Notes and Instructions What is Close Reading? Notes and Instructions

“Reading Like a Reader” Vs. “Close Reading” We’ve talked about what good readers do when they read, and what good writers do. These strategies work well with narratives and novels. “Close Reading” involves strategies to help you with more complex texts, such as argumentative and informative, though they can still be used with narrative writing.

What is “Close Reading”? It’s not a new practice It’s only for texts that are worthy, not all texts Foremost, reader is focused on the author’s meaning Reader uses various strategies, including re-reading and annotation to think critically about a text.

Why “Close Reading”? These strategies help you proactively understand and pull key ideas from a text. Rather than reading something, being unable to understand it, and giving up, these strategies help you attack a text and walk away with complete comprehension.

1. Annotation Annotate any text that you must know well, in detail, and from which you might need to produce evidence that supports your knowledge or reading, such as a book on which you will be tested. Examples: articles, textbooks, research papers, academic published works

1. Annotation Use various SYMBOLS to point out different areas of the text. Examples: key points, questions, missing info, opinions, false reasoning This can help you… Understand and connect the main points faster Clarify your understanding of words and points Identify areas that have major points or opinions

Annotation Symbols Underline (or highlight) the major points. Circle words or phrases that are confusing to you. Use a ? and write out your question in the margins Use ! for things that surprise you Draw a to link connections Mark EX to denote examples (you can write comments in the margins) Numerate arguments, important details/points the author makes (1, 2, 3, etc.)

Annotation Symbols Underline (or highlight) the major points. Circle words or phrases that are confusing to you. Use a ? and write out your question in the margins Use ! for things that surprise you Draw a to link connections Mark EX to denote examples (you can write comments in the margins) Numerate arguments, important details/points the author makes (1, 2, 3, etc.)

2. Re-Reading Re-reading a passage slowly or aloud can help you connect key points in a text. It can help you clarify your understanding of key words and ideas. You can pick up on things you did not notice the first time– hints, connections, and key details.

3. Think-Alouds I will model this for you until we are comfortable doing it with partners and groups. Read the text with someone else. As you read, stop and discuss what you think about, connections you make, and clarify things you do not understand.

Think-Aloud Questions Write down a few examples I predict that… I can picture… A question that I have is… This reminds me of… This is like… I am confused about… The big idea here is…. I believe…