GRE Verbal

A comprehensive guide to mastering the verbal reasoning section of the GRE, including vocabulary, reading comprehension, and analytical writing.

Vocabulary BuildingReading ComprehensionText Completion and Sentence Equivalence
Critical ReasoningAnalyzing Author's Tone and PurposeComplex Sentence Structures
Academic CommunicationProfessional CommunicationEngaging with Media and News
Time ManagementElimination TechniquesAnnotation and Active Reading
Vocabulary BuildingReading Comprehensio...Text Completion and ...Critical ReasoningAnalyzing Author's T...Complex Sentence Str...Academic Communicati...Professional Communi...Engaging with Media ...Time ManagementElimination Techniqu...Annotation and Activ...
Advanced Topics

Analyzing Author's Tone and Purpose

Why Tone and Purpose Matter

Understanding the author's tone (attitude) and purpose (reason for writing) helps you interpret passages more accurately. Is the author being sarcastic, neutral, or enthusiastic? Are they trying to inform, persuade, or criticize?

How to Spot Tone and Purpose

  • Word choice: Emotional or neutral words signal tone.
  • Context clues: Phrases like "it is unfortunate" or "surprisingly" reveal attitude.
  • Overall structure: Is the passage presenting facts or making an argument?

Beyond the GRE

Recognizing tone and purpose is useful for reading news articles, literature, and workplace communications.

Examples

  • Noticing a sarcastic tone in an editorial criticizing a policy.

  • Determining that a passage’s purpose is to inform about climate change.

In a Nutshell

Identifying tone and purpose sharpens your interpretation of written material.

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Complex Sentence Structures