Digital SAT Reading and Writing: Mastering Craft and Structure

The Digital SAT Reading and Writing (R&W) section includes questions designed to test students’ comprehension and analytical skills in key areas, including Craft and Structure. This component evaluates your ability to interpret the construction of a passage, analyze the author’s intent, and understand how specific elements of the text contribute to its overall meaning.

Here’s everything you need to know about Craft and Structure questions and strategies to master them.

What Are Craft and Structure Questions?

Craft and Structure questions focus on the how and why of a passage:

How is the passage written?
Understanding the techniques, style, and structure the author uses.
Why is it written that way?
Identifying the purpose, tone, and relationship between ideas.

These questions challenge you to think critically about the text’s composition and the writer’s intent, beyond basic comprehension.

Types of Craft and Structure Questions

Craft and Structure questions cover a variety of skills, which can be grouped into the following types:

1. Word Choice and Meaning

Purpose: Examine how specific words or phrases influence meaning and tone.
Example: “What does the word ‘resilient’ most nearly mean as used in the passage?”
Tip: Consider the context, as word meaning often depends on surrounding text.

2. Textual Purpose

Purpose: Identify why the author included a sentence, paragraph, or detail.
Example: “Why does the author include the example in paragraph 3?”
Tip: Relate the section to the passage’s central theme or argument.

3. Point of View and Perspective

Purpose: Analyze the author’s perspective or the passage’s narrative voice.
Example: “What is the author’s attitude toward the subject?”
Tip: Pay attention to tone, language, and bias.

4. Structure and Organization

Purpose: Understand how the passage is structured and how ideas are organized.
Example: “How does the second paragraph contribute to the development of the argument?”
Tip: Look for transitions and logical progressions between ideas.

5. Rhetorical Strategies

Purpose: Identify persuasive techniques, analogies, or other strategies used to enhance the argument.
Example: “Which rhetorical strategy does the author use in lines 10–15?”
Tip: Familiarize yourself with common rhetorical devices (e.g., repetition, metaphors).

Strategies to Tackle Craft and Structure Questions

1. Read with Purpose

Skim the passage to get a sense of its tone, purpose, and overall structure before diving into questions.
Identify transition words and phrases that indicate relationships between ideas.

2. Context is Key

For word choice questions, always re-read a few lines before and after the word or phrase to capture the context.

3. Analyze the Author’s Intent

Ask yourself: Why did the author write this? What do they want the reader to take away?

4. Break Down Structure

Identify introductions, supporting points, and conclusions. Understand how they connect.
Pay attention to paragraph breaks and shifts in tone or argument.

5. Practice Rhetorical Devices

Learn and practice identifying techniques such as analogies, hyperboles, and rhetorical questions. These are often used to make an argument more compelling.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Ignoring Context: Always refer to the broader passage, not just isolated phrases.
Overcomplicating the Question: Stick to what is explicitly stated or strongly implied in the text.
Misreading the Author’s Tone: Pay close attention to adjectives, adverbs, and connotations to gauge tone accurately.

Preparing for Craft and Structure Questions

Here’s how you can prepare effectively:

1. Read Diverse Materials

Engage with a variety of texts such as editorials, scientific papers, and literature. Focus on understanding their structure and style.

2. Study Key Literary Terms

Ensure you’re familiar with rhetorical devices and structural techniques.

3. Use Practice Tests

Leverage official SAT practice materials to familiarize yourself with question formats.

4. Active Reading Practice

Annotate passages to track arguments, transitions, and rhetorical strategies.

Why Craft and Structure Matters

Craft and Structure questions go beyond basic comprehension. They require you to:

Critically evaluate text: Analyzing “why” and “how” deepens your understanding of the material.
Develop real-world skills: These abilities are essential for academic writing, critical reading, and effective communication in college and beyond.

By mastering this category, you’ll not only boost your SAT performance but also enhance your capacity for critical thinking—a skill that will serve you in many areas of life.

Take the time to practice these strategies and engage with high-quality reading materials. With persistence, Craft and Structure questions can become one of your strongest assets on the Digital SAT.