ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension focuses on developing critical reading skills through diverse texts and comprehension strategies.

Understanding Main Ideas and DetailsMaking Inferences and Drawing ConclusionsUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Analyzing Author’s Purpose and ToneIdentifying Organizational StructureEvaluating Arguments and Evidence
Applying Critical Reading to Everyday LifeEffective Note-Taking for ReadingReading for Research and Projects
Previewing the PassageProcess of Elimination
Understanding Main I...Making Inferences an...Understanding Vocabu...Analyzing Author’s P...Identifying Organiza...Evaluating Arguments...Applying Critical Re...Effective Note-Takin...Reading for Research...Previewing the Passa...Process of Eliminati...
Advanced Topics

Analyzing Author’s Purpose and Tone

Why Did the Author Write This?

The author’s purpose is the reason for writing a passage. It could be to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain something.

Understanding Tone

The tone is the author’s attitude or feeling about the subject. Is it playful, serious, excited, or sad?

Clues to Purpose and Tone

  • Look for emotional words or strong opinions.
  • Notice if the author uses facts (inform), tries to convince you (persuade), or tells a fun story (entertain).
  • Tone is revealed through word choice and how the author describes things.

Why It Matters

Recognizing purpose and tone helps you better understand what you’re reading and why it was written. This skill can also help you predict the types of questions you might see on the ISEE.

Examples

  • A passage filled with jokes about math makes you think the author wants to entertain, and the tone is playful.

  • An article with lots of facts about recycling is probably meant to inform, and the tone is serious.

In a Nutshell

Figure out why the author wrote the passage and how they feel about the topic.

Key Terms

Author's Purpose
The reason the author writes a passage: to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject.
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Identifying Organizational Structure