PSAT Critical Reading

Master the skills to understand, analyze, and interpret reading passages on the PSAT.

Understanding Passage TypesFinding Main IdeasMaking Inferences
Analyzing Author's Purpose and ToneInterpreting Evidence and DataUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Applying Critical Reading in Everyday LifeEvaluating Arguments and ClaimsSynthesizing Information from Multiple Sources
Active Reading TechniquesTime Management on the TestEliminating Wrong Answers
Understanding Passag...Finding Main IdeasMaking InferencesAnalyzing Author's P...Interpreting Evidenc...Understanding Vocabu...Applying Critical Re...Evaluating Arguments...Synthesizing Informa...Active Reading Techn...Time Management on t...Eliminating Wrong An...
Advanced Topics

Analyzing Author's Purpose and Tone

Understanding Why and How

Authors write with a purpose: to inform, persuade, entertain, or express. Identifying the author’s purpose helps you understand the passage’s direction.

Tone is the author’s attitude—serious, sarcastic, hopeful, or critical. Clues include word choice, punctuation, and even sentence length.

Steps to Analyze

  • Ask, “Why did the author write this?”
  • Spot emotional or strong language.
  • Compare how different authors might cover the same topic.

Real-World Application

In news articles, social media, or advertising, recognizing purpose and tone helps you spot bias and understand messages deeply.

Examples

  • A passage uses playful words and jokes—tone is humorous, purpose is to entertain.

  • A speech highlights data and urgent language—tone is passionate, purpose is to persuade.

In a Nutshell

Spotting purpose and tone uncovers what the author aims to do and how they feel about the topic.

Key Terms

Bias
A tendency to favor one side or viewpoint.
Persuade
To convince someone to agree or act.
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Interpreting Evidence and Data