SAT Reading and Writing Review

Literary Criticism relates to the analysis of texts by looking at them through different "lenses" that highlight an author, society, or period's stance, purpose, perspective, traditions, conventions, etc.

• True

• False

Why do we care about Literary Criticism?

• The SAT requires us to act as a "critic."

• Multiple questions will ask us to perform "critiquing" tasks, such as determining the author's purpose, the purpose of a passage, or to identify tone, etc.

When dealing with Literature passages, we need to be aware of more than just the different question types, reading methods, and reading strategies. We also need to be mindful of elements of literature that make up Contemporary and Classic Fiction passages.

• True

• False

If you don't understand how literary elements work together to create meaning and convey the author's purpose, you will most likely not fully grasp a passage or its point.

• True

• False

• Try me

Select the literary elements discussed in the homework slides:

• Plot

• Characters

• Dialogue

• Setting

• Mood & Theme

Plot: (select which applies)

• Plot structure is the way the author arranges the events of a narrative.

• In a conventional plot line, the story is structured around a central conflict, a struggle between two opposing forces.

• Conflicts in literature can be categorized in general terms as either internal or external, though most stories have a combination of both.

• Internal conflicts take place inside the main character’s mind: the character might be making a difficult decision, struggling with change, or sorting out priorities.

• External conflicts, on the other hand, occur when a character is in conflict with something or someone in the external world—the elements of nature, another character, supernatural forces, destiny, or society.

In a traditional plot structure, the author begins with exposition: important background information about the setting, the characters, and the current state of the world. (now, select what comes next).

• Following the exposition, an inciting incident introduces the antagonist and establishes the conflict.

• As the story progresses, the conflict becomes more complicated and tension increases, moving the story toward a climax or turning point, in which the conflict reaches a crisis point.

• Finally, there is a resolution to the conflict, followed by falling actions, events that move the characters away from the conflict and into a new life.

Static characters do not change as the plot of a narrative develops. Major characters are rarely static. The events of the plot will change the major character.

• True

• False

Dynamic characters are the opposite of static ones: major characters are almost always dynamic as they experience change through the plot's progression.

• True

• False

Literature passages will not always have a clear protagonist or antagonist

• True

• False