E10 E - Synthesising information from different sources
aiMOOCE10 E - Synthesising information from different sources
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E10 E - Synthesising information from different sources
Einleitung
Synthesising means combining relevant information from two or three sources into one clear answer. You do not simply summarise Source A and then Source B. You connect ideas: same point – added point – different focus.
In this aiMOOC, you practise the skill with the topic fast fashion. The topic is the training field; the main goal is source synthesis.
Learning route: English first → understand → respond → analyse → communicate → feedback → revise → transfer.
I can ...
- I can synthesise key information from two or three short English sources.
- I can identify main ideas and useful evidence.
- I can connect information from video, text and visuals.
- I can check who created a source, why it exists and what evidence it uses.
- I can write one coherent synthesis paragraph with source signals and linking words.
- I can mediate selected information for a clear purpose and audience without translating everything.
Media starter: one topic, different messages
Look at the image for 20 seconds. Then answer in English:
- What could this image suggest about fashion consumption?
- What information can an image show well?
- What information would you still need from a text or video?
Now watch the UNEP video above once without stopping. Write only three keywords and one question. On the second viewing, add one concrete point.
Privacy: Recording your own voice is optional. Keep recordings private unless you deliberately choose to share them. Do not upload other people’s work, voices or images without permission.
Vorwissen: What is synthesis?
A good synthesis is organised by ideas, not by source order.
Use the Venn diagram idea:
- SAME: What do two or three sources agree on?
- ADDS: What useful new point does one source add?
- DIFF: Where do sources use a different focus, purpose or type of evidence?
Mini-rule: First understand each source. Then compare. Only then write.
The three-source challenge
You work with three short, authentic English sources. Read or watch for the task, not for every unknown word.
Source A – European Parliament: impact and policy
Source type: public information page, updated 2025 Purpose: explain environmental impacts and EU responses Short learning extract, adapted from the source:
In 2022, people in the EU consumed about 19 kg of textiles per person, while around 12 kg of clothing per person was discarded. The page links fast fashion to high resource use, water pollution and more textile waste. It also presents EU measures that aim to make textiles more durable, reusable and recyclable.
Original source: European Parliament – Fast fashion: EU laws for sustainable textile consumption
Quick response: Write one sentence beginning with: Source A mainly shows that ...
Source B – UNEP: consumption and environmental pressure
Source type: campaign video by the UN Environment Programme Purpose: raise awareness and encourage change
Listening/Viewing task: Note one point for each box: problem – consequence – possible action.
Do not try to copy every sentence. Listen for repeated ideas, visual emphasis and key nouns.
Original source: UNEP – Wasted: Fast fashion is fueling our ecological crisis
Source C – Ellen MacArthur Foundation: circular solutions
Source type: explanatory article by a foundation promoting the circular economy Purpose: describe system change and circular business models Short learning extract, adapted from the source:
A circular fashion system tries to keep clothes and materials in use for longer. The source highlights models such as reuse, rental and repair, together with better design and recycling. Its main focus is not only the damage caused by fast fashion but how the system could be redesigned.
Original source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Fashion and the circular economy
Quick response: Which point does Source C add that is less central in A or B?
Reading: find what matters
For Sources A and C, work in two passes.
- Pass 1 – gist: Give each source a five-word headline.
- Pass 2 – evidence: Mark one problem, one useful detail and one proposed response.
- Do not translate line by line. Infer meaning from context and only check words that block the task.
Reading check: Which source is more focused on public policy? Which is more focused on redesigning the fashion system? Give one piece of evidence for each answer.
Listening/Viewing: connect sound, image and message
Watch Source B again.
- What idea is repeated through words or images?
- How do images support the message?
- Which claim would you want to verify with another source?
- Does the video mainly inform, persuade, or do both? Explain briefly.
Media analysis: A video can create emphasis through images, sound, pace and spoken language. A written source may make figures, links and qualifications easier to inspect.
