Rhetorical synthesis questions present you with bullet-pointed notes and ask you to choose the sentence that best combines the information to achieve a stated goal. This is a new question type on the Digital SAT and tests your ability to write effective, purposeful prose.
Core Concepts
The Question Format
You're given:
- A set of notes (bullet points with facts/details).
- A goal (e.g., "emphasise the significance of the discovery" or "introduce the topic to a general audience").
- Four answer choices — sentences that combine the notes differently.
What Makes a Good Synthesis?
- Achieves the stated goal.
- Includes relevant information from the notes.
- Is well-written (clear, grammatically correct, well-structured).
Matching the Goal
The key differentiator is the goal:
- If the goal is to emphasise significance → choose the option that highlights importance.
- If the goal is to provide contrast → choose the option that juxtaposes information.
- If the goal is to introduce → choose the option that gives an overview.
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: Read the Goal Carefully
The goal determines the answer. Two choices might be factually correct, but only one achieves the goal.
Tip 2: Eliminate Choices That Don't Match the Goal
If the goal is to emphasise a difference, eliminate choices that focus on similarities.
Tip 3: All Choices Use the Same Notes
The information is the same — the difference is emphasis, order, and framing.
Tip 4: Don't Just Pick the Longest Answer
Brevity can be more effective than length. Choose the answer that best achieves the goal.
Worked Example: Example
Notes:
- The James Webb Space Telescope launched in December 2021.
- It observes the universe in infrared light.
- It is the most powerful space telescope ever built.
- It has already discovered some of the oldest galaxies.
Goal: Emphasise the telescope's capabilities.
Best choice: "The James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful space telescope ever built, uses infrared observation to discover some of the universe's oldest galaxies."
This emphasises capabilities (most powerful, infrared, discoveries). A choice that focused on the launch date wouldn't match the goal.
Key Takeaways
Read the goal first — it determines the correct answer.
Choose the option that best achieves the stated purpose.
All options use the same information — the difference is emphasis and framing.
Eliminate choices that are off-goal, even if factually correct.
