1. ACT Reading Strategies
Prose Fiction

2. Prose Fiction
Keep track of the characters in passage – the
characters move through the narrative
Pay attention to the details of the plot -- How do the
characters move the plot?)
What are the characters emotions? (Tip: Use
emoticons to note this in the passage)
What are their relationships to each other ?

3. Prose Fiction
Tone – the author is trying to do something with the
selection. The author is trying to get a certain reaction
from the reader (amusement, growth in character, a
struggle in the character, sadness, happiness, etc.)
Dialogue – characters’ relationships to each other are
revealed in the dialogue, emotions, who is saying
what, how they are saying it, what emotion is shown,
the author’s word choice, and the adverbs that the
author’s choose to use

4. Prose Fiction
Remember:
To identify the characters
To determine the attitude
To find the “real” story
The excerpts are from short stories and novels.
Passages usually have a plot (a sequence with actions)
and characters
Keep track of the actions – who does what? where was
it done, when was it done? why was it done?