NJGPA The Research Simulation Task: Synthesizing Sources for Essay Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When synthesizing multiple sources for an RST essay, which approach BEST demonstrates strong integration of evidence?
- Quote each source in separate paragraphs without connecting them
- Weave evidence from multiple sources together to support a single claim (Correct answer)
- Summarize each source fully before beginning the essay body
- Use only the source you found most convincing and ignore the others
Correct answer: Weave evidence from multiple sources together to support a single claim
Strong synthesis weaves evidence from multiple sources together to build a unified argument rather than treating each source separately.
Question 2: A student writing an RST essay finds that two sources contradict each other on a key point. What is the BEST strategy?
- Ignore the source that disagrees with your thesis
- Pick the longer source because it is more reliable
- Acknowledge the contradiction and explain which evidence is more convincing and why (Correct answer)
- Use only one source to avoid confusing the reader
Correct answer: Acknowledge the contradiction and explain which evidence is more convincing and why
Acknowledging contradictions and evaluating the evidence strengthens your argument by showing critical thinking about source reliability.
Question 3: Which sentence BEST demonstrates synthesis rather than simple summary in an RST essay?
- Source A says climate change is a problem.
- According to Source A, temperatures have risen, and Source B's data on coral reef decline confirms these effects are already visible. (Correct answer)
- Source B is about coral reefs dying because of warming oceans.
- The author of Source A is a scientist who studies the environment.
Correct answer: According to Source A, temperatures have risen, and Source B's data on coral reef decline confirms these effects are already visible.
Synthesis connects information from multiple sources to build a point, unlike summary which restates one source at a time.
Question 4: In the RST, why is it important to cite your sources within the essay body?
- To make the essay longer and meet the word count
- To show readers where the information comes from and support your credibility (Correct answer)
- Because the grader will not read the essay without citations
- Citations are optional if you paraphrase instead of quote
Correct answer: To show readers where the information comes from and support your credibility
In-text citations tell readers where evidence originates, which builds trust and satisfies the RST requirement of using textual evidence.
Question 5: A student's RST prompt asks: 'What are the effects of social media on teenagers?' Which thesis BEST sets up a well-synthesized essay?
- Social media exists and teenagers use it every day.
- While social media offers teenagers connection and self-expression, research shows it also raises significant risks to mental health and academic focus. (Correct answer)
- I think social media is bad for teenagers.
- Source A and Source B both talk about social media and teenagers.
Correct answer: While social media offers teenagers connection and self-expression, research shows it also raises significant risks to mental health and academic focus.
A strong thesis introduces the complexity of the topic and previews the argument the synthesis will support.
Question 6: When selecting which details to include from a source in an RST essay, a student should prioritize details that:
- Are the most surprising or shocking
- Directly support or develop the essay's central argument (Correct answer)
- Come from the longest paragraph in the source
- Were published most recently
Correct answer: Directly support or develop the essay's central argument
Relevant evidence is chosen based on how directly it supports your thesis, not based on length, recency, or shock value.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of plagiarism in an RST essay?
- Paraphrasing a source and including an in-text citation
- Quoting a source with quotation marks and a citation
- Copying a sentence from a source word-for-word without quotation marks or citation (Correct answer)
- Using an idea from a source and explaining it in your own words with a citation
Correct answer: Copying a sentence from a source word-for-word without quotation marks or citation
Copying text without quotation marks or attribution is plagiarism, even in a test setting, because it does not acknowledge the original author.
NJGPA The Research Simulation Task: Synthesizing Sources for Essay Writing 2
When synthesizing multiple sources for an RST essay, which approach BEST demonstrates strong integration of evidence?