ACT Quick Tip Reading Strategies

1. Keep in mind the authors intentions/thoughts, and not your own!

a. Understanding the Reader/Writer relationship
b. Look for key facts and details, as evidence is usually the root of most problems.
c. Do not skip over titles!
2. Know each sub-section and how to navigate their content.
a. Prose
b. Social Science
c. Natural Science
d. Humanities
3. Use your time as effectively as possible!
*Do not sweat the clock, but do be aware of how much time youve spent doing what!
a. Look at navigating the sections in the order of your interest levels.
b. Use a strategy that works best for you!
c. Do not get hung up on one question.

Keep in mind the authors intentions/thoughts, and not your own

1A. As youre reading, you have to be able to look at the passages from the point of view of the intended
audience.
1B. Going through each section, do not be afraid to underline or mark details that you think might be
important! Be sure to grasp the authors stance.
1C. While the titles may not seem overly important, there is a direct correlation between the content
and the title. Especially in situations where the two do not seem to have much in common, a strange
title can give away more than you may think.

Know each sub-section and how to navigate their content

2A. Prose - A literary medium distinguished from poetry especially by its greater irregularity and variety
of rhythm and its closer correspondence to the patterns of everyday speech
2B. Social Science Something you may find in your history/social studies class. Often deals with
historical events.
2C. Natural Science A section akin to the science youve studied in school. This section makes heavy
use of graphs and proving facts with evidence.
2D. Humanities Might come from personal essays or memoirs. Excerpts from works about art,
literature, etc.

Use your time as effectively as possible

3A. You will always face the four sections listed above. You can often work through it the fastest if you
tackle the sections that stimulate your interests. While theres not guarantee youll find a section that
will have you hooked, it can certainly make the reading a bit less dull.
3B. There are many strategies you can use for the ACT Reading Section.
-Based on the length of the passages, you can read the questions first to help you know what
key details youre looking for. This works best on shorter passages.
-Reading the first and last sentences of larger passages allows you to get the main points in a
very short amount of time. This gives you more time to come back if any major details are
hidden between the first and last sentences.
-Underlining details you think might be important is a good way to prevent losing your place and
having to reread, saving you a great deal of time.
3C. It is important to know HOW to use your time on the reading section. While you are given a little bit
less than one question per minute, you cannot get stuck on one. When factoring in the reading, and
times you may have to flip back, you do not want to waste any time.

Work Cited
1. Staffaroni, Laura. "The 4 Types Of ACT Reading Passages You Should Know." The 4 Types Of
ACT Reading Passages You Should Know. PrepScholar, 27 May 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
2. Shmoop Editorial Team. "ACT Reading Strategies." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11
Nov. 2008. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.