Mastering Craft and Structure for the Digital SAT

Craft and Structure

A domain in the Digital SAT that constitutes about 28% of the Reading and Writing module, focusing on the reasoning behind a text's writing and organization.

Tier 2 Vocabulary

Words frequently used in academic texts, such as empirical, substantiate, and ambivalent, that shift meaning based on context.

Connotation vs. Denotation

Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural association with a word, while denotation is the literal meaning.

The 'Blank-Out' Method

A strategy where a student predicts a word to fill a blank before looking at answer choices to enhance comprehension.

Logical Clues

Keywords that indicate relationships between ideas in a passage, such as 'however' for contrast and 'therefore' for cause and effect.

Synonym/Support

A relationship type in text analysis indicated by clues like 'and' or 'similarly,' suggesting additional supporting information.

Contrast/Shift

A relationship type indicated by clues like 'but' and 'however,' showing a change in direction or opposing ideas.

Cause/Effect

A relationship type indicated by clues such as 'because,' signaling a causal relationship between two ideas.

The Scientific Progression

A common structure in texts that follows the pattern: Context → Problem/Question → Methodology → Results → Implications.

Main Idea

Refers to what a text is about, summarizing its content and central theme.

Purpose

The author's intent behind writing a text, typically signified by common verbs like 'to criticize' or 'to introduce.'

Analyzing Text Structure

The process of examining how information unfolds within a text, often following predictable patterns.

Function of Specific Sentences

Understanding what a sentence contributes to the overall argument or development within a text.

Direct Refutation

A relationship where one text explicitly contradicts a specific claim made in another text.

The Qualification

A relationship in which one text agrees with another but with specific conditions or limitations.

The Extension

A relationship where one text expands on the ideas presented in another, applying them to new areas.

Common Pitfalls

Frequent mistakes in text analysis, such as misinterpreting tone or misidentifying the subject author's views.

Ambiguous

Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning, often applied to unclear contexts.

The 'Context > Definition' Concept

The principle that emphasizes interpreting words based on their surrounding context rather than isolated definitions.

Tone

The emotional quality or attitude expressed in a piece of writing, relevant to word choice in context.

Extreme Language

Words like 'always' or 'never' that should be used cautiously in text analysis due to their absolute nature.

Evidence

Information or data presented to support an argument or claim within a text.

Secondary Meanings

Additional or academic definitions of common words that may differ from everyday usage.

The Perspective Trap

The mistake of misrepresenting a text's opinion by confusing it with one's own views or that of another text.

Overall Structure

The comprehensive arrangement of a text's main ideas and supporting details throughout the entire passage.

Characterization vs. Narrative Purpose

The difference between understanding a character's perspective and the narrative's overall intent or message.

Cross-Text Connections

Analysis involving two texts on the same topic, requiring comparison of claims and responses.