Academic Synthesis
Assignment Instructions: The Academic Synthesis Assignment (aka Literature Review
Assignment)
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to synthesize research findings on a specific topic relevant to
social work. Your goal is to analyze, compare, and connect ideas from various sources to
identify key themes in your sources. This assignment is not about summarizing each source
separately but rather integrating the research to show how scholars have engaged with the
topic. The academic synthesis is another writing assignment that is commonly assigned in the
Social Work program.
Assignment
Your assignment is to write an academic synthesis (aka literature review).
No further research is needed for this assignment. You will use the same sources from your
annotated bibliography.
Guidelines and Requirements
Your literature review should:
1. Introduce the Topic & Significance
o Clearly define the topic and its relevance to social work in your introduction.
o Provide background information and explain why the topic is important.
o Include a descriptive thesis, which is a statement that summarizes your research
and provides a road map for the reader. This is NOT an argument. It is
informative.
2. Organize the Sources by Themes
o Identify major themes or patterns across the sources.
o Compare and contrast findings or perspectives from different authors.
3. Engage in Critical Analysis
o Explain how different sources relate to one another.
o Identify areas of agreement, disagreement, or unanswered questions.
o Avoid adding your opinion.
4. Maintain a Logical Structure
o Use subheadings to organize different themes.
o Write in a clear and concise academic style.
5. Use Proper Citations
o Follow APA (or required) citation style for in-text citations and references.
o Include a properly formatted APA reference page.
Formatting and AI Use Requirements
• Length: 4-6 pages (excluding the reference page).
• Present your work using the APA format, with a title page and a running head. You
WILL need an abstract for this assignment.
Note: If you use Generative AI, including GRAMMARLY, you will add an APA-style
appendix for ALL graded work. Save a version of your work prior to using
Generative AI. If your work is mistakenly flagged, you will be required to
submit the saved file without Generative AI’s assistance or earn a zero for the
assignment.
The AI appendix will include
A. a description of precisely which AI tools were used and when (e.g. Grammarly,
ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Copilot in MS Word, etc.)
B. an explanation of how the AI tools were used (e.g. to generate ideas, fix
grammar, create turns of phrase, lines of argument, pieces of evidence, etc.)
C. an account of why AI tools were used (e.g. to save time, to surmount writer’s
block, to stimulate thinking, to handle mounting stress, to clarify prose, to
translate text, etc.)
Grading Criteria
• Clarity & Organization: Logical flow and effective use of subheadings.
• Depth of Analysis: Ability to synthesize the sources.
• Use of Sources: Appropriate integration of sources and proper citation.
• Writing Quality: Grammar, spelling, academic tone, and coherence.
• AI Use Appendix: if AI was used, an APA style appendix is added
Paper Format: APA
Answer preview to Academic Synthesis
APA
1200 WORDS
