Identifying
Source or Genre
Learn to recognize where a passage comes from and what type of writing it represents: the key to unlocking reading comprehension questions on the SSAT.
What Is Genre?
A genre is a category or type of writing. Just as music has genres like rock, jazz, and classical, writing has genres like fiction, poetry, biography, and science articles. Each genre follows its own rules, tone, and structure.
What Is a Source?
A source is the specific place a passage originally appeared. Think of genre as the category and source as the exact location. A passage might belong to the genre of nonfiction and come from a source like a textbook, newspaper, or encyclopedia.
Why Does Identification Matter?
Knowing the genre or source helps you predict the author's purpose, adjust your reading strategy, and answer questions about tone, structure, and intent. On the SSAT, this skill appears in nearly every reading section.
The Genre Map
The Signal Words Rule
Every genre leaves clues in its language. We call these signal words: specific words, phrases, and structures that point to a particular genre or source. Learning to spot them is the core skill.
Genre Clues at a Glance
Genre vs. Source: Key Distinction
| Genre | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Category of writing | Specific publication type |
| Example | Nonfiction | Science magazine |
| Question phrasing | "This passage is best described as..." | "This passage most likely comes from..." |
| Focus | Tone, structure, purpose | Audience, format, publication |
How to Identify in 4 Steps
Example 1: Spotting Fiction
Example 2: Spotting Nonfiction
Example 3: Tricky Source
This passage has both fiction-like features (vivid description, sensory details) and nonfiction features (first person "I," a specific year, a real-seeming memory). What is it?
Source Fingerprints
Tone and Purpose as Clues
When signal words are not enough, tone (the author's attitude) and purpose (why the author wrote it) can help you narrow down the source.
Common Mistakes
Quick Reference Table
| Source | Key Signal Words | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Novel / Short Story | character names, dialogue, plot | Entertain |
| Textbook | definitions, headings, review questions | Inform / Teach |
| Newspaper | headline, dateline, who/what/where | Inform / Report |
| Speech | "we must," "my fellow," emotional appeal | Persuade |
| Poem | stanzas, rhyme, imagery, line breaks | Express |
| Memoir / Diary | first person, real events, dates | Express / Reflect |
| Encyclopedia | neutral, broad, third person | Inform / Define |
Question 1 of 5
"The cells of the human body require oxygen to produce energy. When we breathe in, oxygen enters the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. The heart then pumps this oxygen-rich blood to every tissue and organ."
This passage is most likely from:
Question 2 of 5
"JULIET: O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
This passage is best described as:
Question 3 of 5
"I remember the day we moved to the small house on Elm Street. I was only seven, and the world seemed enormous. Mother held my hand as we walked through the front gate, and I could smell fresh paint and the sweet scent of honeysuckle."
This passage most likely comes from:
Question 4 of 5
"WASHINGTON, D.C. - The President announced a new plan today to increase funding for public schools. The initiative, which will provide an additional $2 billion over five years, was praised by education leaders across the country."
This passage is most likely from:
Question 5 of 5
"The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on."
This passage is best described as: