Main points in fiction | Main ideas and supporting details | Achievable Praxis Core: Reading (5713)

Even though fiction passages are not as clearly structured as nonfiction ones, they generally focus on a moment of change in a particular character, location, or mood. As you read, look for that moment.

For example:

This passage is taken from Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë, found at Project Gutenberg. Jane and Rochester are about to get married when the ceremony is disrupted.

“I require and charge you both (as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed), that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not lawfully be joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it; for be ye well assured that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God’s Word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.

“He paused, as the custom is. When is the pause after that sentence ever broken by reply? Not, perhaps, once in a hundred years. And the clergyman, who had not lifted his eyes from his book, and had held his breath but for a moment, was proceeding: his hand was already stretched towards Mr. Rochester, as his lips unclosed to ask, “Wilt thou have this woman for thy wedded wife?”—when a distinct and near voice said—

“The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment.”

Here, the new idea–that Jane and Rochester can’t marry–is introduced by a rhetorical question: “When is the pause after that sentence ever broken by reply?” Sure enough, this is that one time in a hundred: the silence is broken, and the marriage does not take place.

Predicting the audience or title of a passage

Questions that ask you to select the best title of a passage and questions that ask you to predict the passage’s likely target audience are both just other ways of asking you to identify the passage’s main idea. In other words, remember that the passage’s main point is whatever new thing the author is saying about the topic, and pick the answer choice that most closely matches the main idea.

For example, you should consider:

The purpose of the passage. Was it written to inform, persuade, entertain, or challenge readers?
The author’s point of view about the topic.
The author’s tone. Is it serious or amusing? Sincere or cynical?
The probable age, location, profession, and interests of readers for whom the passage is intended.
Any assumptions about the topic that readers might have.

Here’s an example:

This passage is from Hermann the Irascible–A Story of the Great Weep, by Saki found at Project Gutenberg.

On the rack in the railway carriage immediately opposite Clovis was a solidly wrought travelling-bag, with a carefully written label, on which was inscribed, “J. P. Huddle, The Warren, Tilfield, near Slowborough.” Immediately below the rack sat the human embodiment of the label, a solid, sedate individual, sedately dressed, sedately conversational. Even without his conversation (which was addressed to a friend seated by his side, and touched chiefly on such topics as the backwardness of Roman hyacinths and the prevalence of measles at the Rectory), one could have gauged fairly accurately the temperament and mental outlook of the travelling bag’s owner. But he seemed unwilling to leave anything to the imagination of a casual observer, and his talk grew presently personal and introspective.

Who is the most likely audience for this passage?

a. Readers who enjoy irony
b. Doctors concerned with the spread of measles
c. Gardeners who want to learn about hyacinth varieties
d. High school students
e. Readers of travel guides

(spoiler)

Answer: Readers who enjoy irony is correct because the passage introduces a character and gently mocks his respectable appearance and uninteresting conversation.

Doctors concerned with the spread of measles is incorrect. Measles is mentioned as a topic of Mr. Huddle’s conversation, but only as a detail.

Gardeners who want to learn about hyacinth varieties is incorrect. Roman hyacinths are only mentioned as an example of Mr. Huddle’s conversation, and they are not discussed in any detail.

High school students is incorrect. The diction and sentence structure of the passage are too lightly ironic for most teenagers to pick up on.

Readers of travel guides is incorrect. The passage is not primarily focused on the region through which the train is travelling. Its interest is the character of J. P. Huddle.