Synthesis Essay
This is the minimum number of sources a student must incorporate meaningfully into a synthesis essay.
What is three?
This is the rhetorical situation element that explains why the text exists.
What is exigence?
The argument essay requires this central statement that establishes the writer’s position.
What is a thesis statement?
A passage describing a sequence of events in time order is using this organizational pattern.
What is chronological structure?
Questions about a word’s meaning “in context” test this essential skill.
What is using context clues?
This part of the synthesis essay requires writers to situate their claim within an established, ongoing discussion.
What is the conversation/issue context?
Words like “calls,” “urges,” and “invites” can signal this part of the rhetorical situation: what the author wants the audience to do or believe.
What is the purpose?
This type of evidence draws from life experience, observations, or knowledge of the world rather than texts.
What is evidence from personal experience?
When an author uses repetition of the same grammatical structure, this rhetorical device is at work (also an example of complex syntax).
What is parallelism?
When a question asks what the author suggests but does not directly state, it’s testing this type of reading.
What is inference?
When a writer explains why the chosen evidence supports their argument, they are demonstrating this essential skill.
What is commentary?
This classical rhetorical appeal relies on facts, reasoning, data, or logical structure.
What is logos?
When writers address an opposing viewpoint directly, they are using this argumentative strategy.
What is a counterargument/refutation?
An MC question asking, “What is the primary function of the second paragraph?” is asking about this concept.
What is the author's purpose?
Identifying an author’s tone requires attention to these two language elements.
What are diction and detail?
This document serves as the prompt’s guiding “package,” offering a variety of perspectives for students to analyze.
What is the source packet?
A sophisticated RA essay explains how rhetorical choices function within a larger argumentative structure. This is known as analyzing the writer’s __________.
What is the line of reasoning?
This term describes the logical structure that connects evidence to the claim, often implicitly.
What is a warrant?
A question asking why an author uses a particular anecdote is most likely testing your understanding of this rhetorical element.
What is the effect of a rhetorical choice?
A question asking how the final paragraph relates to the whole passage is testing your understanding of this concept
What is structure/organization?
Is it true that students should try to incorporate as many sources as possible in their essays?
What is, no?
The approximate amount of time students have to write each essay, excluding the 15-minute reading time allotment.
What is 40 minutes?
High-scoring argument essays demonstrate the writer’s ability to move from specific evidence to broader general insights. This type of concluding insight is known as a __________.
What is a broader implication/insight?
A passage with contrasting ideas placed side-by-side is using this technique to highlight differences.
What is juxtaposition?
This is the amount of time students have on the MCQ portion of the exam.
What is one hour?