ISEE Middle Level: Reading Comprehension

ISEE Middle Level

Understanding Passage TypesFinding the Main IdeaMaking Inferences
Analyzing Author's Purpose and ToneIdentifying Supporting EvidenceUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Applying Reading Skills to SchoolworkReading for Everyday LifeConnecting Reading to Current Events
Time Management During the TestAnswering Multiple Choice QuestionsActive Reading Techniques
Understanding Passag...Finding the Main Ide...Making InferencesAnalyzing Author's P...Identifying Supporti...Understanding Vocabu...Applying Reading Ski...Reading for Everyday...Connecting Reading t...Time Management Duri...Answering Multiple C...Active Reading Techn...
Advanced Topics

Analyzing Author's Purpose and Tone

Understanding Why and How an Author Writes

Authors write with a purpose: to inform, entertain, or persuade. The tone is the author's attitude towards the subject, shown through word choice and style.

Determining Purpose

  • To inform: The passage presents facts or explains ideas.
  • To entertain: The passage tells a story or describes an experience.
  • To persuade: The passage tries to convince you of something.

Identifying Tone

  • Look for descriptive words. Is the author excited, serious, or humorous?
  • Notice if the author uses positive or negative language.

Application

Recognizing purpose and tone helps you answer questions about why an author included certain details or wrote in a particular way.

Examples

  • A passage uses lots of exciting adjectives and a fast pace; the tone is energetic.

  • A passage presents statistics and neutral language; the purpose is to inform.

In a Nutshell

Learn to identify why an author writes and how they feel about the topic.

Key Terms

Tone
The author's attitude or feeling toward the subject.
Author's Purpose
The reason the author wrote the passage.
Next
Identifying Supporting Evidence