The synthesis grid
| Point | Source A | Source B | Source C | Relation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast fashion creates environmental pressure. | Yes | Yes | Yes | SAME |
| Policy and regulation are part of the response. | Strong focus | Minor focus | Minor focus | DIFF |
| Keeping clothes in use longer can reduce waste. | Present | Present | Strong focus | ADDS |
| The source uses video and campaign language. | No | Yes | No | DIFF |
Your turn: Add one new row based on the sources. Your row must use SAME, ADDS or DIFF.
From notes to synthesis
A useful structure is:
- Claim: State the shared idea.
- Connect: Show which sources support it.
- Add or contrast: Bring in a new angle or difference.
- Conclude: Explain what the sources show together.
Model:
Both Sources A and B present fast fashion as an environmental problem. Source A supports this with EU consumption and waste data, while Source B uses a campaign video to make the consequences visible. Source C adds a stronger solutions perspective by focusing on circular models such as reuse, rental and repair. Taken together, the sources suggest that change involves both consumer behaviour and wider changes in production, design and policy.
Notice: The paragraph is organised by ideas, not by “Source A … Source B … Source C …”.
Language toolkit
| Function | Useful English |
|---|---|
| Show agreement | Both A and B show that ... / A and C agree that ... |
| Add information | C adds that ... / Another important point is ... |
| Show a different focus | Unlike B, A focuses on ... / C places more emphasis on ... |
| Combine evidence | Taken together, the sources suggest that ... |
| Refer carefully | The source reports ... / The video argues ... / The article highlights ... |
| Hedge | This suggests ... / This may indicate ... / The evidence does not show ... |
Functional grammar: Use the present simple for source content: The article explains ... Use contrast linkers accurately: while, whereas, however, unlike. Use reporting verbs that match the source: reports for information, argues for a position, suggests for a cautious interpretation.
Kontextwortschatz
| Word | Short meaning | Use it |
|---|---|---|
| source | where information comes from | a reliable source |
| evidence | information that supports a claim | evidence for a point |
| claim | a statement that can be checked | verify a claim |
| perspective | a particular way of viewing a topic | a consumer perspective |
| overlap | information shared by sources | identify overlap |
| contrast | a meaningful difference | contrast two sources |
| reliable | trustworthy for the task | a reliable institution |
| bias | a tendency that may shape presentation | check for bias |
| circular | designed to keep materials in use | a circular model |
Aussprache: be clear, not accent-free
Practise the stressed syllable in these words:
- SYN-the-sise
- e-VI-dence
- per-SPEC-tive
- re-LI-a-ble
- con-TRAST
Say one synthesis sentence slowly, then at normal speed. Aim for clear word stress and meaningful pauses. Intelligibility matters more than accent imitation.
Speaking: 60-second synthesis
In pairs, prepare a 60-second answer:
What do the three sources together suggest about fast fashion?
Your answer must contain:
- one shared point,
- one added point,
- one difference in focus,
- one source signal such as According to Source A ....
After speaking, your partner gives feedback using: clear link – useful evidence – next step.
Writing: your synthesis paragraph
Write 120–150 words answering:
How do the three sources explain the problem of fast fashion and possible responses?
Requirements:
- Use information from at least two sources; three is better if each adds value.
- Include at least one SAME connection and one ADDS or DIFF connection.
- Use source signals.
- Do not invent statistics or claims.
- End with one sentence that shows what the sources reveal together.
Do not copy full sentences from the sources. Paraphrase, keep the meaning accurate and name the source.
Mediation: purpose before translation
A German student council is planning a clothes-swap event and needs a short German briefing based on the English sources.
Task: In 70–90 German words, communicate only the information that helps the council explain why the event matters and which wider changes also matter.
Do not translate the sources. Select, adapt and explain for the audience.
Source criticism: trust, purpose, limits
Datei:Wikimedia UK's Information Literacy work.webm
Ask five questions:
- Who created the source?
- Why was it created?
- What evidence is visible or linked?
- How current is it for the task?
- What perspective is missing?
A reliable source can still have a purpose or perspective. Source criticism is not “trust / do not trust”; it is checking how well a source supports your task. Avoid cultural stereotypes: describe what the evidence supports, not what you assume about a group or country.
Quick fact-check routine
Stop – check – compare – decide.
- Stop before repeating a strong claim.
- Check the creator and original context.
- Compare the claim with another credible source.
- Decide how confidently you can use it.
If a teacher provides an AI-generated summary, treat it as a starting point, not as evidence. Check claims against the original source, keep your own wording and record meaningful revisions. Do not send private recordings, personal data or unpublished work to external AI services without permission.
Help: choose the scaffold you need
Support A – sentence frame: Both A and B show that ___. Source C adds that ___. Unlike ___, ___ focuses on ___. Taken together, the sources suggest ___.
Support B – note code: S = same, + = adds, D = different focus, ? = needs checking.
Support C – challenge: Explain whether the sources complement each other because of different medium, purpose, evidence or perspective.
Feedback and revision
Use this short peer checklist:
- Is the answer organised by ideas?
- Are at least two sources connected in the same sentence or idea group?
- Is every statistic or specific claim linked to a source?
- Does the writer distinguish shared points from additions or differences?
- Is the final sentence a synthesis, not a repetition?
Revision move: Change at least two things after feedback: one content link and one language choice.
Fehleranalyse: fix the weak synthesis
Weak version: Source A is about fast fashion. Source B is a video. Source C is about recycling. Fast fashion is very bad and everyone should stop buying clothes.
Find four problems. Possible categories: source-by-source structure – vague language – unsupported claim – missing evidence – missing connection – overgeneralisation.
Then rewrite the passage in 60–80 words. Keep the idea accurate and evidence-based.
Transfer: a new set of sources
Use the same method on a new school-relevant topic such as screen time, school start times or sustainable travel.
- Choose two or three short English sources with different formats or perspectives.
- Build a SAME–ADDS–DIFF grid.
- Check creator, purpose, evidence and date.
- Produce a 120-word synthesis for a named audience.
- Revise after feedback.
Do not choose rare vocabulary to make the task look harder. The challenge is selection, connection and judgement.
Can-do check
Rate each statement: Yes – Almost – Not yet.
| Can-do | Yes | Almost | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can find the main idea quickly. | |||
| I can connect information across two or three sources. | |||
| I can mark SAME, ADDS and DIFF. | |||
| I can evaluate source purpose and evidence. | |||
| I can write a coherent synthesis paragraph. | |||
| I can revise my text after feedback. |
Next step: E10 E - Evaluating source credibility and bias
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
What is the main purpose of a synthesis? (To combine relevant ideas from different sources into one coherent answer) (!To translate every source completely) (!To list all unknown words) (!To copy the longest source)
Which sentence best shows agreement between sources? (Both A and B show that textile waste is a problem.) (!Source A comes before Source B.) (!Source C has three paragraphs.) (!The video has background music.)
What does ADDS mean in the synthesis grid? (One source contributes a useful point that extends the others.) (!All sources use exactly the same words.) (!A source must be deleted.) (!A source has no creator.)
Which phrase clearly introduces a difference in focus? (Unlike Source B, Source C focuses on circular solutions.) (!Source C is a source.) (!There are three sources.) (!I read the text yesterday.)
What should you do before using a strong factual claim? (Check the creator, context and evidence and compare it with another credible source.) (!Repeat it because it sounds confident.) (!Translate it word for word.) (!Remove the source name.)
Which note-taking strategy supports synthesis best? (Group notes by shared ideas, additions and differences.) (!Write one full translation for each source.) (!Copy every sentence in source order.) (!Only record difficult vocabulary.)
Why can a reliable source still need critical reading? (Because its purpose and perspective can shape what it emphasises.) (!Because reliable sources never use evidence.) (!Because every source is equally unreliable.) (!Because only videos can be trusted.)
Which reporting verb is most cautious? (suggests) (!proves) (!orders) (!guarantees)
What is the best final move in a synthesis paragraph? (State what the sources show together.) (!Add an unrelated new topic.) (!Repeat the first sentence word for word.) (!List every source title again.)
What does good mediation require? (Selecting and adapting information for a purpose and audience.) (!Translating every word.) (!Keeping every detail regardless of relevance.) (!Avoiding any reference to the audience.)
