Synthesizing Notes - PSAT Reading & Writing

Identify the specific purpose and scope stated in the question. The purpose guides which notes to include and how to combine them.

Details that directly support the question’s purpose. Relevance to the question determines which details to include.

Exclude it as irrelevant to the stated purpose. Stay focused on the question's purpose, not interesting tangents.

Including an accurate detail that does not answer the question. Accuracy alone isn't enough; relevance to the question matters.

Choose the option that matches the more specific or supported note. Prioritize specific, well-supported information over general claims.

Combine them into one concise statement without redundancy. Avoid repetition by merging similar points into one clear statement.

Precise, neutral phrasing that reflects the notes’ meaning. Avoid bias or interpretation; stick to what the notes actually say.

Adding new claims or interpretations not found in the notes. Stick to information explicitly stated in the provided notes.

A sentence that states the claim and includes the most relevant evidence. Evidence-based claims require both the assertion and supporting data.

Eliminate it for overstating the notes’ claims. Match the strength of language to what the notes actually support.

Eliminate it as unsupported by the provided information. Only use information explicitly provided in the given notes.

A recommendation directly supported by the notes’ findings. Recommendations must be grounded in the notes' evidence.

Include only essential details and remove repeated or minor points. Focus on core information; eliminate redundancy and minor details.

Select the one that most directly fulfills the question’s purpose. Purpose alignment trumps other considerations when both are accurate.

That every included detail is accurate, relevant, and supported by notes. Triple-check: accuracy, relevance, and textual support.

As solar costs fell 80% since 2010, adoption increased. Connects temporal and causal relationships efficiently.

It directly supports the main idea needed for the task. Key details must connect to the task's central purpose.

Verify every claim is accurate and supported by the notes. Accuracy check prevents misrepresentation of source material.

Remove one instance of “a correlation” (keep it once). Eliminates repetition while preserving meaning.

The program raised attendance, with the strongest effects in grade 9. Integrates general finding with specific detail.

Bee diversity declined during a period when pesticide use increased. Links two events temporally without claiming causation.

Urban trees cool streets by providing shade that lowers surface temperatures. Combines cause-effect relationship into one clear statement.

However. Signals contrast between ideas.

Furthermore. Signals addition of supporting information.

Qualify the conclusion or specify conditions that differ. Address contradictions by noting specific circumstances.

State the claim and include only the strongest supporting evidence. Lead with the main point, support with best evidence only.

The findings suggest a relationship between the variables. Academic writing requires objective, measured language.

Use only stated facts and clearly supported inferences from the notes. Synthesis must stay within the boundaries of given information.

A recommendation directly supported by the notes’ evidence. Recommendations must emerge from the notes' evidence.