Rhetorical Synthesis questions give you a bulleted list of notes and a stated goal ("The student wants to emphasize a similarity," or "…introduce the study to an unfamiliar audience"). You choose the sentence that best accomplishes that specific goal using the notes.
The goal is everything. Two choices can both be true and grammatical — only one does the exact rhetorical job the question names. Underline the goal before reading choices.
How to work them fast
- Read the goal first, then skim the notes for the pieces that serve it.
- Match the goal's verb: "emphasize a contrast" needs two things set against each other; "introduce" needs the basic what/who; "highlight a result" needs the outcome.
- Eliminate choices that are accurate but off-goal — they're the main trap.
Remember: You don't need every note. You need the notes that fulfill the goal, phrased to do that job.