Early in the first semester of AP Lit we learned how to properly close read a passage, an important skill to master before attempting the multiple choice and essay questions on the exam. The important aspects of close reading are:
· First Impressions
o Among the first and second things you notice in the passage, do they complement or contradict each other?
o What mood does the passage create in you?
· Vocab and Diction
o Which words do you notice first? What is noteworthy about them?
o Do any words seem oddly used?
o Do any words have extra connotations?
· Discerning Patterns
o Could this passage symbolize the entire work?
o What is the sentence rhythm like?
o Is there anything unusual about the punctuation?
· Point of View and Characterization
o Are there colors, sounds, physical descriptions that appeal to the senses?
o Does any imagery form a pattern?
o Who speaks in the passage, and who is the recipient of any speech?
· Symbolism
o Are there metaphors?
o Is there any religious or biblical significance to the metaphors?
o Could we read the entire passage as having allegorical meaning beyond the literal level?
This is an excellent summary of close reading, doubtlessly one of the key areas of study for us this year. This could easily be used as a study guide and nicely combines and organizes the information. Good!
ReplyDeleteThis description of close reading is very accurate. Each question is helpful in deciding what to look for in a certain passage and leads to the author's purpose. You could include a little bit more of a way to use all of this information. Also, I'm not sure if this is really one of the most important things in class, since we only focused on it for a few days in class. Maybe you could choose a more general topic? Good job!
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