Question 133·Medium·Rhetorical Synthesis
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
Florence Nightingale is often called the founder of modern nursing. Born in 1820 in Florence, Italy. Improved sanitary conditions in British army hospitals during the Crimean War (1853–1856), sharply reducing death rates. Published Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not in 1859. Founded the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London in 1860.
The student wants to introduce Nightingale’s influential 1859 book. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
For rhetorical synthesis questions based on notes, start by underlining the exact task in the question stem (for example, "introduce [X]," "emphasize [Y]," or "show how [A] contrasts with [B]"). Then scan the notes and identify which bullet(s) directly relate to that task. Eliminate any answer choices that mainly use unrelated notes or add extra focus the question did not ask for, even if the facts are correct. Choose the option that most directly uses the relevant note(s) and clearly fulfills the specific purpose stated in the question, with no off-topic details.
Hints
Focus on what the question is asking you to introduce
The question is not asking for a general fact about Florence Nightingale, but specifically for a way to introduce something. Ask yourself: Introduce what, exactly?
Match the answer to the most relevant note
Look at the bulleted notes and find the one that is about the thing you need to introduce. Then, look for the choice that is built mainly from that note and highlights its importance.
Watch for sentences that drift to a different topic
Some choices may mention Florence Nightingale but focus more on her birth, her work in war, or the nursing school she founded. Eliminate any option that does not make the 1859 item from the notes the main focus.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the task in the question stem
The question says the student "wants to introduce Nightingale’s influential 1859 book." That means the correct sentence must:
- Mention the book itself
- Connect it to the year 1859
- Emphasize that the book was influential (its impact or importance) It should not mainly focus on other parts of Nightingale’s life, such as her birth, war work, or later career, unless they clearly support introducing the book.
Identify the relevant notes
Look back at the notes and find which bullet is about the book:
- "Published Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not in 1859." This bullet is the key information. The best answer will be built from this note and will add an idea of influence or importance that logically connects to the rest of the notes about her role in modern nursing.
Compare each option to the goal and the notes
Now check which choices actually introduce the 1859 book as influential:
- Choice A talks about her birth and the school she founded in 1860; it does not introduce the book.
- Choice B talks about her work in the Crimean War and sanitary conditions; it does not introduce the book.
- Choice C names Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is, and What It Is Not, gives the year 1859, and describes it as foundational for modern nursing education.
- Choice D mainly focuses on the school she opened, only briefly mentioning "her famous book" without naming it or clearly explaining its influence.
Select the sentence that best introduces the book
The only option that directly uses the note about the 1859 book and clearly presents it as important is choice C: "Florence Nightingale’s foundational text Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not, published in 1859, laid the groundwork for modern nursing education." This best accomplishes the goal of introducing Nightingale’s influential 1859 book.