Close Reading

This semester we will be focusing on close reading as a form of literary criticism. There are many reasons to close read:

Close reading is democratic: all readers are equal (special knowledge is not necessary).
Close reading prioritizes an interaction between reader and text, rather than one over the other.
Close reading develops skills of interpretation (hermeneutics), which require thoughtful reflection.
Close reading assumes a text cannot be completely explained: it requires readers to develop a relationship with the text and ultimately themselves through the process of discovery.

In addition to all of these reasons, an important goal of close reading is to allow the text to speak in its own language. In order to allow a text to speak in its own language, close reading requires that you, the reader, learn the language of the text (another world). As a close reader and writer, you will need patience and a belief in the value of the text and this "other" world. This requires confidence, practice, and the ability to disappear as your “self” and reappear through the language of the text.

Requirements

You will write two (2) close readings this semester.
First Close Reading: Choose a word or passage from Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy to close read:
- Due Friday, October 17 at 23:59.

Second Close Reading: You may chose any text from this semester other than Boethius. Please do not repeat your writings from previous assignments, courses, or midterm.
- Due Friday December 12 at 23:59.

Format: One page, double-spaced, Times New Roman Font, and One Inch (normal) margins (Approximately 300 words).
Grades will be out of 100.
Close readings will be submitted to Turnitin through Moodle.
Plagiarism will not be accepted. This includes the use of Artificial Intelligence in any form.

CLOSE READING GUIDE

What is NOT close reading

1) Do not summarize: close reading assumes you have read the text and understand what it is saying in a general sense. Close reading moves beyond summary to the details of the text.

2) Do not generalize: Close reading assumes that a text cannot be generalized into facts or truths. A text’s meanings can only slowly be unfolded.

3) Plagiarism will not be accepted. See Syllabus.

Before Close Reading

1) READ ENTIRE THE TEXT. This is assumed for all literature students.

2) Take notes: summary, argument, main points, plot development, characters, setting, and transitions are a good place to start. Make a note of repeated, interesting, and unique words, paradoxical, problematic passages or forms. IMPORTANT: your initial emotional response to the text is about you, not the text (example: "I like, love, hate, laugh, am indifferent to, or bored and confused by the text). Move beyond your first response, summary, and common sense understandings to an analysis of “how” the text does what it does.

3) Look up words in a dictionary! Here’s a good place to start: http://www.etymonline.com

4) IMPORTANT: Some of the most interesting close readings appear though the hard work of clarifying initial confusion and deconstructing initial beliefs.

5) Select a word or short passage to be your focus.

Close Reading Examples

Examples

Close Reading Guide

After you have studied the text, use the following guidelines to structure your essay. Remember, you only have ONE page. Use it efficiently.

Choose a word or short passage: this will be the focus of your close reading.

Introduction: introduce the passage, be it a key word, paradoxical, problematic, interesting or important phrase. Always give the passage and quote exactly from the text. The words, grammar, style, or some other feature will be the focus of your close reading. Develop a thesis that will point to your close reading as important in understanding the larger text.

Paraphrase: put the meaning of this word or passage in your own words. Offer a general understanding of the word or passage’s meaning and then look closely at what is actually (or possibly) happening in the sentence you quote. In your paraphrase, situate the passage clearly between what comes BEFORE and AFTER in the text.

Change contexts (or frames): an alternate point of view can reveal new aspects of the word or passage. Think about alternate definitions (etymologies), sentence structure, genre, imagery, tone, or other unique cultural information. How does the new context/frame change or reinforce the meaning of your passage?

Rhetorical phrases can help you draw the attention to the text (not you!). Rhetorical phrases also transition between paragraphs and help you go back to the passage. Examples:

If we return to this passage,
In addition to the accepted meaning, this word also meant (x) in the 12th and 13th centuries… (look it up!)
After a second reading,
If we look at the form, tone, sentence structure, imagery, literary devices, etc.,
If we look at this passage in relation to ______ (change frame),
If we look at what comes right before this passage,
If we look at what comes right after this passage,
Instead of reading what is written, if we look at what is not written,
Instead of looking, if we listen to the sound of the text

Conclusions: What new or unique discovery has your close reading enabled? More often than not, close reading brings one’s original assumptions into question. You are not close reading if you can write, “This passage means (x).” Be sure to look at your conclusions and see if they follow from your introduction: if not, make them compatible (adjust your introduction/thesis, you conclusion, or both).

Editing

Finish your close reading early and leave it alone for a few days. Return to your essay on Tuesday or Wednesday and read it ALOUD:

Check for:

Spelling and Grammar
Transition sentences between paragraphs
Introduction and conclusion (with a clear thesis)
DELETE anything not related to your thesis or close reading. You have one page: use it efficiently! Ask yourself, "Does the reader need this or do I simply want to say it?" If the later, delete.

Grading Rubric

30 points: Word or very short passage must be interesting, important, or relevant.* Passage must be limited to a manageable size.

20 points: Proper essay format that follows guidelines.

10 points: Proper English with minimal spelling/grammar mistakes.

20 points: Style: Essay guides reader through the close reading from beginning to the end.

20 points: Focus: Essay stays focused on the chosen word or passage.

Total: 100 points

Plagiarism is not accepted. Please see syllabus.

* “Interesting, important, or relevant” could also mean a word that seems unimportant, uninteresting, orirrelevant, but turns out to be necessary to understanding the text.

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