Humanities passages typically cover subjects like art, music, literature (as criticism), philosophy, film, cultural commentary, and so on. They're usually reflective, interpretive, or analytical in tone—sometimes blending narrative and argument.
Analyzing the Author’s Argument or Interpretation
Skills Assessed:
- Identifying the central interpretation or evaluative claim
- Distinguishing analysis from summary
- Understanding how an author supports a subjective judgment (e.g., "This painting captures human fragility better than most.")
How to Answer:
- Look for value-laden language or judgment statements (“more authentic,” “fails to convey,” “transcendent”).
- Pinpoint the central thesis, often near the start or in a wrap-up paragraph.
- Track examples, metaphors, or historical context used to support the claim.
Example Question:
The author suggests that Michelangelo’s David is superior to Donatello’s version primarily because...
Evaluating Competing Perspectives or Critical Theories
Skills Assessed:
- Recognizing differing viewpoints about a work, style, or movement
- Analyzing how the author positions themselves in relation to other critics or schools of thought
How to Answer:
- Watch for references to “some critics,” “opponents,” “other interpretations.”
- Note the author’s tone toward those views—agreeing? challenging? refining?
- Track which evidence or reasoning is used to support one interpretation over another.
Example Question:
Which of the following best characterizes the author’s response to the postmodern critique of traditional aesthetics?
Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies and Structural Choices
Skills Assessed:
- Understanding why the author opens with a story, uses contrast, or appeals to emotion
- Recognizing figurative language (metaphor, irony, paradox) and its purpose
How to Answer:
- Ask: What is the function of this paragraph/story/image?
- Pay close attention to section transitions—they often mark shifts in tone or structure.
- Understand how structure reinforces message (e.g., an escalating argument builds drama or urgency).
Example Question:
Why does the author introduce a childhood memory before discussing minimalist architecture?
Synthesis Across the Passage
Skills Assessed:
- Connecting early thematic statements to later examples or critiques
- Recognizing how symbols, motifs, or analogies develop across the text
How to Answer:
- Look for repeated concepts or framing devices (e.g., “freedom,” “constraint,” “authenticity”).
- Pay attention to how abstract ideas are concretized through art, anecdotes, or metaphors.
- Ask: Does the conclusion revisit or evolve the initial idea?
Example Question:
Which of the following best describes how the author’s view of artistic tradition evolves over the course of the passage?
Interpreting Cultural or Historical Allusions
Skills Assessed:
- Understanding how a reference to a historical figure, movement, or period enhances meaning
- Analyzing the relationship between art and its context
How to Answer:
- Even if you don’t know the reference, the passage often explains it or describes its significance.
- Ask how the reference deepens, challenges, or contextualizes the main point.
Example Question:
What role does the author’s reference to the Harlem Renaissance play in their discussion of modern poetry?