Set 14: Rhetorical Synthesis (Intermediate)
Explanation
PASSAGE
A student is writing about the concept of the 'death of the author.' The student wants to explain Barthes's argument and its implications for textual interpretation. Notes: - Barthes argued that author's intentions shouldn't determine meaning. - Meaning is created by readers, not deposited by writers. - Texts contain multiple possible meanings, not one 'true' interpretation. - This liberated criticism from biographical investigation of authors.
Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish the student's goal?
Detailed Answer Explanation
This question asks you to effectively combine information to achieve a goal. The goal requires ARGUMENT AND implications. Rejecting intention, reader-created meaning (argument) + liberating criticism (implication). The correct synthesis will use relevant details from the notes in a logical, purposeful way. Focus on what the question asks you to accomplish, then choose the answer that best achieves that goal using the provided information. Effective synthesis requires selecting and combining the most relevant information to achieve a specific purpose. Not all provided notes may be equally useful. Focus on what best accomplishes the stated goal while maintaining logical coherence.
Key Evidence:
• "Barthes's argument and its implications"
• "author's intentions shouldn't determine meaning"
• "Meaning is created by readers"
• "multiple possible meanings"
• "liberated criticism from biographical investigation"
Why others are wrong: A (Notes different interpretations but not Barthes's full argument.), D (Not in notes; biography, not the argument.), C (Not in notes; general statement about criticism evolution.).
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