How to Create a Synthesis Page

A synthesis page is a place where you can creatively express an idea you have based on your reading inquiry!

It could be a web, map, chart, comic, diagram, list, or any combination of words and illustrations to help you notice patterns and make sense of the focus and evidence. Be creative! Also, use this as a way to help you explore your ideas about the text and develop ideas you will most likely use to write your next reading response.

What to include on your synthesis page:

•   focus: stated as a sentence, title, or an inquiry question such as "”What do the different settings in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian represent?”

•   textual evidence: relevant quotations that best support the focus

•   your thoughts (I think... because...), inferences (this shows that...), questions (Why... How...), connections (This reminds me of ... because...)

•   illustrations or colors to help you organize your thinking and notice patterns

For a synthesis page, you could:

·     *Unpack a few lines that all connect to one focus – see what ideas come up

·     *Make a double or triple mountain – Notice how this can help you think about author’s purpose

·     *Make a character sketch and include small details, relevant quotes, and your ideas about the character

·     *Make a theme trail that connects conflict, resolution, and theme, with some writing about the lessons or messages the author sends

·     *Analyze the archetypal characters and journeys in the book to analyze author’s purpose

·    *Think and sketch about symbolism in the text – how does it work?

·     *Sketch the setting and brainstorm about its important

·    *Create graphic organizers and charts to sort through thoughts

*  *Organize your post-its into categories and draw conclusions from your annotations

·      *Create Venn Diagrams to compare/contrast elements of the story

·       *Be creative, and don’t be afraid to try anything you come up with!

After you have created a synthesis page, state your new understandings; these are the very beginning drafts of claims/thesis statements.