Key Takeaways
- Author's tone reflects attitude toward the subject - identify through word choice and sentence structure.
- Text structures include cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution, chronological, and description.
- Vocabulary in context questions require using surrounding sentences to determine meaning.
- Rhetorical strategies include appeals to logic (logos), emotion (pathos), and credibility (ethos).
- This content area represents 30% of the Reading subtest (~14-19 questions).
Craft, Structure, and Language Skills
This content area examines HOW authors communicate their ideas. You'll analyze the tools writers use: their tone, text organization, word choices, and persuasive strategies. This represents 30% of the Reading subtest.
Content Area Overview
| Skill | Focus | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Author's Tone | Attitude toward subject/audience | "The author's tone is best described as..." |
| Text Structure | How information is organized | "The passage is primarily organized by..." |
| Vocabulary in Context | Word meaning based on usage | "As used in line X, 'term' most nearly means..." |
| Rhetorical Strategies | Persuasive techniques | "The author uses this example to..." |
Author's Tone and Purpose
Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject matter or audience, revealed through word choice, sentence structure, and details included.
Common Tones in Praxis Passages
| Tone | Description | Signal Words/Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Objective/Neutral | Factual, unbiased | "Research indicates..." "Studies show..." |
| Critical | Questioning, skeptical | "However..." "This overlooks..." "Questionable..." |
| Enthusiastic | Positive, supportive | "Remarkably..." "Excellent..." "Promising..." |
| Cautious | Careful, measured | "May..." "Potentially..." "Further research needed..." |
| Concerned | Worried about an issue | "Troubling..." "Alarming..." "We must address..." |
| Ironic/Satirical | Saying opposite of what's meant | Exaggeration, contradiction |
Author's Purpose
| Purpose | Goal | Typical Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Inform | Provide facts/information | Textbook excerpts, news articles |
| Persuade | Change reader's opinion | Editorials, arguments |
| Entertain | Engage the reader | Narratives, literary passages |
| Explain | Clarify a concept | How-to articles, process descriptions |
Identifying Tone - Strategy
- Note word choices - Are they positive, negative, or neutral?
- Consider what's included - What details does the author emphasize?
- Look for qualifying language - "Perhaps," "certainly," "unfortunately"
- Check the conclusion - The ending often reveals the author's stance
Text Structure
Text structure refers to how authors organize information. Recognizing structure helps you understand relationships between ideas and predict where to find information.
Common Text Structures
| Structure | Description | Signal Words |
|---|---|---|
| Cause and Effect | Shows reasons and results | Because, therefore, as a result, consequently, leads to |
| Compare and Contrast | Shows similarities/differences | However, similarly, on the other hand, unlike, both |
| Problem and Solution | Presents issue and resolution | The problem is, one solution, to address this |
| Chronological/Sequence | Time order or steps | First, then, next, finally, in 1995, after |
| Description | Provides characteristics | For example, such as, including, characterized by |
| Classification | Groups items into categories | Types of, categories, can be divided into |
Structure Identification Strategy
Ask yourself:
- Is time important? (Chronological)
- Are two things being compared? (Compare/Contrast)
- Is there a problem being addressed? (Problem/Solution)
- Does one thing lead to another? (Cause/Effect)
- Is something being described in detail? (Description)
Vocabulary in Context
These questions test your ability to determine word meaning based on how it's used in the passage, not just dictionary definitions.
The Context Clue Strategy
| Clue Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Meaning stated directly | "Pedagogy, or the art of teaching, requires..." |
| Example | Illustrations clarify meaning | "Legumes such as beans, lentils, and peas..." |
| Contrast | Opposite meaning shown | "Unlike the verbose report, her summary was concise." |
| Synonym | Similar word nearby | "The meticulous, careful researcher..." |
| General context | Overall passage meaning | Surrounding sentences suggest meaning |
Vocabulary Question Strategy
- Read the sentence containing the word
- Read surrounding sentences for additional context
- Predict a meaning before looking at choices
- Substitute each choice back into the sentence
- Verify it makes sense with the passage's meaning
Beware of Common Meanings
Many vocabulary questions use words with multiple meanings. The most common definition may not be correct in context.
Example: "The novel approach surprised researchers."
- "Novel" here means "new/innovative," not "a book"
Rhetorical Strategies
Authors use various techniques to make their writing more effective and persuasive.
The Three Appeals (Aristotle's Rhetoric)
| Appeal | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Logos (Logic) | Facts, statistics, reasoning | "Studies show that 78% of participants..." |
| Pathos (Emotion) | Emotional connection | "Imagine a child who can't read..." |
| Ethos (Credibility) | Establishing authority | "As a 20-year veteran teacher..." |
Common Rhetorical Devices
| Device | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Analogy | Comparison to explain | "The brain is like a computer..." |
| Rhetorical question | Question to make a point | "Who wouldn't want their child to succeed?" |
| Repetition | Repeating for emphasis | "We must act now. Now, before it's too late." |
| Anecdote | Brief story | "One student told me that..." |
| Concession | Acknowledging opposing view | "While critics argue X, the evidence shows..." |
| Counterargument | Addressing opposition | "Some may object that..., however..." |
Analyzing Rhetorical Effect
When asked WHY an author uses a particular technique, consider:
- What is the author trying to accomplish?
- How does this technique serve the overall purpose?
- What effect does it have on the reader?
Practice Approach for Craft Questions
- Identify the question type - Tone? Structure? Vocabulary? Rhetoric?
- Return to the passage - Find the specific section referenced
- Analyze word choices - What specific words reveal the answer?
- Consider the context - How does this fit the overall passage?
- Eliminate absolutes - Extreme answers are often wrong
A passage includes the following: "The proposed curriculum changes, while well-intentioned, may create more problems than they solve. Proponents have yet to address the significant implementation challenges facing rural schools." The author's tone is best described as:
A passage begins by describing declining test scores, then discusses research on effective interventions, and concludes with recommended policy changes. This passage is primarily organized using which structure?
In the sentence "The teacher's animated presentation kept students engaged throughout the lesson," the word "animated" most nearly means:
An author writes: "Consider Maria, a first-generation college student who works two jobs while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Her story is not unique - thousands of students face similar challenges." The author uses this example primarily to: