SAT Reading and Writing: Rhetorical Synthesis

Rhetorical synthesis is the ability to combine information, perspectives, or evidence from different sources or parts of a text, deciding what to add, move, or remove to strengthen logic and clarity. SAT rhetorical synthesis questions will ask you to choose sentences, introductions, conclusions, or evidence that best fit the author's purpose, support the main idea, or enhance the overall argument.

• Read for purpose: Before answering, identify the author's next goal (inform, persuade, conclude, clarify, summarize, refute).
• Eliminate off-topic options: Only add information that directly supports the topic or focus of the paragraph/passage; skip unrelated facts.
• Check logical flow: Does adding, moving, or deleting a sentence improve coherence or make the logic more clear?
• Evaluate transitions: When inserting a phrase or sentence, does it connect to the previous and following material?
• Be concise: The best synthesis is clear and purposeful—avoid redundancy or repetition.

• 1. Clarify the paragraph’s role: Is it introducing, supporting, elaborating, or concluding?
• 2. Predict what strengthens the argument: Imagine what addition or revision would provide stronger support or clearer organization.
• 3. Match relevance and focus: The correct answer will directly address the main point or fill a logical gap—eliminate irrelevant or tangential info.
• 4. Check movement or deletion: When asked about moving or deleting, ensure the text doesn’t lose essential support or become illogical.

Paragraph Focus: The importance of accessible public transportation.

Choose the sentence that best supports this focus:

Paragraph: City parks provide spaces for exercise and social events. [____] These spaces can also promote environmental education for young people.

Which transition best links these ideas for logical clarity?

Paragraph Focus: The long-term impact of mentorship on career success.

Which sentence could best be deleted for clarity?

Context: (1) “Solar panels reduce reliance on fossil fuels.” (2) “They also lower monthly utility bills.” [INSERT] (3) “Countries with large solar projects have significantly reduced air pollution.”

Which sentence, if inserted at [INSERT], best improves logic and flow?

Question: Which sentence best strengthens a paragraph about bicycle safety rules?

• Don’t add info that is off-topic or doesn’t relate to the main argument.
• Avoid redundancy—don’t repeat a point already made nearby.
• Be wary of “factually interesting” sentences that add little to logic or purpose.
• Don’t delete or move sentences that are essential to coherence.
• Watch for distractors that only vaguely connect to the main point.

• Be relentlessly focused—add, move, or delete only when it strengthens the argument or logic.
• Use relevance as your main filter—every option must directly support the prompt’s goal or topic.
• Predict before previewing answers; focus on logic, not facts alone.
• Rhetorical synthesis is about clarity and purpose—don’t be seduced by “interesting” but irrelevant info.
• Reread the full paragraph before making any revision decision.

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