SAT Reading / Rhetorical Analysis

Author's Purpose

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toneThe author’s attitude toward a topic, shown through word choice, like admiring, doubtful, or urgent.

You’ll leave with these skills

Tell what a sentence says apart from what it doesLook for “for instance,” “however,” or “but” at the start of a sentence to see whether it gives an example, pushes back, or limits what came before.
Cover exactly as much of the passage as the question asks aboutCheck whether the question says “main purpose of the text” or “the underlined sentence,” and pick a choice that covers that much of the passage.
Tell close purpose verbs like “challenge” and “limit” apartSay in your own words what the author is doing, then check that the first verb in your choice describes that same action.
Spot purpose choices that sound accurate but miss the author’s jobCross out a choice that only repeats a fact from the passage or says the author proves something the passage only suggests.

207 lessons that teach every skill the SAT tests