Thinking of Sources as People

It is important to acknowledge that sources are people rather than thinking of sources as things. Do not fall into the mindset of thinking of a source as an “it” and writing “This study claims …” or “In this article it says …” Instead, refer to your sources by their names—the authors’ names, that is. You should introduce each source by full name the first time in your essay and then refer to your source by last name thereafter.

To reiterate the point that sources are people, let’s try an example using music mega-star Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift is a human being, she is not a “thing,” so you would probably never say:

In “Cardigan,” it sings, “You put me on and said I was your favorite.”

You would probably say something like:

In “Cardigan,” Taylor Swift sings, “You put me on and said I was your favorite.”

Figures 12-14: Don’t be a Scooter. Give your sources credit for their intellectual and artistic property.

Follow the same practice when writing about academic sources. The articles, scientific studies, and editorials you are referencing were written by human beings, so think of your sources as people rather than things, and acknowledge the authors’ names in your writing.

Instead of writing:

The article says that the Cleveland Browns are favored to defeat the Steelers in Sunday’s game (Cabot).

You should write:

Mary Kay Cabot says that the Cleveland Browns are favored to defeat the Steelers in         Sunday’s game.

An even stronger approach to integrating sources would provide information about the source:

In her most recent article for The Plain Dealer, Browns beatwriter and analyst Mary Kay Cabot says that Cleveland is favored to defeat the Steelers in Sunday’s game (par. 2).

When we keep in mind that sources are people, integrating sources into our academic writing becomes significantly easier.

Handling Sources Capably: Narrative In-Text Citations and Attributive Tags/Signal Phrases

Writing about sources by acknowledging the authors’ names not only makes the writing easier; it’s also the rule. According to MLA guidelines, each source should be introduced by full name from the first point of borrowing in the paper. This is called a “narrative in-text citation.”

When you continue to borrow from the same source throughout a paragraph, you indicate that to the readers by including attributive tags (also known as signal phrases), which often include the author’s last name, in each sentence. Attribution is on a sentence-by-sentence basis.

When you write attributive tags, choose the verbs that best indicate how you are using that source within your paper.

Verb Choice and Attributive Tags/Signal Phrases and Synthesis at the Sentence-level

The previous section introduces you to the idea of synthesis as conversation, and you are given a definition of synthesis throughout this chapter, but how do you indicate synthesis in your writing? When you synthesize, you are responding to the voices and ideas of others, so you should be as flexible in your written response to them as you would be in a verbal response to those you were having a discussion with about a complex topic. Primarily, your synthesis will indicate agreement or disagreement with your sources, but it may also recognize patterns of thinking, errors in logic, or the omission of important points—whatever it is you are adding to the conversation

Because synthesis requires you to analyze the position of each source, you must use an appropriate verb when introducing a source or making subsequent references to it. The following verbs are helpful in noting an author’s stance:

For sources that make an argument, you might say that the author affirms, argues, confirms, shows, contends, denies, disagrees, believes, concedes, insists, rejects, responds, or points out.

For sources that are research-driven, you can say that the author adds, hypothesizes, indicates, discovers, reveals, states, mentions, finds, or verifies.

For sources that take a particular stance or place emphasis, you might say the author alleges, warns, advises, determines, admits, interprets, complains, holds, predicts, proposes, acknowledges, speculates, suggests, or emphasizes.

For setting authors in conversation with each other, you might say one: contradicts, sheds light, asserts, doubts, implies, objects, or emphasizes.

Examples of Sentence Constructions that Demonstrate Synthesis

In addition to word choice suggestions, here are some examples of how to structure your sentences, depending on your goal in synthesizing.

Synthesis that adds to the conversation

• While most of the experts on topic X see overfishing as the primary cause of species        depletion, only Source D acknowledges that there may be other, environmental causes.
• When I began writing about topic X, I expected to learn reason Y. To my surprise, none         of the sources address this reason, which leads me to believe that …
• Because Source A is the expert in the field of topic X, most others writing about X             accede to A’s authority, but a closer examination of A’s evidence reveals an important    omission about X.

Synthesis that indicates agreement

• Source A asserts that… Source B agrees when he or she states…
• According to both A & B…
• The combined conclusions of sources B & C seem to indicate that…
• The evidence shows that…
• Source B is correct that…
• Source C makes a convincing case when she argues…
• I agree with Source A’s conclusion that…

Synthesis that indicates disagreement

• Source A asserts that…, yet Source B offers a different perspective by…
• Sources C & B would likely disagree regarding…
• My view, however, contrary to what Source A has argued, is…
• I argue that X & Y are the best solution; however, Source B offers a different option.
• I would like to offer some objections to the opinions expressed by source C…
• While source A makes an intriguing argument, I would disagree that …

What the above examples indicate is that synthesis is the careful weaving in of others’ voices in order to show your reader the many ideas and arguments on your topic and further assert your own. Notice, too, that the above examples are also attributive tags/signal phrases. You are working with multiple sources, so it is important to make it clear to your audience what information is taken from which of your sources.

Verb Tense

Whether you speak about a source in present or past tense depends on the academic citation style required by your instructor.

MLA requires you to use the present tense when referencing sources:

• Shakespeare says …
• Washington argues …

However, APA requires use of the past tense:

• Shakespeare said ….
• Washington argued …

Be sure to make note of these differences and to choose the appropriate verb tense for the assignment.

Checking Your Source Use

When checking your use of courses, remember to

• Include quotation marks around any words directly taken from a source. Do not patch-write or half-copy.
• Format in-text parenthetical citations according to MLA guidelines so that the in-text parenthetical citation includes the page number (and author’s last name where necessary). Not only is this is the rule when information is directly quoted; it is also the rule when information is summarized or paraphrased.

Continue Reading: 17.5 Informative Synthesis