Learning Outcomes
You will:
- paraphrase and cite an idea from one article.
- discover the different methods of organizing your notes across articles.
- synthesize and cite an idea across multiple articles.
Paraphrasing Practice
Before you can synthesize across various articles, you may need to practice how to paraphrase an idea from a single article. Paraphrasing is much harder than using a direct quote, but it demonstrates your critical thinking ability and your understanding of the article's idea. Sometimes, an author says something better than we can, and in that case, it's fine to use a direct quote. Try not to over burden your paper with direct quotes. A literature review section should rely mostly on paraphrasing and synthesizing.
Use these handouts below to practice paraphrasing:
- APA Paraphrasing and Citation ActivitiesThis handout walks you through different levels of paraphrasing. It starts with paraphrasing one sentence and ends with paraphrasing multiple paragraphs. It also helps you practice how to cite when you paraphrase.
- Purdue OWL Paraphrasing ActivityThis activity gives you several passages for practicing paraphrasing.
Synthesizing Explained
Synthesizing is a method of analyzing the main ideas and important information from your sources as you read and prepare to write a literature review. Review the resources below for sample synthesizing methods. Both examples have tables you can fill out as you read articles to help you organize your thoughts.
- Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix: NC University Tutorial CenterThis method of synthesizing is idea-focused. You group articles based off of their main ideas as they relate to your topic.
- Matrix Example from the University of West Florida LibrariesThis method of synthesizing is article-focused. You break down the individual parts of each article.
Literature Reviews Explained
Use the articles below to learn about:
- what a literature review is
- how to select and research a topic
- how to write a literature review
Sample Literature Reviews
Make sure you follow any instructions from you professor on how to format your literature review! Use the examples below to get ideas for how you might write about the sources you found in your research.
- Synthesizing CornelsenThis article is included in "Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix" to illustrate synthesizing articles in the sample matrix.
- Synthesizing: BruleyThis article is included in "Writing a Literature Review and Using a Synthesis Matrix" to illustrate synthesizing articles in the sample matrix.
APA Help
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by ISBN: 9781433832161Publication Date: 2019-10-01This edition of of the APA Style manual is available at the service desk in the library.
- APA Website: CitationsFor more information on APA Style and the American Psychological Association please visit the APA website
