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SAT (Fall 2023)
Course: SAT (Fall 2023) > Unit 4
Lesson 2: Inside the SAT Reading TestThe SAT Reading Test: Rhetoric
Details about Rhetoric on the Reading Test
What is rhetoric?
One definition of the word rhetoric is “the study of writing or speaking.” Rhetoric questions on the Reading Test assess how well you understand the choices that authors make as they structure and develop their texts to convey meaning.
A note on the images in this article: all Reading Test items will be associated with a passage, but the passages are not included here. Each question pictured is just one example of how items in that category can look.
Some sub-topics within rhetoric:
Analyzing word choice.
Questions will ask you to determine how specific words or phrases or the use of patterns of words and phrases creates meaning and tone in the passage.
Analyzing text structure.
Questions focus on the overall structure of a text and on analysis of the relationship between a particular part of the text (e.g., a sentence) and the whole text.
Analyzing point of view.
Questions will ask you to determine the point of view or perspective from which a passage is told, or identify the influence this point of view or perspective has on content and style.
Analyzing purpose.
Questions will ask you to determine the main purpose of a text (typically, one or more paragraphs).
Analyzing arguments.
Questions will ask you to analyze arguments for their content and structure.
You will not need to know these types of questions by name for the test, but this list gives you an idea of some of the question types you will encounter.
Want to practice your rhetorical analysis skills? Start here!
Attributions
This article was adapted from the following sources:
“Test Specifications for the Redesigned SAT” from The College Board.
“SAT Practice Tests” from The College Board.
Want to join the conversation?
In analyzing arguments questions, isn't there a faster and easier way rather than reading the whole passage? because when i do, read the whole passage, I mess up everything and waste a lot of time and most likely answer the question wrongly(11 votes)
For argumentative passages it's important to know the main point and what the author uses to prove that main point. So just read those parts (bits of the evidence and the conclusion, introduction wherever the main point is clearly presented).(12 votes)
How can i increase my reading speed(5 votes)- Leave the passage and move on to the question start from straight forward ones and then move accordingly by the time you reach what's the main idea question you can answer it for sure.(5 votes)
What's the difference between Rhetoric- Analyzing purpose/Analyzing Arguments and Information and Ideas- Determining Central Ideas and Themes?(3 votes)- Rhetoric is how the author structures the questions so it would be a question like an author use this to portray... The Information and Idea questions will usually test the question: The main idea of the passage is...(2 votes)
- Is it allowed to take notes on sat papers where contents are written?(2 votes)
Yes. In fact, this is the only place where you can write on for the SAT, no outside scratch paper is allowed. There should be more than enough space though.(3 votes)
- What is rhetoric? The art of effective or persuasive(3 votes)
Rhetoric is essentially the art of being effect and sarcastic. I hope that transparently answered your question...(0 votes)
- For argumentative passages it's important to know the main point and what the author uses to prove that main point. So just read those parts (bits of the evidence and the conclusion, introduction wherever the main point is clearly presented).(2 votes)
If I'm not able to understand a passage and I'm not able to solve the questions because of that, what should I do?(1 vote)- If during the test, you find yourself unable to understand a passage, focus on the detail-based questions first, such as ones containing line references. These don't really require you to have an understanding of the passage as a whole, so you can get by with those. Afterwards, perhaps your analysis of those details may have clued you in to the main point of the passage as a whole.
Another thing you can do is to analyze other parts of the answers that don't require an understanding of the passage. Is it a sweeping generalization? Does it have a strong opinion, and is the passage neutral? If so, that answer choice is likely to be wrong. Pick up a couple general rules like these to put into your SAT toolbox. (Try not to use these tricks by themselves to eliminate answers; they're really just guidelines and could potentially be violated at any time)(2 votes)
- where can i find the grammar rules of SAT in khan academy?(1 vote)
there is a grammar section under "arts and humanities".(1 vote)
When It commes to argumentative passages, Is It best for me to understand the reading in the narrators point of view?(1 vote)- In analyzing arguments questions, isn't there a faster and easier way rather than reading the whole passage? because when i do, read the whole passage, I mess up everything and waste a lot of time and most likely answer the question wrongly(1 vote)
