Rashmi Korukonda
Rashmi Korukonda
ACT 🎒
53 resourcesSee Units
Hey there, ✨ future ACT conqueror ✨! Let's talk about the "Craft and Structure" section in the ACT, specifically in the test's Reading section.
The "Craft and Structure" subsection in the ACT Reading test is a fascinating journey into the heart of written texts. It assesses your ability to analyze and understand the structure and components of passages. Here, you'll explore word meanings, examine the author's word choices, and decode the passage's overall organization.
You'll encounter questions about author's purpose, point of view, word choice, and the impact of specific sentences or paragraphs on the overall meaning. Preparing for this section involves practicing close reading skills and identifying key elements within passages to answer questions accurately.
It makes up 25-30% of the Reading section, which is about 10-12 questions - given that the ACT Reading portion has 40 questions. And yes, this might look a bit intimidating, but don't worry! This guide will make sure that everything is crystal clear by the time you finish reading it! 🔮
Now, put on your detective cap, and get ready to become a master of literary analysis!
Tips and Tricks
Image Courtesy of EdTech Methods
When encountering questions on this section, here are some ways to make sure that you're on the right track:
- 📝 Active Reading: Engage with the passage actively. Take notes, underline key points, and jot down your thoughts as you read. Stay focused and attentive!
- 🤨 Context Clues: When encountering unfamiliar words, use context clues to infer their meanings. Understanding the context helps you decipher the author's intent.
- 📣 Identify Tone and Purpose: Observe the author's tone and purpose throughout the passage. Is it persuasive, informative, or entertaining? Understanding this helps you grasp the main message.
- 🏃 Skim and Scan: Quickly skim the passage before answering questions to get an overview. Later, scan specific parts for evidence to support your answers.
Question Types
According to the ACT website, there are 7 types of questions you'll want to keep an eye out on the "Craft and Structure" subsection.
- Determine Word and Phrase Meanings: Identify the meanings of specific words or phrases based on context.
- Analyze Author's Word Choice Rhetorically: Understand how the author's word choices contribute to the passage's tone and impact.
- Analyze Text Structure: Examine the passage's organization, including paragraphs, headings, and transitions.
- Understand Author's Purpose and Perspective: Determine the author's intention and viewpoint in writing the passage.
- Analyze Characters’ Points of View: Recognize the perspectives of characters mentioned in the passage.
- Interpret Authorial Decisions Rhetorically: Investigate the author's use of literary devices and rhetorical techniques.
- Differentiate Between Various Perspectives and Sources of Information: Compare and contrast different viewpoints or sources mentioned in the passage.
🔍 Zooming in on "Determine Word and Phrase Meanings" (Word Detective Mode):
Become a linguistic sleuth! 🕵️♂️ When encountering unfamiliar words or phrases, carefully examine the context in which they appear. Look for clues in the sentences before and after the word. Consider how the word's usage fits the overall theme of the passage. Sometimes, a single word can change the entire meaning of a sentence, like a hidden key unlocking a treasure trove of comprehension.
Example: "The protagonist's indomitable spirit throughout the hardships inspired her companions."
Indomitable means unconquerable or unwavering. To determine this, you can look to the other parts of the sentence. Even though you might not know what "indomitable" means, this skill can help you out. In this sentence, "indomitable" describes the protagonist's spirit as it inspires her comrades during hard times. With this background, you can make out that "indomitable" means something along the lines of strong-willed since that'd be the kind of personality getting people through struggles.
🔍 Zooming in on "Analyze Author's Word Choice Rhetorically" (Word Connoisseur):
Embrace the role of a word connoisseur! 🎨 Delve into the author's selection of words and their impact on the passage. Identify adjectives, adverbs, and powerful verbs that create vivid imagery or convey strong emotions. A single well-chosen word can be a brushstroke on the canvas of the reader's imagination, painting an unforgettable scene.
