Grade: Grade 11 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Rhetorical Synthesis Lesson: 6 of 6 SAT: Craft+Structure ACT: Reading

Unit Checkpoint: Rhetorical Synthesis Assessment

Unit Review

This checkpoint assesses your mastery of the rhetorical synthesis skills covered in this unit. Before taking the assessment, review these key concepts:

Key Concepts from This Unit

Lesson 1: Synthesizing Viewpoints

  • Identifying main claims and evidence in multiple sources
  • Recognizing agreement, disagreement, and nuance between authors
  • Understanding how authors build on or respond to each other

Lesson 2: Analyzing Rhetorical Choices

  • Identifying how authors use ethos, pathos, and logos
  • Analyzing word choice, tone, and structure for effect
  • Evaluating rhetorical strategies across multiple texts

Lesson 3: Text Practice

  • The CONNECT framework for multi-text analysis
  • Types of source relationships: agreement, disagreement, extension, qualification
  • Using signal words to indicate relationships

Lesson 4: Writing Application

  • Synthesis essay structure: introduction, body, conclusion
  • Integrating sources with quotes, paraphrases, and summaries
  • Maintaining your analytical voice while incorporating sources

Lesson 5: Editing Workshop

  • Three-pass editing strategy: structure, source integration, style
  • Common problems: source dumping, missing attribution, quote overload
  • Transitions that show logical relationships between sources

Assessment Preparation

The assessment includes three types of questions:

Type 1: Source Analysis

You will read paired passages and answer questions about their relationship, each author's claims, and how they connect.

Type 2: Writing Evaluation

You will evaluate synthesis writing samples and identify strengths, weaknesses, and needed revisions.

Type 3: Application

You will apply synthesis principles to select the best thesis, transition, or revision for given scenarios.

Unit Assessment

Complete all 12 questions to demonstrate your mastery of rhetorical synthesis.

Part A: Source Analysis (Questions 1-4)

Read the following passages and answer the questions.

Passage 1: The benefits of bilingual education extend far beyond language acquisition. Research consistently demonstrates that students in bilingual programs develop enhanced cognitive flexibility, showing improved problem-solving abilities and creative thinking. These students often outperform monolingual peers on standardized tests of executive function, suggesting that managing two language systems strengthens overall mental processing.

Passage 2: While bilingual education offers clear linguistic advantages, implementing effective programs requires substantial resources that many school districts lack. Teacher training, curriculum development, and appropriate assessment tools all demand significant investment. Without adequate support, bilingual programs may fail to deliver their promised benefits, potentially widening achievement gaps rather than closing them.

1. What is the relationship between these two passages?

  1. Complete disagreement about bilingual education's value
  2. Passage 2 qualifies Passage 1's claims by introducing implementation challenges
  3. Both passages focus exclusively on cognitive benefits
  4. Passage 1 responds to concerns raised in Passage 2

2. Which synthesis statement best integrates both passages?

  1. Bilingual education has no proven benefits
  2. All schools should immediately implement bilingual programs
  3. Bilingual education offers significant cognitive benefits, but realizing these advantages requires adequate resource investment
  4. The passages contradict each other and cannot be synthesized

3. A writer synthesizing these passages would most likely argue that:

  1. Bilingual education should be abandoned due to cost
  2. Cognitive benefits outweigh all other considerations
  3. Successful bilingual education requires both understanding its benefits and addressing implementation challenges
  4. Monolingual education produces better outcomes

4. According to the CONNECT framework, where do these passages show "tension"?

  1. They disagree about whether bilingualism improves cognition
  2. They present different views on whether benefits can be achieved in practice
  3. They conflict about which languages should be taught
  4. There is no tension between the passages

Part B: Writing Evaluation (Questions 5-8)

5. Evaluate this thesis: "Many researchers have studied artificial intelligence. Source A, Source B, and Source C all discuss AI."

  1. This thesis effectively sets up a synthesis argument
  2. This thesis fails to take a position or indicate how sources relate
  3. This thesis is too specific and should be broader
  4. This thesis has correct grammar and is therefore effective

6. What problem does this passage demonstrate? "Healthcare costs are rising. 'Premiums increased 15% last year' (Johnson). 'Deductibles have doubled in a decade' (Smith). 'Out-of-pocket expenses burden families' (Williams). 'Insurance companies report record profits' (Chen). Something must be done."

  1. Insufficient sources
  2. Quote overload with minimal analysis or synthesis
  3. Incorrect source attribution
  4. Poor grammar

7. Which revision best strengthens this sentence? "Thompson says technology changes education."

  1. Thompson says technology really changes education.
  2. Thompson's research demonstrates that adaptive learning technologies personalize instruction by adjusting difficulty based on student performance.
  3. Technology changes education says Thompson.
  4. Thompson says technology changes education a lot.

8. In the three-pass editing strategy, which issue would you address first?

  1. A misplaced comma
  2. A body paragraph that doesn't connect to the thesis
  3. A signal phrase that could be more varied
  4. A word that could be more precise

Part C: Application (Questions 9-12)

9. You are writing about renewable energy. Source A argues that solar power is cost-effective. Source B argues that wind power is more reliable. Source C argues that both require battery storage solutions. Which thesis best synthesizes these sources?

  1. Solar power is the best renewable energy source.
  2. Renewable energy sources each offer distinct advantages, but realizing their collective potential requires addressing shared storage challenges.
  3. Source A, B, and C discuss renewable energy.
  4. Wind power is more reliable than solar power.

10. Select the best transition: "Martinez argues that remote work increases productivity. ___ Chen's research reveals that remote workers report higher rates of isolation and burnout."

  1. Similarly,
  2. Therefore,
  3. However,
  4. In addition,

11. When integrating sources that partially agree, the most effective approach is to:

  1. Present them as completely agreeing to strengthen your argument
  2. Present them as completely disagreeing to create tension
  3. Acknowledge common ground while explaining meaningful distinctions
  4. Only cite the source that most supports your thesis

12. A synthesis essay's conclusion should:

  1. Introduce new sources not discussed in the body paragraphs
  2. Exactly repeat the thesis word-for-word
  3. Synthesize key insights and explore broader implications or applications
  4. Acknowledge that no conclusion is possible given disagreeing sources

Assessment Results

Check your answers against the key below. Aim for at least 10 out of 12 correct to demonstrate mastery.

Answer Key

1. B | 2. C | 3. C | 4. B | 5. B | 6. B | 7. B | 8. B | 9. B | 10. C | 11. C | 12. C

Score Interpretation

  • 11-12 correct: Excellent! You have mastered rhetorical synthesis. Continue to the next unit.
  • 9-10 correct: Good understanding. Review any missed concepts before moving on.
  • 7-8 correct: Developing proficiency. Revisit lessons for topics you found challenging.
  • Below 7: Additional practice recommended. Review each lesson before retaking the checkpoint.

Next Steps

  • If you scored below 10, review the specific lessons related to questions you missed
  • Practice synthesis skills with texts from your other courses
  • Apply these techniques to SAT/ACT practice tests
  • Continue to the next unit in Grade 11 ELA

Unit Complete!

Congratulations on completing the Rhetorical Synthesis unit. You have developed essential skills for:

  • Analyzing multiple texts and identifying their relationships
  • Writing synthesis essays that integrate sources effectively
  • Editing your work for structure, source integration, and style

These skills will serve you well on the SAT, ACT, and in college-level writing.