Synthesis essay (Free-Response Question 1): Practice Questions

• a.

  The writer should present the source but immediately dismiss it as biased without providing further evidentiary counter-arguments.

• b.

  The writer should acknowledge the contradictory data and use it to refine or qualify their own argument, thereby demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the issue.

• c.

  The writer should alter the interpretation of the source's data so that it aligns more closely with their original thesis.

• d.

  The writer should omit the source entirely to maintain a consistent and persuasive narrative flow for the audience.

• a.

  Acknowledge the humanitarian urgency described in Source B while arguing that the technological innovations from space exploration (Source A) often lead to long-term solutions for poverty.

• b.

  Find a third source that agrees with Source A to create a majority opinion and invalidate Source B's concerns.

• c.

  Quote Source A and Source B back-to-back without commentary to let the reader decide which perspective is more valid.

• d.

  Dismiss Source B entirely as being 'anti-science' and focus only on the intellectual merits found in Source A.

• a.

  Group the sources by their medium (e.g., reports in one section, essays in another) to maintain a consistent stylistic flow within sections.

• b.

  Starting with the statistical report to establish facts, then ending with the narrative to provide a concluding emotional appeal.

• c.

  Organizing the argument by thematic 'claims' where each paragraph incorporates perspectives from at least two sources to highlight areas of agreement or tension.

• d.

  Devoting one body paragraph to each source in the order they were provided to ensure all evidence is presented clearly.

• a.

  Summarizing the main points of each source in the introduction to provide a comprehensive background for the reader.

• b.

  Identifying the most credible source among the four and using it as the sole basis for the argument's main claim.

• c.

  Devoting one paragraph to Source A, the next to Source B, and a third to Source C to ensure all perspectives are covered.

• d.

  Using the economic data from Source D to contextualize the personal sentiment in Source C, thereby creating a multi-faceted justification for preservation.

• a.

  Ignore the source entirely, as synthesis only requires the use of sources that are logically sound and objective.

• b.

  Correct the source's fallacies in the essay to make the author's original argument appear more credible and professional.

• c.

  Analyze the source as evidence of the polarized nature of the public debate, rather than using its claims as factual support for the thesis.

• d.

  Include the inflammatory quotes without attribution to add passion and energy to the writer's own prose.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.