Example: "The eerie silence enveloped the dark forest, evoking a sense of trepidation in the lone traveler."
In this example, the author employs the words "eerie" and "trepidation" to set a specific tone and mood in the passage. The word "eerie" suggests something spooky, mysterious, or unsettling, creating an atmosphere of fear and tension. Additionally, "trepidation" means a feeling of apprehension or anxiety, indicating that the lone traveler is experiencing a sense of unease or nervousness in the dark forest. By using these words, the author successfully influences the reader's emotions, generating a sense of fear and unease as we imagine the traveler's predicament in the eerie and foreboding environment.
🔍 Zooming in on "Analyze Text Structure" (Structure Architect):
Assume the role of an architectural explorer! 🏛️ Investigate how the author organizes the passage, focusing on the arrangement of paragraphs, transitions, and headings. Look for patterns that illuminate the flow of ideas and the overall purpose of each section. Understanding the passage's structure is like having a map that guides you through its depths.
Example: In a passage about climate change, the author may use a cause-effect structure, where one paragraph explains the causes of global warming, followed by another paragraph that explores its consequences. This structure reveals how specific actions lead to significant environmental impacts, illuminating the passage's central theme.
🔍 Zooming in on "Understand Author's Purpose and Perspective" (Purpose Seeker):
Channel your inner detective! 🧐 Scrutinize the author's words and the tone of the passage to discern their purpose and perspective. Look for subtle cues that reveal whether the author seeks to inform, persuade, entertain, or challenge the reader. Uncovering the author's purpose is akin to deciphering the motivation behind a thrilling plot twist.
Example: In a passage advocating for animal rights, the author's purpose might be to persuade readers to support ethical treatment of animals. The use of emotional language and vivid descriptions evokes empathy and compels readers to take action, fostering an emotional connection between the reader and the cause.
🔍 Zooming in on "Analyze Characters’ Points of View" (Character Observer):
Don the hat of a character analyst! 👤 Pay attention to how different characters in the passage perceive events or situations. Explore their thoughts, emotions, and motivations to understand how they contribute to the passage's central theme. Analyzing characters' points of view offers valuable insights into their roles in the narrative.
Example: In a historical passage about a significant event, the perspective of a political leader might focus on the potential impact on the nation's stability, while the perspective of a common citizen may emphasize the event's effect on their daily life. These distinct viewpoints enrich the passage, providing a multi-dimensional exploration of the event.
🔍 Zooming in on "Interpret Authorial Decisions Rhetorically" (Rhetorical Decoder):
Unleash the rhetorician within! 🎭 Dive into the passage to identify literary devices, figurative language, and rhetorical techniques employed by the author. Interpret how these choices enhance the passage's persuasive power or artistic expression, like discovering the brushstrokes that create a masterpiece.
Example: The author's use of a metaphor, "Her laughter was a melody," compares the woman's laughter to a beautiful tune. This metaphor infuses the passage with a musical quality, conveying the idea that her laughter was delightful and resonated in a harmonious way, enchanting those who heard it.
🔍 Zooming in on "Differentiate Between Various Perspectives and Sources of Information" (Perspective Analyzer):
Put on your analytical glasses! 👓 Carefully compare and contrast different viewpoints or sources mentioned in the passage. Investigate how these perspectives present varying interpretations of the subject matter, shedding light on the complexities of the topic.
Example: In a debate passage on climate change, two scientists may present differing viewpoints on the causes and solutions. One scientist might emphasize the impact of human activities, while the other focuses on natural factors. These contrasting perspectives provoke critical thinking and inspire readers to consider multiple viewpoints.
Conclusion
The "Craft and Structure" section challenges you to become a literary detective. Use active reading, context clues, and an understanding of tone to unravel the text's hidden gems. Master word meanings like a word sleuth and appreciate the art of rhetoric like a word connoisseur. By mastering these skills, you'll shine brightly on the ACT Reading test and navigate passages with ease! 📚
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