2.  Find the clear statement of argument or thesis  Identify the kind of argument being made  Vivid language or vivid metaphors  Mark shifts in point of view or tone  Parallel syntax  Underline unknown words with context clues  Bold claims or false statements  CONTROL THE PASSAGE; DON’T LET IT CONTROL YOU!

3.  Answer every question in which you can eliminate at least one or two answers  Leave blank answers you don’t have time to finish  Context clue ◦ Often times the unknown word will be placed with a passage with a certain image; that should be enough to give you a clue as to the answer  Questions are sequential from the beginning of the passage to the end, not from easiest to hardest

4.  Pronoun antecedents ◦ “It refers to which of the following nouns?” ◦ To answer this question, substitute each word in its place  Familiar but unfamiliar vocabulary ◦ “In colonial times, it was important to husband the food supply during the winter.” ◦ “our future would be better insured if we carefully husband our natural resources.” ◦ Best answer: to use, to marry, to conserve to waste or to join?

5.  Roman Numeral Questions ◦ Consider the Roman Numerals FIRST. Decide which ones are correct, then move to the A, B, C choices OR Find the Roman Numeral you know is wrong and then eliminate those answers  Figures of Speech ◦ Questions clarify an unknown with something that is known and add a layer of meaning ◦ “The new CEO entered the board room with the flair of a matador”  This analogy makes all of the following inferences EXCEPT: A. The new CEO is the center of attention. B. The new CEO is in a high risk profession. C. The new CEO faces a substantial opposition from others. D. The new CEO exudes power and strategy. E. The new CEO is an effective delegator of responsibility

6.  Main Idea Stems ◦ “the author’s primary focus” ◦ “The intent of the passage” ◦ “The anticipated outcome of the argument” ◦ Don’t be fooled by the partial idea distractor  Tone/Mood questions ◦ Defined by connotation/diction or imagery ◦ Review your tone words and know them for the test

7.  Footnotes can: ◦ Identify a source ◦ Define terms ◦ Add facts or details ◦ Clarify confusion ◦ Set the record straight READ FOOTNOTES!

8.  Parallel Syntax ◦ Provides good momentum, gives drive and energy  Rhetorical Questions ◦ The reader is being manipulated into giving the answer the writer wants ◦ Function as transitions ◦ Organizational techniques from discussion to solution

9.  Clauses and Phrases ◦ Clauses are either dependent (fragments added on) or independent (full sentences added on) ◦ Phrases do not have verbs ◦ Think about what the clause and phrase is doing for the writer to the reader ◦ Track this with punctuation  Commas= “add ons” that are dependent; usually to clarify, provide examples, or add more context/description  Semicolons = “add ons” that are independent; usually of equal value  Dash = interrupts a thought with more info, not necessarily related to precious thought  Parenthesis = Creates an “aside” moment that provides an additional thought from the author

10.  Loose Sentence ◦ Independent clause followed by a dependent clause ◦ Sentence reaches syntactical closure early ◦ Relieves tension and allows the reader to explore the rest of the sentence without urgency.  Periodic Sentence ◦ Dependent Clause followed by an Independent Clause ◦ carry high tension and interest ◦ Reader must wait until the end of the sentence to understand the meaning. ◦ There is no “closure” until the end of the sentence.

11.  Read and annotate the question stem ◦ Underline words like “except, best, primarily” ◦ Make sure you know what each question is asking  Your answer ◦ Think of an answer before looking at the distractors.  ZAP: Rule out certain answers ◦ Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong. “X” words/phrases/clauses that make answers wrong. ◦ Remember, the entire answer must be right. ◦ “Zero in And Pick” from the answers you have left. ◦ Skip it if you can’t narrow to 2-3 choices.

12.  Remember, the choices have one CORRECT answer and 4 WRONG ones. You run the risk of misreading the passage if you look at these answers.  IF YOU MUST LOOK: glance at the question stems only to avoid confusion.