Writing: Complex Text Types C1
Lesson 13: Synthesizing Information: Writing a Literature Review
Before You Start: C1 Core Concepts 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
A literature review uses very specific academic language.
What is a Literature Review? (And What It Isn't)
A literature review is NOT a list of summaries (e.g., "Sok (2020) said... Then, Chan (2021) said..."). This is a "weak" summary.
A literature review IS a "conversation" between authors, organized by you. You group authors who discuss the same theme or idea. This is synthesis.
WEAK Summary (B1/B2 Level)
Topic: Social Media & Youth
"Sok (2020) argues that social media causes anxiety in teens. Chan (2021) found that social media helps teens make friends. Nary (2022) says that it depends on the platform..."
STRONG Synthesis (C1/C2 Level)
Theme: Impact on Mental Health
"The academic discourse on social media's impact on teen mental health is divided. Several scholars argue for a direct negative link, citing issues like anxiety (Sok, 2020) and poor sleep (Thy, 2019). In contrast, another group of researchers suggests the impact is contingent on the platform, arguing that it can foster positive connections (Chan, 2021) and provide support (Nary, 2022)...."
How to Structure Your Synthesis Paragraph
A C1 literature review is built with "theme-based" paragraphs. Each paragraph discusses one idea, not one author.
Start with a topic sentence that states the main idea or debate of the paragraph.
- "One major theme in the literature is..."
- "A point of consensus among researchers is that..."
- "There is significant debate regarding..."
Group authors who agree or disagree. Use reporting verbs.
- "Several studies highlight..." (Sok, 2020; Chan, 2021).
- "This finding is supported by..." (Nary, 2022).
- "Conversely, Dara (2023) posits that..."
End with *your* voice. What does this all mean? What is missing?
- "This suggests that..."
- "Therefore, the research indicates..."
- "What remains unclear, however, is..."
Powerful Language for Synthesis (Click 🔊)
Use these verbs to sound more academic than just "says".
- To argue for an idea:
argues,asserts,maintains,posits,contends - To show or find something:
highlights,demonstrates,illustrates,reveals - To disagree:
challenges,critiques,refutes,counters
Practice Your C1 Analysis 🎯
Quiz: Identify Synthesis vs. Summary
Read the sentences below. Which one is "Weak Summary" and which is "Strong Synthesis"?
Sentence A: "A 2018 study on remote work found that employees were 20% more productive. A 2020 study argued that remote work led to isolation."
Sentence B: "The discourse on remote work is complex, balancing proven productivity gains (Smith, 2018) against the significant risks of employee isolation (Jones, 2020)."
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Synthesis
Combining multiple ideas from different texts to create a new, original understanding.
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Literature
In this context, all the academic books, articles, and studies written on a specific topic.
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Consensus
A general agreement among a group of experts. (e.g., "There is a consensus that...")
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Discourse
The written or spoken debate about a topic (e.g., "The academic discourse on AI...").
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To Posit
To put forward an idea or argument. (e.g., "He posits that..."). A C1 word for "say" or "argue".
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Conversely
A connector word used to introduce an opposing idea. (e.g., "Sok agrees. Conversely, Dara disagrees.").
Your Writing Mission ⭐
Write Your First Synthesis Paragraph
Your mission is to write one C1-level synthesis paragraph. Use the imaginary sources provided below.
Topic: The value of homework for high school students.
- Source 1 (Kim, 2020): Argues homework is essential for building discipline.
- Source 2 (Chen, 2021): Argues homework causes burnout and stress.
- Source 3 (Lee, 2022): Claims that *project-based* homework is beneficial, but *repetitive* homework is harmful.
Your Task: Write one paragraph that synthesizes all three authors to find a more nuanced conclusion. Do NOT just list them. Use the 3-step structure: Introduce Theme, Present Evidence, Analyze & Conclude.