Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: Learn to recognize and tackle different types of reading passages on the SSAT.
## Dive Into Different Reading Passages
On the SSAT Upper Level Reading section, you’ll encounter a variety of passage types. It’s important to know what to expect so you can approach each one with confidence!
### Types of Passages
- **Literary Fiction:** These passages are stories, often with characters, dialogue, and a plot.
- **Nonfiction:** Includes essays, articles, biographies, or excerpts about real people, events, or ideas.
- **Poetry:** Sometimes, a poem will appear, challenging you to interpret language and rhythm.
- **Argumentative/Opinion:** These passages present an argument or a point of view, asking you to analyze reasoning.
### Why Are They Important?
Recognizing the passage type helps you anticipate the kinds of questions you’ll get and the reading strategies you’ll need.
## Real-World Connection
In everyday life, you read all kinds of texts—news, stories, even instructions! Each requires a different approach, just like SSAT passages.
### Quick Tips
- Skim the passage first to get the main idea.
- Identify the tone and purpose.
- Highlight key details and structure as you read.
Examples
- Reading a story about a teenager moving to a new city (literary fiction).
- Analyzing an article about climate change (nonfiction).
Key terms
- Passage
- A section of text used as reading material for questions.
- Nonfiction
- Writing based on facts, real events, and real people.
- Literary Fiction
- A story or narrative created from the imagination.