how to write a good close reading essay

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Close Reading: A How To Step by Step Guide

Discover the essentials of close reading with our comprehensive guide, featuring strategies and tips to enhance reading comprehension.

Close reading is a powerful analytical approach used to understand literature and other texts on a deeper level. Close reading reveals underlying themes and ideas by examining the details, language, and structure, making it an essential skill for students, educators, and anyone who wishes to engage deeply with a text. This article will explore the concept in detail, including its meaning, strategies, and practical applications.

What is Close Reading?

Close reading involves a detailed and focused interpretation of a text. It aims to uncover the complexities of literature by examining elements such as language, structure, and meaning . Instead of merely skimming through a passage, close reading requires a meticulous examination to reveal the deeper layers of a text. This technique allows readers to engage critically , uncovering hidden meanings and connections that may not be apparent on a surface-level reading.

Close Reading in Practice

Close reading is not limited to literature. The strategy can also apply to nonfiction , historical documents, or even visual media . In all these contexts, the focus is on understanding both what is being said and how it is being said . The approach highlights the importance of analyzing word choice, stylistic elements, and structural features to grasp the text’s full impact.

Unlike other types of reading, close reading requires readers to pay attention to every word, phrase, and stylistic choice . While general reading aims for comprehension, close reading strives to understand the nuances, ambiguities, and subtleties embedded in the text.

Close Reading Definition for Students

For students, close reading is a careful and purposeful technique focusing on understanding a text’s more profound meaning. It involves paying close attention to the choice of words, sentence structure, and literary devices to determine how they contribute to the text’s overall message.

Close reading is crucial because it enhances critical thinking, comprehension, and analytical abilities . These skills are valuable in literary studies and across various academic subjects, where the ability to understand and interpret texts is fundamental.

The Close Reading Analysis

Analysis is at the heart of close reading. It involves breaking down a text to understand its components and how they contribute to the whole. When conducting a close reading analysis, readers should look for themes, symbols, tone, and other vital elements that provide insight into the author’s intent.

For example, identifying recurring motifs or patterns can reveal central themes, while analyzing figurative language may help uncover hidden meanings. Shifts in tone or style indicate changes in the text’s focus or mood, providing further clues to the overall message of a text.

Close Reading Strategy

Effective strategies are needed to conduct a successful close reading. Annotation, highlighting, and note-taking are vital tools in this process. Readers can actively engage with the material by marking up the text and jotting down thoughts and questions either in the margins or in a dialectical journal.

Another important strategy is to re-read the text multiple times , each time with a different focus. During the first read, aim for a basic understanding. Subsequent readings should delve into specific aspects like vocabulary, themes, and literary devices . Approaching the text like a “detective” searching for clues can help readers unlock the text’s deeper layers.

How to Close Read

Practical steps for close reading involve:

• Reading the text slowly and carefully : Take time to understand each passage, noting any unfamiliar words or phrases.
• Highlighting important passages : Mark sections that seem significant or puzzling. Write marginal notes to capture initial thoughts. Focus on questions you have about the passage.
• Looking for key elements : Pay attention to tone, language, imagery, and symbolism . Identify any shifts in perspective, tone, or structure.
• Asking questions : Reflect on why the author might have made certain choices and how they impact the overall meaning.Practical steps for close reading involve:

Steps for Close Reading

Here’s a step-by-step guide for conducting a close reading:

Step 1: Read the text thoroughly for a basic understanding.

• Aim to grasp the general message or ideas presented in the text.
• Pay attention to the text’s structure, organization, and key points. Look for structural elements like breaks, bullet points, subheadings, illustrations, and images.
• Identify any unfamiliar words or concepts and look them up to clarify their meaning.

Step 2: Annotate the text, noting essential words, phrases, and sections.

• Write notes about what stands out or raises questions.
• Highlight or underline important words, phrases, and sections of the text.
• Make notes of any connections or patterns (motifs) you notice between different parts of the text.
• Use different colors or symbols to mark various types of information, such as main ideas, supporting details, and examples.

Step 3: Re-read, focusing on literary elements such as themes and symbols.

• Pay attention to how different elements relate to one another.
• Identify any recurring themes (lessons) or motifs (patterns) in the text.
• Analyze the use of symbols and metaphors to understand their significance.
• Consider the text’s historical and cultural context to appreciate its meaning better.

