ACT Reading Literary Narrative Figurative Language Metaphor Simile Tone Imagery

Literary Narrative — Figurative Language: Metaphor, Simile, Tone, Imagery

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Literary narrative is tested on the Reading and English sections of the ACT. It appears on every Reading test and is a common theme in the English section. This topic can be challenging, but understanding figurative language, tone, and imagery will help you answer questions more accurately.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Metaphor: A comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
• Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."
• Tone: The author's attitude or feeling towards a subject.
• Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
• Figurative language: Language that uses non-literal expressions to convey meaning.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Identify the author's tone: Read the passage carefully to determine the author's attitude or feeling towards the subject.
2. Look for figurative language: Identify metaphors, similes, and other literary devices used in the passage.
3. Understand the context: Consider the passage's purpose, the author's intention, and the subject matter.
4. Eliminate incorrect answers: Use the process of elimination to rule out options that don't fit the context or tone.
5. Check your work: Verify that your answer choice matches the passage's meaning and tone.

⚠️ Don't assume the tone is always serious: Authors often use humor, irony, or sarcasm to convey their message.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

• Reading: Passage-based questions that ask about the author's tone, figurative language, and imagery.
• English: Sentence or passage with underlined portions that test your understanding of tone, figurative language, and imagery.

Common distractors include:

• Overly literal interpretations: Be cautious of answers that take the text too literally.
• Misidentifying tone: Make sure to consider the author's attitude and feeling towards the subject.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

1. The mistake: Misidentifying the author's tone.
   • Why it happens: Rushing through the passage or not considering the author's attitude.
   • How to avoid it: Take your time, read the passage carefully, and consider the author's intention.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners penalize incorrect tone identifications.
2. The mistake: Not recognizing figurative language.
   • Why it happens: Not paying attention to literary devices or not recognizing them.
   • How to avoid it: Be aware of common literary devices and read the passage carefully.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners expect you to recognize and analyze figurative language.
3. The mistake: Overlooking context.
   • Why it happens: Not considering the passage's purpose or the author's intention.
   • How to avoid it: Read the passage carefully and consider the context.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners penalize answers that don't consider the context.

Practice Questions

Question 1

Reading
The passage below is from a novel about a young girl's journey.

"The sun was setting over the ocean, casting a golden glow over the waves. It was as if the sky was on fire, and the sea was a vast expanse of molten lava."

What is the author's tone in this passage?

A Serene B Exciting C Melancholic D Peaceful E Angry

Answer: B Exciting Explanation: The author uses vivid imagery and similes to create an exciting atmosphere, drawing the reader into the scene.

Question 2

English
The underlined portion in the sentence below is incorrect.

"The new policy will result in a significant increase in revenue."

Which of the following is the correct version of the sentence?

A The new policy will lead to a significant increase in revenue.
B The new policy will result in a significant decrease in revenue.
C The new policy will cause a significant increase in revenue.
D The new policy will lead to a significant decrease in revenue.
E The new policy will result in a significant increase in expenses.

Answer: A The new policy will lead to a significant increase in revenue.
Explanation: The correct verb is lead to, which is a more idiomatic expression than result in.

Quick Reference Card

• Metaphor: A comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
• Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using "like" or "as."
• Tone: The author's attitude or feeling towards a subject.
• Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
• Figurative language: Language that uses non-literal expressions to convey meaning.
• Identify the author's tone: Read the passage carefully to determine the author's attitude or feeling towards the subject.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• Don't panic: Take a deep breath and read the passage carefully.
• Eliminate incorrect answers: Use the process of elimination to rule out options that don't fit the context or tone.
• Check your work: Verify that your answer choice matches the passage's meaning and tone.

Related ACT Topics

• Poetic Devices: Understanding metaphors, similes, and other literary devices used in poetry.
• Author's Purpose: Identifying the author's intention and purpose in a passage.
• Literary Analysis: Analyzing a passage to understand the author's tone, theme, and style.