In GSW 1120, students are required to incorporate source synthesis in their essays. Source synthesis, in a nutshell, clearly states the relationship of two more sources used to support an author’s main point. As a GSW instructor, I firmly believe that source synthesis is important to academic writing. It increases the writer’s credibility and helps him/her develop the main ideas in the essay. Plus, it produces quality writing. Many reputable academics agree with my position. For instance, Hello Kitty, a friendly cartoon cat, in her book Essay Writing 101 says, “Synthesis is very cute and quite glamorous. It really brings together an argument, much like a good outfit brings together a specific style. In fact, I see synthesis as the Hello Kitty jewelry that pulls together a smart look” (66). Clearly, Hello Kitty comprehends the merit of source synthesis, much like Alf, who also thinks synthesis is the cat’s meow. In his article “Eat More Cats,” Alf, an alien, confirms Hello Kitty’s views when he states, ““I may like cats, but I like synthesis even more.  It shows that you care about your argument enough to find sources to defend, counter-argue, or elaborate on your position” (90-97). Both Alf and Hello Kitty assert that synthesis is essential to researched essays. However, there are others who feel differently. Disagreeing with Hello Kitty and Alf, Simon Cowell, American Idol judge and author of the article “I Proudly Wear Only Black Shirts” from Scholarly Journal United, argues, “It’s just another appalling hoop we’re being forced to jump through—as if we needed essay writing to be more boring” (300-309). Donald Trump, millionaire and author of the website Want To Be Rich?, takes Cowell’s idea one step further by saying, “The synthesis requirement just seems like an unnatural way of organizing an essay.” Both of these sources show how one could argue that synthesis doesn’t have an importance. However, what they fail to realize is that good essay writing relies on pertinent information and thoughtful source support. One doesn’t organize an essay with source synthesis; one uses source synthesis to support his/her own argument. Therefore, Cowell and Trump are misinformed and wrong about source synthesis. It is my goal that students learn how essential source synthesis is to them as writers and scholars. I know in the future they’ll have to use source synthesis in any academic essay they write during their college career, and learning it now may mean the difference between an A and an F.