# The Sheridan Libraries

**Source**: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/synthesize
**Parent**: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review

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# Write a Literature Review

Take a step-by-step approach to writing a lit review.

- [START HERE](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/c.php?g=388754&p=8804148)
- [Evaluate
  *This link opens in a new window*](http://guides.library.jhu.edu/evaluate)
- [Summarize](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/summarize)
- [Synthesize](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/synthesize)
- [Integrate](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/integrate)

## Get Organized

- [Lit Review Prep](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/ld.php?content_id=16162488)

  Use this template to help you evaluate your sources, create article summaries for an annotated bibliography, and a synthesis matrix for your lit review outline.

## Synthesize your Information

> Synthesize: combine separate elements to form a whole.

## Synthesis Matrix

- [Definition](#s-lib-ctab-8056592-0)
- [Examples](#s-lib-ctab-8056592-1)

A synthesis matrix helps you record the main points of each source and document how sources relate to each other.

After summarizing and evaluating your sources, arrange them in a matrix or use a citation manager to help you see how they relate to each other and apply to each of your themes or variables.

By arranging your sources by theme or variable, you can see how your sources relate to each other, and can start thinking about how you weave them together to create a narrative.

- [Step-by-Step Approach](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/ld.php?content_id=16149115)
- [Example Matrix from NSCU](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/ld.php?content_id=16149009)

- [Matrix Template](http://blogs.monm.edu/writingatmc/files/2013/04/Synthesis-Matrix-Template.pdf)

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- [<< **Previous:** Summarize](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/summarize)
- [**Next:** Integrate >>](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/lit-review/integrate)