Close reading strategies

Annotating

underlining or highlighting keywords and phrases

Step three in close reading strategies

Examining the patterns within a text (step?)

Explicit

A fact or idea that is directly stated. The meaning is certain and not open to interpretation.

Implicit meaning

A fact or idea that is implied but not directly stated. The meaning is uncertain and is open to interpretation.

Metaphor

A figure of speech that applies a term to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. For example: "The water was silk."

Similie

A figure of speech that compares one object or action with another using "like" or"as." For example: "The water was as soft as silk."

Close reading

A thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant detail or patterns to develop a deeper understanding of the text form, purpose, meaning, etc.

Heteronyms

A type homograph- words that are pronounced different, have different meanings, but are spelled the same. Example: "It is proper to bow before a king." and "He put a large bow on the gift."

Homophones

A type of homonym- they are words are pronounced the same and may be either spelled the same or different and they have different meanings. "The friar returned to his cell." and "I sell homemade bread online."

Capitonym

A word that changes meaning when it is capitalized. Example: "She turned the rich earth with her small shovel." and "The Earth turned away from the Sun."

Antonym

A word that means exactly or nearly the opposite as another word

Synonym

A word that means exactly or nearly the same as another word.

Personification

An extended metaphor in which an inanimate object, emotion, or idea is representative as having the qualities of a person. Example: The clouds wept.

Step one in close reading strategies

Annotating (step?)

Examining the patterns

Asking how or why repetitive keywords, phrases, or ideas are used by the author

Formal language

Correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

Informal language

Less strict adherence to the conventions of language. Informal language may also be called slang or colloquial language.

Step two in close reading strategies

Looking for patterns in the text (step?)

Close reading as an activity

Reading closely to determine the explicit and implicit meaning of the reading using textual evidence and making logical inferences.

Tone

The manner in which something is said that conveys a greater or different meaning than that what is said.

Atmosphere

The overall feeling of a piece of writing. Example: a funeral infers sadness or seriousness while a street fair infers joy and adventure.

Patterns in the text

These/this include(s) repetition, contradiction, or similarities of ideas, words, or phrases

Context

The words or phrases surrounding a particular word or phrase.

Contrast

To ideas which appear to be the opposite of each other. Examples: 1. light and dark 2. sadness and joy 3. large and small

Infer (in close reading)

To interpret a truth or an idea that is not explicitly stated by the author. The reader extrapolates this deeper meaning.

Imply (in close reading)

To strongly suggest a truth or an idea. The author suggests this deeper meaning.

Polysemy

Words or phrases that have different but related meaning, may be pronounced the same or different, and have the same spelling. Example: "-a very small pupil" may refer to a student of small size or the constricted pupil of the eye.

Homographs

Words that are pronounced the same have different meanings and may or may not be spelled the same.

Homonyms

Words that are spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings. Example: "She swung the bat and hit a home run." and "A little brown bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour."

Heterograph

Words that are spelled different, have different meanings, but are pronounced the same. Example: "I found a flea on the dog." and "They had to flee for their lives."

Synophone

Words that have different meaning and spelling and are pronounced similar but not identically. Example: "He rang the bell." and "He threw the ball."

Repetition

Words, phrases, ideas, or sounds are repeated to add deeper meaning.