The Writing Center Flowers Hall G 09 512

Close Reading Techniques PRESENTED BY THE TEXAS STATE WRITING CENTER

What is a close reading? A specific and detailed examination of a particular passage

4 Steps of Close Reading 1) Select the text 2) Annotate 3) Interpret 4)

1) The Text Select a short passage. Make sure it is significant to the

2) Annotate Use a pencil. Underline key words and phrases. Make notes in the

What are you looking for? Gut reaction, especially for poems. The Important - What

What else? Patterns and Repetitions - Images - Symbols “serpent-like” Temptation ---------- - Narration

And… Vocabulary and Diction - What words stick out? - What words have double

3) Interpretations Examine the patterns - How are they connected? - Why? - What

4) Organize an Outline Include a closely argued thesis. Use precise citations for illustrations.

Do Read the text multiple times. Read aloud plays and poems Look up key

Don’t highlight too much. Don’t write a plot summary. Don’t pad your paper with

“A Pair of Silk Stockings” Written in the late 1800 s by Kate Chopin.

Consider Figurative Tone Language Style Diction Context Literal Content Theme Structure Characterization

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Close Reading Techniques PRESENTED BY THE TEXAS STATE WRITING CENTER

What is a close reading? A specific and detailed examination of a particular passage of a text or the text as a whole.

4 Steps of Close Reading 1) Select the text 2) Annotate 3) Interpret 4) Organize an outline

1) The Text Select a short passage. Make sure it is significant to the text as a whole. Poems & Plays: Make sure to read the text aloud.

2) Annotate Use a pencil. Underline key words and phrases. Make notes in the margins.

What are you looking for? Gut reaction, especially for poems. The Important - What are themes of the passage? - What are themes of the entire text? The Unusual and Unexpected - Contradictions - Omissions

What else? Patterns and Repetitions - Images - Symbols “serpent-like” Temptation ---------- - Narration Styles “light blue pair” - Sentence Structures “some lavender” - Stage directions (plays) “some all black” “various shades of tan and gray” - Sounds (plays & poems) - Line Breaks (poems)

And… Vocabulary and Diction - What words stick out? - What words have double meanings? - What words are unfamiliar to you?

3) Interpretations Examine the patterns - How are they connected? - Why? - What is significant? s e s Sen ns tio s o Em hasi p Em heme T y h p a r g o Bi

4) Organize an Outline Include a closely argued thesis. Use precise citations for illustrations. Select only the pertinent details. Organize the paragraphs according to issues and meaning.

Do Read the text multiple times. Read aloud plays and poems Look up key words. Take a step back after annotating.

Don’t highlight too much. Don’t write a plot summary. Don’t pad your paper with quotes. Don’t organize your paragraphs to follow the order of the text.

“A Pair of Silk Stockings” Written in the late 1800 s by Kate Chopin. First published in Vogue magazine. Summary: Mrs. Sommers, a poor mother of numerous children, receives some unexpected money. She plans on buying items for her children but ends up spending the money on herself.

Consider Figurative Tone Language Style Diction Context Literal Content Theme Structure Characterization