Close Reading Strategies

Close Reading Strategies

Jake Morris

10/17/18

            Close reading is thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details or patters in order to develop a deep, precise understanding of the text's form, craft, meanings, etc. Students can question the author's intent and why these patterns may be important. Teaching students to become close readers is important because it helps them become independent readers who interpret the text and ultimately connect with it on a deeper level, bringing their own ideas and perspectives. The video below describes how to interpret a deeper understanding of a text using close reading. (1:54-3:00).

            Close reading directly correlates to annotating. You can not use close reading without annotating the text. Annotating is simply to add notes to a text or diagram giving explanation or comment. Personally I have never been a fan of annotating or close reading but I still find it very helpful when trying to understand a text to the fullest. Using a variety of colors and pens or pencils will also help separate your thoughts when annotating. Keep organized with your writing it helps in the end. Below is a link of my personal electronic annotating.

Electronic Annotations