Sentence and Paragraph Placement
What it tests: The ability to place information where it fits best for logical progression and structural clarity.
- Subskills:
- Deciding where a sentence should go
- Identifying where to break or group paragraphs
- Cognitive focus: Logical structure and macro-level organization
- Question Format: “Where should this sentence/paragraph go?” or “The writer wants to divide this paragraph…”
Transition Strategy
What it tests: Choosing words or phrases that guide readers through relationships between ideas (contrast, cause-effect, addition, etc.).
- Subskills:
- Choosing the most effective transition between ideas
- Identifying logical connections between sentences
- Cognitive focus: Local cohesion and clarity of relationships
- Question Format: “Which choice provides the best transition to what follows?”
Evaluating Additions and Deletions
What it tests: Determining whether a sentence or phrase improves or disrupts the passage’s focus or purpose.
- Subskills:
- Evaluating the relevance of new information
- Judging the necessity or impact of removing content
- Cognitive focus: Relevance and rhetorical alignment
- Question Format: “Should the writer add/delete this sentence?” or “What would be lost if deleted?”
Supporting or Elaborating on a Point
What it tests: Enhancing a claim or idea with stronger, more specific support.
- Subskills:
- Selecting details or examples that strengthen an idea
- Avoiding vague, weak, or off-topic additions
- Cognitive focus: Content development and persuasiveness
- Question Format: “Which of the following best supports the idea?” or “Which addition would clarify this point?”
Purpose and Contribution
What it tests: Understanding why a writer might make a change — to clarify, emphasize, introduce, or conclude — and whether the change meets that rhetorical goal.
- Subskills:
- Evaluating whether an addition serves a clear rhetorical purpose (e.g., emphasize, contrast, conclude)
- Determining the effect of deleting or altering content
- Cognitive focus: Audience awareness, intent, and rhetorical strategy
- Question Format: “Should the writer make this addition?” or “The passage would lose which of the following if this part were deleted?”