When synthesizing texts, the first step you, as a reader, should take is to .
a. identify the writer's message
b. read with clarity
c. make connections
d. put thoughts together

b. read with clarity

As a reader, the first thing to do before creating a synthesis is to read the text clearly to make sure that you have understood and grasp the main points correctly. Synthesizing is the process of creating or establishing a relationship among articles, essays, lectures and other sources of information. You cannot synthesize or infer the relationships among the topics presented if you haven't been able to read and understand what the entire text is all about. After having read and understood the text the rest of the procedures follow.