Close Reading

What is close reading?

How to Do a Close Reading
Read with a pencil in hand, and annotate the text.
Look for patterns in the things you've noticed about the text—repetitions, contradictions, similarities.
Ask questions about the patterns you've noticed—especially how and why

The four levels
Linguistic
You pay especially close attention to the surface linguistic elements of the text – that is, to aspects of vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. You might also note such things as figures of speech or any other features which contribute to the writer’s individual style.

The four levels
Semantic
You take account at a deeper level of what the words mean – that is, what information they yield up, what meanings they denote and connote.

The four levels
Structural
You note the possible relationships between words within the text – and this might include items from either the linguistic or semantic types of reading.

The four levels
Cultural
You note the relationship of any elements of the text to things outside it. These might be other pieces of writing by the same author, or other writings of the same type by different writers. They might be items of social or cultural history, or even other academic disciplines which might seem relevant, such as philosophy or psychology.

Checklist
Grammar
The relationships of the words in sentences
Vocabulary
The author’s choice of individual words
Figures of speech
The rhetorical devices used to give decoration and imaginative expression to literature, such as simile or metaphor

Checklist
Literary devices
The devices commonly used in literature to give added depth to the work, such as imagery or symbolism
Tone
The author’s attitude to the subject as revealed in the manner of the writing
Style
The author’s particular choice and combination of all these features of writing which creates a recognisable and distinctive manner of writing

Falling
In Love
With
Close
Reading