Master Synthesis

How to Use

Invoke this skill with your papers:

/master-synthesis

Synthesize the literature across these papers on [topic]:
[list of papers or paths]

Analysis Instructions

Critical Rule: Write ACROSS the Literature

Do NOT summarize individual papers.

Instead:

• Write about patterns across all papers
• Identify collective findings
• Synthesize themes that emerge from multiple sources
• Focus on the literature as a body, not as individual contributions

Section 1: Established Consensus (~100 words)

What does this field collectively agree on?

Identify claims that:

• Appear in multiple papers without contradiction
• Are treated as foundational by most authors
• Form the baseline assumptions of the field

Requirements:

• Cite at least 2 papers supporting each claim
• Write declaratively - state facts, not "researchers suggest"
• If there's no consensus on something, don't include it here

Format: Write as flowing paragraphs, not bullet points.

Example structure: "This literature agrees that [claim 1] (Author A, Year; Author B, Year). Additionally, researchers consistently find that [claim 2] (Author C, Year; Author D, Year). There is widespread acceptance that [claim 3] (Author E, Year; Author F, Year)."

Section 2: Active Debates (~100 words)

What do researchers in this field meaningfully disagree about?

Identify genuine intellectual debates where:

• Authors take different positions on the same question
• Disagreements are substantive, not methodological trivia
• Multiple papers engage with the contested issue

Requirements:

• Name the disagreeing positions WITHOUT naming individual papers
• Write about the debate itself, not who's involved
• Focus on why the debate matters

Format: Describe debates as active ongoing discussions.

Example structure: "The field is divided on [issue 1], with some arguing [position A] while others contend [position B]. Another unresolved debate concerns [issue 2], where disagreement centers on [core point of contention]. A third area of active discussion involves [issue 3]."

Section 3: Strongest Evidence (~100 words)

What claims are supported by the most consistent, replicated, or methodologically robust evidence?

Identify findings that:

• Are replicated across multiple papers with different methods
• Come from rigorous methodologies (per /methodology-audit)
• Show consistent patterns despite varying contexts

Requirements:

• Prioritize empirical evidence over theoretical claims
• Focus on reliability and robustness, not just agreement
• Write about the evidence quality, not just the claim

Format: State what's well-established based on evidence strength.

Example structure: "The most robust finding is [claim 1], which has been demonstrated through [different methods/contexts]. Equally well-supported is [claim 2], consistently observed across [variation in studies]. Strong convergent evidence also supports [claim 3]."

Section 4: The Key Open Question (~80 words)

What is the single most important unanswered question in this field?

Choose the question whose resolution would:

• Most change our understanding
• Unlock answers to other questions
• Advance the field fundamentally

Requirements:

• End with a clear, specific question (not vague "future research needed")
• Explain why resolving it matters
• Don't hedge - commit to the most important question

Format: Build up to the question, then state it clearly.

Example structure: "Despite advances in [area], the literature has not resolved [issue]. This gap is critical because [reason]. The key unanswered question is: [Specific question]?"

Overall Requirements

Total length: Exactly 400 words maximum

Style rules:

• No hedging phrases like "it seems," "may suggest," "appears to indicate"
• State claims clearly and directly
• If papers lack consensus on a topic, state that explicitly rather than hedging
• Use citations in-text: (Author, Year)
• Write for a knowledgeable reader, not a general audience

What to avoid:

• Individual paper summaries
• Lists of "Paper A found X, Paper B found Y"
• Vague generalizations
• Hedging language that weakens claims

Important Guidelines

• Synthesize, don't summarize - write about collective patterns, not individual papers
• Be decisive - if the literature is unclear, say so; don't pretend consensus exists
• Cite evidence - every claim in "consensus" needs at least 2 paper citations
• Stay focused - 400 words is tight; every sentence must earn its place
• Be honest - if a section can't be populated (e.g., no real consensus), state that

Output Format

Use the template to create the synthesis.

Next Steps

After creating the master synthesis:

• Use this as the foundation for your literature review
• Share with collaborators to align understanding
• Use the "key open question" to guide your research proposal