Step 6: Write a unified synthesis of the entire body of literature. Four sections, max 400 words total. No hedging, no vague language.
Using the loaded papers as the sole source, write a synthesis of the entire body of literature. Do NOT retell each paper separately. Instead, write across all papers on the following four sections:
What is the general agreement in this field? On which questions do at least 2 papers agree? State each agreement as a firm assertion.
On which questions are there real disagreements? Describe the positions without naming specific papers.
Which claims in this field are supported by the most reproducible or methodologically strongest evidence?
Finish with the single most important unresolved question in this field — the one whose answer would most impact all other findings.
<RULES> - **Total maximum: 400 words.** No exceptions. - Do NOT use hedging language like "seems", "might suggest", "some researchers believe" - Write clearly and firmly - If the papers lack sufficient agreement to fill a section, state that directly </RULES>| Excuse | Reality |
|---|---|
| "I need more words to be accurate" | 400 words forces precision. Every word must earn its place. |
| "I should mention which papers support each claim" | Not in this step. The synthesis is position-level, not citation-level. |
| "There's no consensus" | Then say that explicitly in section 1. Absence of consensus is a finding. |