ACT Reading: Identify Sentence Function in Arguments

Every sentence in an argumentative passage serves a function: (1) Introduce the main claim. (2) Provide evidence or example. (3) Acknowledge a counterargument. (4) Rebut the counterargument. (5) Transition to a new idea. (6) Conclude or summarize. When you read, mentally label each sentence with its function. Example: "Some argue that social media harms mental health. However, research shows..." The first is function 3 (counterargument), the second is function 4 (rebuttal). Students who label sentence function answer "the function of this sentence is..." questions with 90% accuracy; students who read without labels score 60%.

Function labeling takes three seconds per sentence but saves 30 seconds per question because you instantly know why the sentence was written and how it fits the argument. It is a high-ROI annotation habit.

Trap 1: Confusing the content of a sentence with its function. "What does this sentence say?" is different from "What does this sentence do in the argument?" Trap 2: Missing that a sentence serves multiple functions. (It provides evidence for one claim and transitions to the next.) Trap 3: Assuming the function based on your expectations, not the actual text. (Re-read to confirm.) Avoid these three traps and function questions become straightforward.

On your next practice test, read each sentence and write its function in the margin. Check if your function labels match the correct answers. This habit trains your brain to see argument structure automatically.

Read a full argumentative passage. Label every sentence with its function (introduce claim, provide evidence, acknowledge counterargument, rebut, transition, conclude). Then answer all function questions. Check your answers. Did your function labels help? This drill teaches you to decode argument structure so thoroughly that function questions feel trivial by test day.

Do this drill for three passages per week for two weeks. By test day, sentence function will be obvious.

One or two sentence-function questions appear per ACT Reading section. Each is worth 1 point. Mastering this skill nets you 2 guaranteed points per test section, or 2-3 points total, raising your composite by up to 1 full point.

This week, start labeling sentence functions in practice passages. By test day, you will answer function questions faster than other students and with higher accuracy.