies between the parts of the text. Depending on the purpose of the synthesis, the author may privilege one or another aspect of his source, in addition, the analysis may be more descriptive or argumentative, but always with the use of impersonal language.
Finally, the conclusion closes the previous discussions and explanations, and makes the last connections necessary to finish the matter, adding to this part the last considerations regarding the base text.
Example of a text summary
Little Red Riding Hood is the story of a girl who lives in a forest with her mother and who, one day, goes, for the first time, to her grandmother's house alone. Because she has to cross the forest, the girl comes across a wolf, which deceives her and arrives first at her grandmother's house, swallowing her to deceive and devour the poor child, too. Little Riding Hood is saved by a hunter, who hears her cries and kills the wolf. The fairy tale teaches about the dangers of adult life as well as alerts to the need to obey parents, serving as a role model for children.
The previous synthesis concerns the famous story of Little Red Riding Hood. It is noticed that the text condenses the main information, so that you know everything that happens in the story, without an attachment to details. In addition, there is a critical reading about the role of the fairy tale in early childhood education.
See too: Narrative chronicle - genre marked by brief actions, with determined time and space
Step by step of how to make a synthesis
To make a good synthesis, it is necessary to understand that in this type of text there is a strong relationship between reading and writing, this is because it summarizes a previous text, so it is necessary to carry out a deep reading of the reference text, seeking not only to understand its superficial message but also its intentional structuring, arguments, strategies, innovations and references.
With this reading of the basic text, it is important to make records with the topics highlighted, in addition to pertinent observations, everything so that, at the time of writing, there is a repertoire. Then, after this first step, the author can dedicate himself to synthesizing the text.
First, one must analyze the really pertinent information for the purpose of the synthesis, seeking to present them in a short and objective way. The size of the synthesis is a fundamental characteristic, so all kinds of unnecessary information should be avoided. Then, you can start with a brief presentation of the central aspects of the work and its author.
In development, you should make use of highlighted observations considered pertinent, presenting them briefly. Depending on the type of synthesis, it is possible to present arguments, descriptions or explanations about the analyzed work. In conclusion, it is time to “tie up” the ideas presented above, adding, if possible, the last considerations about the base text.
Synthesis Types
One can speak of at least three types of syntheses:
- argumentative
- criticism
- explanatory
A brief explanation of each follows:
- Argumentative Synthesis: presents a certain thesis on the basic text, and, in this case, the information will be logically organized, seeking to highlight and defend its point of view, without the use of personal language.
- critical synthesis: can be coupled with argumentative synthesis, and aims to discuss ideas, information or characteristics of the base text, using, if necessary, safe fonts to support the analyses.
- explanatory summary: focuses on helping readers understand the basic text, thus, the author uses explanations to mediate this understanding. Unlike other types, this synthesis neither presents nor defends a point of view.
What is the difference between summary and summary?
Synthesis and summary are commonly confused genres, as both have basic characteristics in common, such as the synthesis of information and a basic text. However, when studying them more deeply, it is possible to find structural and functional differences between the genders.
O abstract is a more informative text and its form is structured in the same way as the base text, its main purpose is to condense the central information of the analyzed work. Following this logic, the abstract focuses only on facilitating the understanding of the message existing in the other text, without considering or highlighting aspects. In addition, the summary can only dwell on a verbal text.
THE synthesis, on the other hand, has a more contextual and/or subjective character., because, in addition to considering the central information of the base text, it considers the information deemed relevant for the purpose of the synthesis in question. In this way, it is possible to disregard relevant information from the base text, but which is not necessarily relevant for the synthesis.
Furthermore, the synthesis has a greater scope, given that can target different textual genres, such as painting, graphics, images, of which the author, in addition to describing them, can analyze the functional and/or aesthetic structure.
By Talliandre Matos
Writing Teacher
