Final answer:
Synthesis involves combining elements from various sources to form new information, interpret meanings, and make connections. It is a critical thinking skill used to develop original arguments and integrate research into one's own writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
To synthesize means to combine different parts or elements to form new information or a new understanding of a topic. This process often involves integrating research, interpreting key points to make new meaning, and looking for connections between texts. Synthesis is a higher-order skill that entails combining bits and pieces of sources for a specific purpose, and it often requires complex reading and thinking skills. For instance, in academic writing, synthesizing material from various sources helps develop one's own arguments, beyond just summarizing the material. It's important to not let the sources override one's ideas but to use them as evidence to support one's thesis.