Transcript Slide 1

Informational Text
Synthesizing Sources: Main Ideas and Supporting Evidence
Feature Menu
Informational Texts
Connecting to the Literature
Introducing the Informational Texts
Vocabulary
Informational Reading Focus: Synthesizing
Sources
Synthesizing Sources
Assignment
Connecting to the Literature
The death of Edgar Allan Poe, author of “The Cask
of Amontillado,” is shrouded in mystery. Most
scholars believe that Poe died as a result of
drinking too much alcohol. According to another
theory, Poe died of rabies, a disease people can
get when they are bitten or scratched by an
animal infected with the rabies virus. The following
four selections present a debate about what killed
this tragic genius.
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Introducing the Informational Texts
“Poe’s Final Days”
“Poe’s Death Is Rewritten
as a Case of Rabies, Not
Telltale Alcohol”
“If Only Poe Had
Succeeded When He Said
Nevermore to Drink”
“Rabies Death Theory”
Introducing the Informational Texts
“Poe’s Final Days”
A fever left untreated, a week’s disappearance,
confusion, delirium, and sudden death . . . What
really happened to Edgar Allan Poe during his final
days?
To get firsthand accounts of the days leading up to
Poe’s death, read “Poe’s Final Days.”
Introducing the Informational Texts
“Poe’s Death Is Rewritten as Case of Rabies,
Not Telltale Alcohol
What if Poe really died from rabies, not alcohol
poisoning?
Read about a theory proposed by one doctor
that could change what students learn in the
future.
Introducing the Informational Texts
“If Only Poe Had Succeeded When He Said
Nevermore to Drink”
The debate about Poe’s death continues as
scholars question the new rabies theory.
To find out why two scholars disagree with Dr.
Benitez’s rabies theory, read “If Only Poe Had
Succeeded When He Said Nevermore to Drink.”
Introducing the Informational Texts
“Rabies Death Theory”
How would you react if your new theory about a
famous writer’s death was challenged?
To find out how Dr. Benitez responds to criticism of
his theory that Poe died from rabies, read “Rabies
Death Theory.”
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Vocabulary
Vocabulary Development
insensible adj.: not fully conscious or aware.
imposing adj. large and impressive looking.
stupor n.: dull, half-conscious state.
spectral adj.: ghostly, unreal.
expired v.: died.
maligned v. used as adj.: falsely accused of bad
conduct; slandered.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Development
belligerent adj.: angry and aggressive or ready
to start a fight.
conspicuous adj. obvious; noticeable; notable.
ascribe v.: assign or attribute something to a
cause.
chronic adj.: frequently occurring.
transmitted v.: passed on.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Practice
insensible
belligerent
Fill in the blanks with Word Bank words.
chronic
belligerent when they
1. Many people grow __________
are insulted
spectral
spectral
2. A horror movie might have a __________
form in it.
transmitted
insensible to smells.
chronic
3. A __________
cold might make you __________
transmitted a silent message with light signals.
4. He __________
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Synthesizing Sources
When you research a
subject, you read many
different sources. Then
you need to synthesize,
or put all the pieces
together, to see the big
picture.
Source 2
Source 1
Source 4
Source 3
Synthesizing Sources
Steps for Synthesizing
• Find the main idea. Take notes about the
writer’s most important point, opinion, or
message.
• If you encounter a
difficult passage,
paraphrase it, or
restate it in your own
words.
Synthesizing Sources
Steps for Synthesizing
• Look for supporting evidence—facts,
statistics, examples, anecdotes, or quotations.
To help find the writer’s main idea and support,
try making a chart.
Main Idea 1
Main Idea 2
Support 1
Support 2
Support 1
Support 2
Synthesizing Sources
Quick Check
The writer entered Washington College
Hospital comatose, Dr. Benitez said, but by
the next day was perspiring heavily,
hallucinating, and shouting at imaginary
companions. The next day, he seemed
better but could not remember falling ill.
On his fourth day at the hospital, Poe
again grew confused and belligerent, then
quieted down and died.
That is a classic case of rabies, the doctor
said.
from “Poe’s Death Is Rewritten as a Case of Rabies,
Not Telltale Alcohol” (from The New York Times,
September 15, 1996)
What is the
writer’s main
idea?
What are
some pieces
of supporting
evidence?
Synthesizing Sources
Steps for Synthesizing
• Compare and contrast. Look for similarities
and differences among the sources, especially in
the author’s main idea and the types of support
used.
• Make connections. Is the information in the
sources familiar to you? Have you read about it
in other places?
Synthesizing Sources
Quick Check
The writer entered Washington College
Hospital comatose, Dr. Benitez said, but by
the next day was perspiring heavily,
hallucinating, and shouting at imaginary
companions. The next day, he seemed
better but could not remember falling ill.
On his fourth day at the hospital, Poe
again grew confused and belligerent, then
quieted down and died.
That is a classic case of rabies, the doctor
said.
from “Poe’s Death Is Rewritten as a Case of Rabies,
Not Telltale Alcohol” (from The New York Times,
September 15, 1996)
What other
theories have
you heard
about Poe’s
death?
Synthesizing Sources
Putting It All Together
Once you’ve completed all
the steps, put the pieces
together. To synthesize
what you’ve learned, you
may want to write a
research report, editorial,
speech or letter on the
topic.
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Assignment
After you read these four articles concerning Poe’s
death, synthesize the information.
• Find the main idea of each article.
• Identify the supporting evidence for each main
idea.
• Compare and contrast main ideas and evidence.
• Make connections with other sources.
• Write an essay about the articles and discuss
which theory you believe.
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The End