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Reading; how to do a close reading

READING

Reading a text is the first and one of the most important steps in writing an effective literary analysis essay. By reading closely, you actively involve yourself in the text and are better able to understand, remember and absorb the work. Close reading takes more time and mental effort than reading for plot but is also far more rewarding and will help tremendously when developing a theme and a thesis for an essay. 

Options for close reading strategies include:

Reading a text multiple times:
  • Read first for basic comprehension and enjoyment, then again for analysis.
  • After the first reading, focus on literary devices, turning points in the story and recurring images.

            – For more on common literary devices, visit our 
              glossary.

  • Read short works, especially poems, aloud for a richer experience.
Highlighting/Underlining and Annotating the text:
  • Mark and look up words you don’t know – write the definitions down for future reference.
  • Write main ideas of key complex passages in the margins -putting it in your own words helps with comprehension and retention.
  • In the margins, write down any questions that occur to you while reading. The two most common types of questions are fact-based questions (questions about plot, characters, etc.) and interpretive questions (more open-ended and based more on literary devices or significance of certain elements).

            – Writing these questions down will also give you a 
              handy response when your professor asks, “Are there 
              any questions about the reading?”           

Journaling:

  • If you do not want to write in your book for any reason, this is a good alternative to annotating  the text. Flag key passages with post-its and, on a separate piece of paper, write your definitions, questions, key plot points and important facts about characters or settings.  

  • Also make note of specific literary devices, recurring images, symbols or themes.
Here are a couple of sample journal pages to help you get started!
Next Step: Inventing
Remember: You do not have to follow all of these steps; they are simply options. Do what works best for you!

Don’t hate. Appreciate.

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“I’ve always loved to read, but when it comes to reading and analyzing an assigned text, I can be grouchy. If I don’t find it interesting, I fight through the first reading. I can’t stop asking why – why did the author write this, why did this or that happen, why do I have to read this? What helps me is to block out the ‘why’s’  – stop analyzing, just let the first impression sink in. After the first reading, the second is usually more enjoyable because I know what’s going to happen, and can start figuring out the ‘why’s’ of the text.” – Cassie