Reading Strategy: Synthesize

When you read more than one text about the same topic, you can compare the authors’ positions on the ideas. Reading more than one text gives you different viewpoints and information to help you draw your own conclusions.

Reading Strategy Synthesize
    How to Compare Across Texts

  • 1. Identify Similar Texts When you read something new, think about what else you have read on the same topic.

  • 2. Look for Opinions As you read, use a Comparison Chart to write down each writer’s opinion and supporting evidence.

  • 3. Draw Conclusions Use your notes to compare the writers’ opinions. Then draw your own conclusions about the topic.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student used more than one text to draw a conclusion.

Look Into the Text

from “Handle with Care”

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and use it when they make food. Increased deforestation means fewer trees. This adds to the buildup of carbon dioxide in the air and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Comparison Chart
“Handle with Care”“Melting Away”My Conclusion
Deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect.Cutting down trees drives temperatures higher.Many people think cutting down trees adds to global warming.
Look Into the Text

from “Melting Away”

When people cut down forests, more carbon dioxide hangs around in the atmosphere. That drives temperatures even higher.

Practice Together

As you read “Melting Away,” think about “Handle with Care.” Use a Comparison Chart to compare ideas and information across the texts and draw new conclusions. Follow the steps in the How-To box.