Glossary
Anecdotes
Short, personal stories or accounts used to illustrate a point or make an argument more relatable.
Example:
The author included a heartwarming anecdote about a student's success to highlight the benefits of the new educational program.
Areas of Contention
Specific topics or issues where there is significant dispute or strong disagreement between authors.
Example:
The primary areas of contention in the scientific community revolved around the precise mechanisms of climate change.
Central Idea
The main point or argument that an author is trying to convey in a passage.
Example:
Identifying the central idea of each passage is the first step to understanding how they relate to each other.
Close Reading
A careful, detailed analysis of a text to understand its nuances, structure, and the author's specific choices.
Example:
Through close reading, you can identify subtle differences in the authors' arguments that might otherwise be missed.
Common Ground
Shared beliefs, values, or understandings between authors, forming a basis for their discussion or potential agreement.
Example:
The two seemingly disparate articles found common ground in their shared concern for future generations.
Complementary Information
Details or perspectives from different texts that add to or complete each other, rather than contradicting.
Example:
One passage described the history of space exploration, while the other provided complementary information on its future technologies.
Conflicting Views
Perspectives or opinions that are in direct opposition to each other, leading to a debate or contrast.
Example:
The debate highlighted the conflicting views on economic policy held by the two political candidates.
Counterarguments
Arguments or objections that oppose an author's main claim, which the author may address or refute.
Example:
The author effectively addressed potential counterarguments by acknowledging opposing views and then providing evidence to refute them.
Cross-Text Connections
The ability to understand how different texts relate to each other, often by discussing the same subject from varied perspectives.
Example:
On the SAT, you might analyze how two articles on climate change present cross-text connections by discussing different solutions.
Evidence
Facts, examples, statistics, or other information used by an author to support their claims or arguments.
Example:
The author used compelling statistical evidence to support their argument about economic trends.
Expert Opinions
Statements or views from individuals recognized as authorities in a particular field, used to lend credibility to an argument.
Example:
The article cited several expert opinions from leading economists to bolster its claims about market stability.
Explicit Statements
Ideas or information that are directly and clearly stated in the text, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Example:
The author's explicit statements about the benefits of exercise left no doubt about their stance.
Facts and Statistics
Objective, verifiable data and numerical information used to support an argument.
Example:
The report relied heavily on facts and statistics to demonstrate the rising global temperatures.
Fallacies (in reasoning)
Flaws in logic that make an argument unsound or invalid, even if it appears persuasive.
Example:
The advertisement used a common fallacy by implying that popularity alone makes a product superior.
Gaps (in reasoning)
Missing steps or leaps in logic within an author's argument that weaken its persuasiveness.
Example:
The critic pointed out several gaps in the politician's reasoning, making their proposal seem less feasible.
Historical Examples
References to past events or figures used to provide context, illustrate a point, or support an argument.
Example:
To explain the concept of civil disobedience, the author provided historical examples from the Civil Rights Movement.
Implicit Messages
Ideas or meanings that are suggested or hinted at in the text, rather than being directly stated, requiring inference.
Example:
While not directly stated, the author's choice of words conveyed an implicit message of caution regarding new technologies.
Inconsistencies (in reasoning)
Contradictions or conflicting statements within an author's argument that undermine its coherence.
Example:
The report contained inconsistencies in its data presentation, raising doubts about its overall accuracy.
Literary References
Allusions or direct citations from works of literature, used to enrich an argument or draw parallels.
Example:
The essay on human nature cleverly wove in literary references to classic novels like '1984' to make its point.
Main Purpose
The primary reason an author wrote a particular passage, such as to inform, persuade, or entertain.
Example:
Understanding the main purpose of each passage helps determine if the authors are trying to convince you of something or just present facts.
Opposing Viewpoints
Perspectives presented in different texts that are in direct conflict or disagreement with each other.
Example:
The two authors presented opposing viewpoints on the effectiveness of standardized testing in education.
Paired Passages
Two distinct texts presented together in the SAT Reading and Writing section that address a similar topic or theme.
Example:
A common SAT question type involves comparing the arguments made in paired passages about the impact of social media.
Points of Agreement
Specific ideas, facts, or conclusions that two or more authors share or concur on.
Example:
Despite their overall differences, both passages found points of agreement on the necessity of environmental protection.
Points of Disagreement
Specific ideas, interpretations, or conclusions where two or more authors hold differing or conflicting views.
Example:
The primary points of disagreement between the two historians centered on the interpretation of key historical documents.
Reasoning
The logical process an author uses to connect evidence to their claims and draw conclusions.
Example:
Evaluate the reasoning of each author to determine whose argument is more logical and persuasive.
Relationship (between passages)
How two or more passages connect or interact with each other, such as agreeing, disagreeing, or providing different facets of a topic.
Example:
Determining the relationship between the passages is crucial for answering questions about their shared topic.
Rhetorical Devices
Techniques used by authors to persuade, inform, or evoke an emotional response in their audience, such as metaphors, analogies, or rhetorical questions.
Example:
The speaker effectively used rhetorical devices like repetition to emphasize their key message during the debate.
Style
The distinctive way an author writes, encompassing their word choice, sentence structure, and use of literary devices.
Example:
The author's formal style in the scientific article contrasted sharply with the informal language of the personal essay.
Theme
An underlying message or universal idea explored throughout a text, often abstract and applicable beyond the specific context.
Example:
While one passage might discuss specific historical events, its deeper theme could be the enduring struggle for justice.
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and writing style.
Example:
One passage had an optimistic tone about technological advancements, while the other maintained a cautious one.
Topic
The general subject matter that a passage or set of passages is about.
Example:
Both passages discussed the topic of renewable energy, though they focused on different aspects of it.