NJSLA Evidence-Based Written Responses 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which element is MOST important in a strong concluding paragraph for an evidence-based essay?
- Introducing new evidence not mentioned in the body
- Restating the thesis in the same exact wording used in the introduction
- Synthesizing the main points and reinforcing the thesis in new words (Correct answer)
- Asking the reader a series of rhetorical questions
Correct answer: Synthesizing the main points and reinforcing the thesis in new words
A strong conclusion synthesizes the essay's main ideas and restates the thesis in fresh language, leaving the reader with a sense of completion.
Question 2: What is the difference between paraphrasing and plagiarizing source material?
- There is no difference; both are acceptable in academic writing
- Paraphrasing restates the idea in your own words with attribution; plagiarizing copies without credit (Correct answer)
- Plagiarizing is only wrong if you copy more than three sentences
- Paraphrasing requires quotation marks while plagiarizing does not
Correct answer: Paraphrasing restates the idea in your own words with attribution; plagiarizing copies without credit
Paraphrasing means rewording a source's idea in your own language while crediting the source; plagiarizing means using someone else's words or ideas without attribution.
Question 3: A student reads two articles with conflicting data about screen time's effects on children. How should the student handle this in a written response?
- Ignore one article and only cite the one that supports their thesis
- Acknowledge the conflicting data and explain which evidence is stronger and why (Correct answer)
- Refuse to take a position since the sources disagree
- Average the two sets of data and present that as fact
Correct answer: Acknowledge the conflicting data and explain which evidence is stronger and why
Acknowledging conflicting evidence and evaluating which is stronger demonstrates critical thinking and strengthens the credibility of the argument.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a topic sentence in a body paragraph?
- To provide the strongest piece of evidence for the entire essay
- To introduce the main idea of that paragraph and connect it to the thesis (Correct answer)
- To conclude the paragraph's argument and transition to the next
- To give background information about the author of the source
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of that paragraph and connect it to the thesis
A topic sentence states the main idea of a body paragraph and links it back to the essay's central thesis.
Question 5: On the NJSLA, an informational/explanatory task asks students to 'explain' a concept using sources. This is DIFFERENT from an argumentative task because:
- Explanatory writing requires no evidence from sources
- Explanatory writing presents information objectively rather than arguing for one position (Correct answer)
- Argumentative writing is always shorter than explanatory writing
- Explanatory writing uses first-person pronouns throughout
Correct answer: Explanatory writing presents information objectively rather than arguing for one position
Explanatory/informational writing presents facts and explains concepts objectively, while argumentative writing takes a stance and defends it with evidence.
Question 6: A student writes a body paragraph with five direct quotes in a row and no analysis. What is the PRIMARY problem?
- The student used too few sources
- The student failed to analyze or connect the evidence to the thesis (Correct answer)
- Direct quotes are not allowed on the NJSLA
- The paragraph is likely too short
Correct answer: The student failed to analyze or connect the evidence to the thesis
Evidence alone does not make an argument; students must analyze quotes and explain how each piece of evidence supports the central claim.
Question 7: Which signal phrase BEST introduces evidence while also establishing the source's credibility?
- Someone wrote that...
- I think the source says...
- According to marine biologist Dr. Jane Chen, who has studied coral reefs for 20 years... (Correct answer)
- The book mentions...
Correct answer: According to marine biologist Dr. Jane Chen, who has studied coral reefs for 20 years...
Identifying the source's credentials (title, expertise, experience) establishes authority and makes the cited evidence more persuasive.
NJSLA Evidence-Based Written Responses 3
Which element is MOST important in a strong concluding paragraph for an evidence-based essay?