Hi GMATharvard,
Identifying the author’s tone and attitude in Reading Comprehension can be tricky, especially in dense, technical passages where the writing may seem neutral at first glance. One effective strategy is to pay close attention to descriptive words, adjectives, and verbs that convey sentiment.
Even in technical writing, subtle word choices can indicate whether the author is slightly positive, negative, or truly neutral. Look for words that express approval (e.g., "innovative," "remarkable") or disapproval (e.g., "flawed," "problematic"), as these can signal a shift in tone.
Additionally, consider the context—if the author is merely presenting facts, the tone is likely neutral, but if they compare, evaluate, or critique, there’s often an underlying attitude. Another helpful approach is to read the passage with the mindset of determining the author's purpose—if they are advocating for or against something, their tone will reflect that.
For some more advice, here is a helpful article:
GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips: Top 8 DOs and DON’Ts