Word choice, transitions, and rhetorical effectiveness concepts tested on the SAT writing and language section.
33 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is the difference between a word's denotation and connotation?
- 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?
- Pedestrian carries the additional connotation of being uninspired or lacking artistry, not just common.
- Why does the SAT prefer active voice over passive voice?
- 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?
- Repeating the same idea in different words without adding new information.
- What is the key sign of wordiness that the SAT writing section tests?
- 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?
- Additionally, furthermore, moreover, in addition, also, besides.
- Which transitions signal a change, contradiction, or contrast between ideas?
- However, yet, but, nevertheless, on the other hand, conversely, although, while.
- Which transitions introduce a result or consequence?
- Therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, because, since, due to.
- Which transitions highlight similarities between ideas?
- Similarly, likewise, in the same way, comparable to, just as.
- Why must a sentence-initial transition be separated by a comma?
- 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?
- 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?
- End placement gives the phrase greater weight and makes it more memorable to readers.
- What is parallel structure?
- 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?
- Parallel structure makes writing clearer, more rhythmic, and easier to understand.
- What is the most common pronoun error the SAT tests?
- An ambiguous pronoun that could logically refer to more than one noun in the sentence.