ACT Reading

A comprehensive guide to mastering the reading section of the ACT, focusing on comprehension, analysis, and strategic test-taking.

Advanced Topics

Interpreting Literary Devices and Structure

Spotting the Building Blocks of Writing

Advanced readers recognize when authors use literary devices (like metaphor, irony, or imagery) and how they structure their writing for effect.

Key Devices

  • Metaphor/Simile: Comparing things to create vivid images.
  • Irony: Saying the opposite of what is meant for effect.
  • Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

Structure

Notice how the text is organized: chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast, or problem-solution.

Real-World Application

Recognizing these elements helps you appreciate literature, write compelling essays, and communicate more effectively.

Examples

  • Spotting a simile comparing a character’s courage to a lion’s strength.

  • Understanding that a passage uses chronological structure to explain a scientific discovery.

In a Nutshell

Identify and interpret the tools authors use to make their writing lively and persuasive.