Lecture Notes on Digital SAT Grammar and Reading/Writing Section

Overview

• Focus on Digital SAT grammar, specifically punctuation, and reading/writing sections.
• Combined reading and writing into one section, referred to as "Reading and Writing."
• Emphasis on understanding and applying grammar rules quickly during the exam.

Key Grammar Concepts

Punctuation Questions

• Types of Punctuation: Comma, colon, semicolon, period.
• Punctuation Question Strategy: Identify the question type by looking at answer choices (same words, different punctuations).
• Connecting Sentences: Understand run-on vs. compound sentences.
  • Example: Period and semicolon both indicate separate sentences.
  • Eliminate answer choices based on whether they would result in two complete sentences.

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Focus on ensuring the subject matches the verb in number (singular/plural).
• Skip the text initially, go directly to the question.
• Key Strategy: Identify subject and match with correct verb form.
• Common Trap: Plural words close to the verb may mislead; verify the actual subject.

Literary Characterization

• Identify characterization by skipping to the question.
• Avoid extreme answers, look for reasonable traits supported by the text.
• Watch for traps like lifted words from the text.

Data and Hypothesis Support

• Data Support Questions: Find data that supports a given claim, often involves interpreting tables or data sets.
• Hypothesis Support Questions: Look for evidence that supports or refutes a hypothesis within the text.

Reading and Writing Strategies

Quick Reading and Skimming

• Skip unnecessary text: Focus on relevant parts of the passage.
• Identify main point in conclusion or key sentences.
• Extreme Answers: Generally incorrect; the correct answer is less extreme.

Science and Literary Passages

• Science Passages: Look for shifts in perspectives, such as "old view vs. new discovery."
• Literary Passages: Focus on character traits and narrative style.
• Culture Passages: Expect positive presentations of cultural elements; avoid answers that suggest criticism.

Cross-Text Questions

• Default Disagreement: Assumption that two passages will disagree unless otherwise stated.
• Agreement Questions: Find common ground, avoiding extreme or judgmental language.

Additional Tips

• Punctuation Use: Understand different uses of colons, semicolons, dashes, and parentheses.
• Past Tenses: Be wary of past perfect tense ("had" + participle) as it is often used as a trap.
• Boundary Questions: Handle punctuation around non-essential clauses carefully.

Preparation and Practice

• Practice Regularly: Engage with practice tests focusing on these grammar and reading strategies.
• Feedback and Questions: Engage with materials and seek clarification on confusing points.

These notes should serve as a useful study aid to grasp the key points covered in the lecture on the digital SAT grammar and reading/writing strategies. Focus on the strategies and their application to different types of questions to enhance performance on the exam.