Close Reading An Introduction

Why “Close Reading”? A step toward determining if a text is worth reading in the first place A way to take ownership of important or worthwhile ideas or elements within the text

Purpose of “Close Reading” Figure out what the author has to say Author: ideas and experiences translated into words Reader: translates words back into ideas and experiences Much can be lost, distorted and even added during the translation process.

Motives for Reading Pleasure: no particular skills required beyond decoding Figure Out Simple Idea: may require skimming skills Learn Specific Technical Info: skimming skills required Enter, Understand or Appreciate New World View: Close Reading skills required Learn a New Subject: Close Reading along with ability to internalize and take ownership of organizational systems of meaning needed

How to Read Closely Consider author’s purpose Politician Advertiser Novelist/poet/playwright Chemist and lab report Editorial writer

Work with Knowledge Map Knowledge exists in systems of meaning with interrelated primary, secondary, tertiary and peripheral ideas/concepts/concerns. Start with reading for primary concerns and work way out to other levels and look for relationships among levels and among and across disciplines Sonnet as a system of thought From structure we can follow thinking and read for purpose, goals, concepts theories, etc.

Close Reading Redux Understand your purpose in reading Understand (as best you can) the author’s purpose in writing See ideas in a text as being interconnected Look for and do what you can to understand systems of meaning