Word choice, transitions, and rhetorical effectiveness concepts tested on the SAT writing and language section.
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- What is the difference between a word's denotation and connotation?
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Denotation is the literal dictionary definition, connotation is the emotional or cultural association attached to the word.- Why might 'pedestrian' be more effective than 'ordinary' in an essay criticizing bland architecture?
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Pedestrian carries the additional connotation of being uninspired or lacking artistry, not just common.- Why does the SAT prefer active voice over passive voice?
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Active voice is more direct, engaging, and concise; passive voice is often wordy and obscures who is performing the action.- What is redundancy in writing?
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Repeating the same idea in different words without adding new information.- What is the key sign of wordiness that the SAT writing section tests?
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Using multiple words to express an idea that could be conveyed in one or two words.- Which transitions show that ideas are being added or continued?
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Additionally, furthermore, moreover, in addition, also, besides.- Which transitions signal a change, contradiction, or contrast between ideas?
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However, yet, but, nevertheless, on the other hand, conversely, although, while.- Which transitions introduce a result or consequence?
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Therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, because, since, due to.- Which transitions highlight similarities between ideas?
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Similarly, likewise, in the same way, comparable to, just as.- Why must a sentence-initial transition be separated by a comma?
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To set off the introductory transitional element and signal the relationship to the previous sentence.- On the SAT, what does a mismatch between a passage's tone and its intended audience represent?
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Rhetorical ineffectiveness, the writing fails to match the reader's expectations or purpose.- How does placing a phrase at the end of a sentence affect its emphasis?
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End placement gives the phrase greater weight and makes it more memorable to readers.- What is parallel structure?
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Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or for ideas of equal importance.- Why does the SAT test parallel structure in lists and comparisons?
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Parallel structure makes writing clearer, more rhythmic, and easier to understand.- What is the most common pronoun error the SAT tests?
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An ambiguous pronoun that could logically refer to more than one noun in the sentence.
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