ACT Reading Rules
Coach Washington's number 1 rule concerning the ACT test
Never Leave A Question Unanswered
Every correct ACT Reading answer can be proven by this
Evidence From The Passage
This passage type tells a story and should be approached by tracking characters, conflict, and tone
Prose Fiction
The best strategy for Prose Fiction
Track Emotions & Change
This is Coach Washington's suggested time to take out to skim or annotate for important information
60 Seconds
Coach Washington's number 1 tip concerning the ACT Reading test
Do Not Waste Time Reading The Entire Passage
This type of answer sounds reasonable but is not directly supported by the text
Trap Answer
When reading this passage type, students should focus on the author’s perspective, argument, and purpose
Humanities
The best strategy for Social Science
Read For Structure
For Social Science, Humanities, or Natural Science passages...
Thesis Statement or Main Idea
This is the number of questions found on the ACT Reading test
40 Questions
This strategy points to a sentence or phrase that proves you answer
Justification
This passage type often includes data, explanations, or cause-and-effect
Natural Science
The best strategy for Natural Science
Watch For Cause/Effect
Question that tell you what lines to go to for information will fall under the "Do _____" category.
Do Now
This is the first thing you should do when presented with a passage on the ACT Reading test
Read The "Blurb" First
This often requires a skill rather than outside knowledge
Text-Based Reasoning
Passages in this category often discuss systems, trends, or historical events
Social Science
This is where the passage type will be located
In the "Blurb"
The "Blurb" is located
Under The Section That Reads Passage I,II,II or IV
If there is a word you cannot pronounce use...
"Substitute to Simplify"
The two categories ACT Reading passages will test you in
Fiction or Non-Fiction
This uses storytelling to make reveal personal meaning and fostering self-understanding
Literary Narrative
The best strategy for Humanities
Identify Thesis Early
The ACT Reading test is considered to be...
An Open Book Test