Author's purpose and structure
Ask why the author included something and how the passage is organized.
The rules
- Purpose words: to describe, explain, argue, compare, criticize, illustrate, question.
- For "why does the author mention X" questions, find what the sentences before and after are doing. X usually supports that.
- Structure: what does each paragraph do (introduce, give an example, add a counterpoint, conclude)?
- Pick the choice that names the function, not just the content.
Watch out: Describing what a detail says instead of what it does.
Worked example
An author mentions that a lake froze solid in 1936, right after claiming winters are warming. Why?
- The example is set against the claim.
- Its job is to provide a contrast.
- The function, not the fact, is the answer.
Answer: To contrast an unusual past event with the claimed trend.
Try it yourself
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