Craft and Structure

The Craft and Structure section of the ACT exam assesses your ability to analyze the author’s choices in constructing a text, including word choice, sentence structure, and overall organization. This section evaluates how well you understand the relationship between these elements and the overall meaning and effectiveness of the text. Mastering Craft and Structure is essential for interpreting the nuances of passages and understanding the intent behind the author’s decisions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you should be able to identify and evaluate the author’s word choice and its impact on tone and meaning, analyze the structure of sentences and paragraphs for their contribution to the text’s overall effectiveness, and understand how the organization of a text influences its clarity and coherence. You will also be able to recognize and interpret figurative language, literary devices, and rhetorical strategies, gaining insight into how these elements enhance the text’s purpose and message.

Understanding Word Choice and Language Use

Word Choice and Connotations

• Definition: Word choice, also known as diction, refers to the specific words an author chooses to convey meaning and evoke emotions. Connotations are the implied meanings and associations that accompany a word.
• Importance: Recognizing the connotations of words helps in understanding the subtleties and nuances in a text.
• Example: The difference between “slim” and “skinny” – both refer to someone who is thin, but “slim” has a positive connotation while “skinny” can be negative.

Analyzing Tone and Style

• Tone: The author’s attitude towards the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice and stylistic elements.
• Style: The distinctive way an author writes, encompassing diction, sentence structure, and figurative language.
• Techniques: Pay attention to adjectives, adverbs, and the overall mood created by the language.

Analyzing Text Structure

Understanding the structure of a text is essential for grasping its meaning and the effectiveness of its communication. Sentence structure and paragraph organization play significant roles in how ideas are conveyed and understood. By examining these elements, readers can gain insight into the author’s method of developing and presenting their arguments, enhancing comprehension and critical analysis skills.

Sentence and Paragraph Structure

• Sentence Structure: The way sentences are constructed, including the use of varied sentence lengths and types (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences).
• Paragraph Structure: How paragraphs are organized to develop ideas, including topic sentences, supporting details, and transitions.
• Example: Analyze how the author introduces a topic, provides evidence, and concludes the argument.

Organizational Patterns

• Chronological Order: Events are presented in the sequence they occurred.
• Compare and Contrast: Examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
• Cause and Effect: Explores the reasons something happens and the consequences.
• Problem and Solution: Identifies a problem and proposes one or more solutions.

Evaluating Author’s Purpose and Perspective

Understanding an author’s purpose and perspective is key to analyzing any text. The author’s purpose—whether to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain—shapes the approach and tone of the writing. Identifying this involves examining the thesis statement and the type of information provided.

Author’s Purpose

• Definition: The reason an author writes a text, which can be to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
• Identifying Purpose: Look for clues in the text, such as the thesis statement, tone, and type of information presented.
• Example: A persuasive essay will have a clear argument and call to action, while an informative text provides facts and explanations.

Author’s Perspective

• Definition: The viewpoint or stance an author takes towards the subject.
• Recognizing Bias: Identify any potential biases by considering the author’s background, the context of the writing, and the use of loaded language or selective presentation of facts.
• Example: An article on climate change written by a scientist may have a different perspective than one written by a politician.

Examples

Example 1: Word Choice and Connotations

In the sentence, “The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air,” the word “aroma” has a positive connotation, suggesting a pleasant smell. In contrast, “The stench of garbage was overpowering,” the word “stench” has a negative connotation, implying an unpleasant odor.

Example 2: Analyzing Tone and Style

Consider the two sentences:

1. “The sun set gently over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape.”
2. “The sun plunged below the horizon, leaving a dark, ominous shadow in its wake.” The first sentence has a calm and serene tone, while the second sentence conveys a sense of foreboding.

Example 3: Sentence and Paragraph Structure

In a scientific article:

• Topic Sentence: “Climate change significantly impacts global weather patterns.”
• Supporting Details: “Rising temperatures lead to more frequent and severe heatwaves, while melting ice caps contribute to rising sea levels.”
• Conclusion: “These changes pose serious challenges to ecosystems and human societies.”

Example 4: Organizational Patterns

In a history essay:

• Chronological Order: “The Industrial Revolution began in the late 18th century in Britain. It spread to Europe and North America in the 19th century, leading to major economic and social changes.”
• Compare and Contrast: “While Britain focused on textile manufacturing, the United States excelled in the production of steel and machinery.”

Example 5: Author’s Purpose and Perspective

In a persuasive essay on renewable energy:

• Author’s Purpose: To persuade readers to support renewable energy initiatives.
• Perspective: The author argues that renewable energy is essential for sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions, using data from environmental studies and expert testimonials to support their claims.

Practice Questions with Explanations

Practice Question 1: Word Choice and Connotations

Read the following sentence: “The politician’s speech was filled with grandiose promises and lofty rhetoric.”

Question: What is the connotation of the word “grandiose” in this context?

A) Positive, suggesting impressive and magnificent

B) Neutral, suggesting large and extensive

C) Negative, suggesting exaggerated and unrealistic

D) Neutral, suggesting formal and official

Answer: C

Explanation: The word “grandiose” in this context has a negative connotation, implying that the promises are exaggerated and unrealistic. This choice of word suggests skepticism about the politician’s promises, indicating they may not be practical or achievable.

Practice Question 2: Analyzing Text Structure

Consider the following paragraph: “With the advent of digital technology, the way we consume media has changed dramatically. Traditional newspapers are losing readership, while online news platforms are gaining popularity. Moreover, social media has become a primary source of news for many people, offering real-time updates and user-generated content. Consequently, the media landscape is more dynamic and interactive than ever before.”

Question: What organizational pattern does this paragraph follow?

A) Cause and effect

B) Compare and contrast

C) Problem and solution

D) Chronological order

Answer: A

Explanation: The paragraph follows a cause and effect organizational pattern. It begins by stating the cause (“With the advent of digital technology”) and then describes the effects on media consumption, such as the decline of traditional newspapers and the rise of online news platforms and social media.

Practice Question 3: Evaluating Author’s Purpose and Perspective

Analyze the following passage:

“Implementing renewable energy solutions is essential for sustainable development. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, investing in renewable energy creates jobs and stimulates economic growth. Governments should prioritize policies that support the development and adoption of renewable energy technologies.”

Question: What is the author’s primary purpose in this passage?

A) To inform readers about the benefits of renewable energy

B) To persuade readers to support renewable energy policies

C) To entertain readers with stories about renewable energy

D) To describe the technical aspects of renewable energy technologies

Answer: B

Explanation: The author’s primary purpose is to persuade readers to support renewable energy policies. The passage highlights the benefits of renewable energy, such as reducing fossil fuel dependence and creating jobs, and concludes with a call to action for governments to prioritize renewable energy policies. The persuasive tone and focus on the benefits and policy recommendations indicate the author’s intent to convince readers of the importance of supporting renewable energy initiatives.