Memory
| synthesis | combining information into one coherent answer |
| evidence | support for a claim |
| overlap | information shared by sources |
| perspective | a particular way of viewing a topic |
| paraphrase | expressing the same meaning in your own words |
| source signal | wording that shows where information comes from |
| contrast | a meaningful difference |
| reliability | how trustworthy a source is for a task |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| Understand | Identify the main idea of each source. |
| Compare | Mark same points, additions and differences. |
| Check | Evaluate creator, purpose, evidence and date. |
| Write | Organise the answer by ideas and signal sources. |
| Revise | Improve content links and language after feedback. |
Kreuzworträtsel
| evidence | What supports a claim? |
| overlap | What do we call information shared by two sources? |
| source | Where does information come from? |
| contrast | What is a meaningful difference between sources? |
| paraphrase | What do we call expressing source meaning in your own words? |
| reliable | Which adjective means trustworthy for a task? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Headline challenge: Give each of the three sources a five-word English headline.
- Visual synthesis: Draw a three-part SAME–ADDS–DIFF organiser and place six source notes in it.
- Source signals: Write six different source-signal sentences using the course sources.
- One-minute talk: Give a 60-second synthesis using one shared point and one addition.
Standard
- Synthesis paragraph: Write 120–150 words on fast fashion using at least two sources and revise it once after peer feedback.
- Media comparison: Compare how the UNEP video and the European Parliament page create credibility and emphasis.
- Mediation task: Prepare a 70–90-word German briefing for a fictional school clothes-swap team; select only relevant information.
- Source check: Verify one concrete claim from a course source with a second credible English-language source and document your steps.
Schwer
- Perspective gap: Identify one important perspective missing from the three sources and find a suitable short English source that could add it.
- Balanced synthesis: Write 150–180 words that include agreement, an addition, a difference in focus and one limitation of the source set.
- Mini explainer: Create a one-slide or one-page visual explainer that combines evidence from three sources without copying source sentences.
- Transfer synthesis: Choose a new school-relevant issue, use two or three short English sources, build a source grid and produce a revised synthesis for a defined audience.
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Lernkontrolle
- Evidence connection: Use two unfamiliar short sources and explain which two claims can be combined and why.
- Source purpose: Compare how two media formats shape emphasis; support your answer with concrete features.
- Missing perspective: Identify a relevant viewpoint that is absent from a source set and explain how it could change the synthesis.
- Revision task: Improve a weak synthesis so that it is organised by ideas, uses source signals and avoids unsupported claims.
- Transfer writing: Produce a concise synthesis for a specified audience, then justify one selection and one omission.
- Source judgement: Explain which evidence in a source is directly usable, which needs checking and which is irrelevant to the task.
Lernnachweis
For a successful learning record, show that you can:
- understand the gist and key evidence in two or three short English sources,
- connect ideas as SAME, ADDS or DIFF,
- distinguish source content from your own interpretation,
- evaluate creator, purpose, evidence, date and missing perspectives,
- write a coherent synthesis with accurate source signals,
- mediate selected information for purpose and audience instead of translating everything,
- revise your work after feedback and explain at least one meaningful change.
The learning record should contain only material you are allowed to use. Personal recordings are optional and private. Any profile, application or identity used in practice must be fictional.
OERs zum Thema
Datei:Media and Information literacy.pdf
Weitere freie und seriöse Medien
Media prompt: After viewing, write one sentence on fact vs opinion and one sentence on why comparing sources matters.
Quellenbasis und Curriculum-Bezug
This aiMOOC is aligned with the Baden-Württemberg curriculum area Englisch als erste Fremdsprache, Klasse 10, E-Niveau, especially independent note-taking, summarising, relating heard and seen information, analysing media effects and using English-language sources while evaluating reliability and respecting copyright.
- Bildungsplan Baden-Württemberg – Klasse 10, Text- und Medienkompetenz
- European Parliament – Fast fashion
- UN Environment Programme – Fast fashion video
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Fashion and the circular economy
- Wikimedia Commons – Venn diagram
- Wikimedia Commons – Research infographic
- Wikimedia Commons – source-checking infographic
Verknüpfte Lernbereiche