Dissecting Arguments Like a Pro

The SAT doesn’t just test what you read—it wants to know if you can figure out why a writer made certain choices and how effectively they build their case.

Skills You’ll Need

• Recognizing Persuasive Techniques: Identify how authors use logic, evidence, and emotional appeals.
• Evaluating Evidence: Judge the strength and relevance of examples or statistics.
• Assessing Reasoning: Spot logical fallacies or gaps in an argument.

Strategies

• Look for signal words like "therefore," "however," or "for example."
• Ask yourself how each paragraph supports the main argument.
• Watch out for flawed reasoning or unsupported claims.

Real-World Application

Being able to analyze arguments helps you debate, write essays, and make informed decisions in daily life—from understanding advertisements to evaluating political speeches.