Step 4: Ask questions about the text’s purpose, tone, and structure.

• By considering the text’s form and the author’s purpose, readers can better understand the text’s meaning and significance.

Questions About the Text’s Purpose

• What’s the author’s message or argument?
• Why did they choose this topic or theme?
• Who’s the intended audience, and how does it affect the text?
• What effect does the author want the text to have on the reader?
• Are there underlying motivations or biases?
• How does the purpose shape the language and devices used?

Questions About tone (the author’s feelings toward their subject)

• What’s the text’s tone, and how does it affect the reader?
• Does the tone change, and why?
• How does the author’s word choice contribute to the tone?
• Are there humor, sarcasm, or irony, and how do they impact the message?
• How does the tone reflect the author’s attitude toward the subject matter?
• Does the tone create a specific mood or emotional response in the reader?
• How would the meaning change if the tone were different?

Questions About Structure

• How is the text organized, and how do sections develop the meaning?
• How does the structure contribute to the effectiveness of the message?
• Are there repeated patterns or motifs, and what is their significance?
• How do transitions between sections affect the flow and coherence?
• Is the pacing consistent, or does it vary, and why?
• Does the structure mirror the content in any way?
• How do the opening and closing of the text shape its overall impact?

Step 5: Write a summary or analysis of your findings.

• Synthesize the information gathered to present a coherent interpretation.
• Write a summary that captures the text’s main points and your analysis of its literary elements.
• Discuss the significance of the text’s themes, symbols, and structure in relation to its overall meaning.
• Present your insights and interpretations of the text, supported by evidence from the text.

Read more about writing summaries. 

Tips for effective close reading: Take breaks between readings to reflect on your discoveries. Sharing your findings can also provide new perspectives and deepen your understanding.

Close Reading Questions

To conduct a thorough reading, consider the following types of questions:

1. What is the significance of the word choice in this passage?

• Examine the author’s selection of words, paying attention to specific nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Analyze how the word choice contributes to the passage’s overall tone, mood, and atmosphere.
• Consider whether the author uses figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, or personification, to enhance the impact of their word choice.

2. How does the tone change throughout the text, and why?

• Identify shifts in tone from one section to another.
• Explore the reasons behind these changes, such as changes in the subject matter, the author’s perspective, or the intended audience.
• Examine how the author’s language use contributes to these tone changes.

3. What themes are present, and how are they conveyed?

• Identify the central themes or messages that the passage explores.
• Analyze how these themes are introduced, developed, and supported throughout the text.
• Examine the author’s use of literary devices, such as symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing, to convey these themes.

Additional questions to consider:

• What is the historical or cultural context of the passage?
• How does the passage reflect the author’s personal experiences or beliefs?
• What connections can be made between this passage and other works of literature or art?
• What broader social, political, or philosophical issues does the passage address?
• How does the passage challenge or reinforce existing beliefs or values?

These questions encourage readers to look beyond surface-level content and explore how the text’s language and structure shape its meaning—formulating questions that focus on “how” and “why” rather than “what” can lead to deeper insights. Additionally, considering the text’s historical or cultural context may offer valuable background information.

Close Reading Essay Example

Writing a close-reading essay involves structuring an analysis in a coherent format:

• Introduction : State the text being analyzed and the essay’s main focus.
• Thesis : Present a unique interpretation of the text.
• Body Paragraphs : Analyze specific passages, providing evidence to support the thesis.
• Conclusion : Summarize the analysis and reflect on its broader implications.

Close Reading Guide for Teachers

Close reading is an essential skill that helps students engage deeply with a text, promoting critical thinking and enhancing comprehension. This guide provides strategies, techniques, and practical tips for teachers to implement close reading in the classroom effectively. It covers planning, teaching methods, and ways to support students as they learn to analyze texts in depth.

Why Teach Close Reading?

Close reading benefits students in several ways:

• Develop Critical Thinking : Students learn to think critically about authors’ choices by analyzing how a text is constructed.
• Enhances Comprehension : Close reading helps students go beyond a superficial understanding of a text and delve into its deeper meaning.
• Prepares for Advanced Analysis : Close reading skills are foundational for higher-level literary analysis and academic writing.
• Supports Standardized Testing : