Informational TextsConnecting to the LiteratureIntroducing the Informational TextsVocabulary

Informational Reading Focus: Synthesizing Sources

Synthesizing SourcesAssignment

Informational TextSynthesizing Sources: Main Ideas and Supporting Evidence

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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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Connecting to the Literature

“Poe’s Final Days”

“If Only Poe Had Succeeded When He Said Nevermore to Drink”

“Poe’s Death Is Rewritten as a Case of Rabies, Not Telltale Alcohol”

“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

The debate about Poe’s death continues as scholars question the new rabies theory.

“If Only Poe Had Succeeded When He Said Nevermore to Drink”

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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Introducing the Informational Texts

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

3. A __________ cold might make you __________ to smells.

4. He __________ a silent message with light signals.

insensible

belligerent

chronic

spectral

transmitted

1. Many people grow __________ when they are insulted

2. A horror movie might have a __________ form in it.

insensible

belligerent

chronic

spectral

transmitted

Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the blanks with Word Bank words.

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Vocabulary

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 1

Source 2

Source 3

Source 4

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

• 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 1Support 2

Support 1Support 2

Steps for Synthesizing

Synthesizing Sources

What is the writer’s main idea?

What are some pieces of supporting evidence?

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)

Synthesizing Sources

• 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?

Steps for Synthesizing

Synthesizing Sources

What other theories have you heard about Poe’s death?

Quick Check

Synthesizing Sources

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)

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.

Synthesizing Sources

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After you read these four articles concerning Poe’s death, synthesize the information.

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• 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.

Assignment

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