Passage Types

What you'll learn

• Identify the narrator's point of view (first person, third person limited, omniscient)
• Track character emotions, motivations, and relationships throughout the passage
• Recognize how literary devices (imagery, symbolism, tone) appear in questions
• Answer inference questions by finding supporting textual evidence

Key concepts

The literary narrative passage (Passage I) is typically an excerpt from a novel or short story. Unlike informational passages, it focuses on characters, emotions, and narrative arc. Questions often ask about character motivation ('Why does the narrator feel...'), relationships ('The interaction between X and Y suggests...'), and tone ('The author's attitude toward the subject is...'). Pay close attention to descriptive language and dialogue, as these reveal feelings the author does not state directly. Many students either love or dread this passage. Practice will make it predictable.

Pro tips

• As you read, note each character's name and a one-word descriptor of their mood or role.
• For tone questions, eliminate extreme answer choices first. The ACT rarely uses words like 'furious' or 'ecstatic.'
• If a question asks what a character 'would most likely' do or feel, find evidence in the passage. Never rely on your own assumptions.