Informational Text Synthesizing Sources: Main Ideas and Supporting Evidence

1. Informational TextSynthesizing 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

2. 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. [End of Section]

3. 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”

4. 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.”

5. 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.

6. 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.”

7. 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.” [End of Section]

8. Vocabulary Vocabulary Development insensibleadj.: not fully conscious or aware. imposingadj. large and impressive looking. stuporn.: dull, half-conscious state. spectraladj.: ghostly, unreal. expired v.: died. maligned v. used as adj.: falsely accused of bad conduct; slandered.

9. Vocabulary Vocabulary Development belligerentadj.: angry and aggressive or ready to start a fight. conspicuousadj. obvious; noticeable; notable. ascribev.: assign or attribute something to a cause. chronicadj.: frequently occurring. transmitted v.: passed on.

10. Vocabulary insensible belligerent chronic spectral transmitted Vocabulary Practice Fill in the blanks with Word Bank words. belligerent 1. Many people grow __________ when they are insulted 2. A horror movie might have a __________ form in it. spectral insensible chronic 3. A __________ cold might make you __________ to smells. 4. He __________ a silent message with light signals. transmitted [End of Section]

11. Source 2 Source 1 Source 4 Source 3 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Synthesizing Sources Quick Check What is the writer’s main idea? 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 are some pieces of supporting evidence?

15. 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?

16. Synthesizing Sources Quick Check What other theories have you heard about Poe’s death? 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)

17. 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. [End of Section]

18. 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. [End of Section]

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