9/14/15 What is Close Reading? Looking at the Lens of Word Choice

Do Now Silently grab a markerboard from the side of your desk. Get a marker from the basket. Answer the following: 1. Write YOUR definition of close reading. 2. How do you close read? Be ready to share out and explain!

9/14/15 Objective Students will review the five different reading lenses (style and structure, word choice and mood, figurative language, characterization, conflict) in order to evaluate why their use is necessary for close reading texts. Agenda Do Now Note-Taking: What is Close Reading? Word Choice Lens Exit

WHAT IS CLOSE READING?

Close Reading is… Close reading uncovers layers of meaning that lead to understanding. This can be a novel, article, picture, song and people.

How do we do it? Sometimes, re-read the text. Use LENSES to find details. Uncover PATTERNS to pave new understandings. Create new IDEAS and revise your thinking (with evidence).

LET’S PRACTICE

As you look at the picture, what goes through your mind?

At first glance, after the quick reading, I am thinking, ‘Oh, it’s a boy and a dog.’ But then, I take a longer look, and I notice some details in the picture. The boy is talking to the dog, that he is leaning in and holding the dog’s leg firmly. It appears that the dog is in the boy’s lap. The dog looks relaxed and somewhat content with the position he is in in relation to the boy. It also appears that they are in a park and that the dog has some sort of scarf around its neck.

Now that we know the central idea or message… What was the artist trying to depict in this picture? We could wonder about the relationship between the boy and the dog. Portrayed a utopia vision of what childhood should look like, where every child has a pet. Stereotype is portrayed in the picture about how every child should have a pet and be in love with his best friend.”

What are some strategies I just used to close read that picture? 1. First glance. Ask yourself: What is this text really about? What is the central idea, theme or message? 2. Second read: A longer look. Ask yourself: Now let’s look through the lens of text evidence. What is the narrator saying/doing/thinks to back up that claim?

Why do we close read? To uncover layers that deepen our understanding of the text. To discover different perspectives as we read the text

3 Questions to Ask Yourself While Reading What does it SAY? What does it MEAN? Why does it MATTER? You should SUMMARIZE. ANALYZE the text using LENSES. Make a CONNECTION.

LENSES

List of Close Reading Lenses Style & Structure Characterization Theme Textual Evidence Figurative Language Word Choice and Mood

LET’S FOCUS ON WORD CHOICE…

What is Word Choice? Word Choice refers to specific words chosen by the writer in preference to another. The words are often verbs or adjectives. The words usually reflect the writer’s attitude about the topic. e.g. She is knowledgeable (suggests respect) She is opinionated(now she is irritating!)

Things to consider for Word Choice: Colloquial language / slang. An informal tone is created. Perhaps uses second person (you), informal reference to a person e.g. using their first name or a nickname, abbreviations. Emotive language – strong words to stir / manipulate emotions. These words will have strong connotations. Emotive language often reveals the writer’s attitude to their topic. Jargon – technical / formal language. Archaisms – old fashioned words.

Denotation and Connotation Denotation - give a literal meaning of the word (often a definition.) Connotation: words that spring to mind when you read / hear certain words. E.g. Dove = freedom, peace, happiness. Red = danger, upset, fear. Use the connotations to show how it conveys a particular attitude / feeling etc.

Exit Time to practice! Read the passage on your exit slip and complete the questions: What does it say? What does it mean? Why does it matter?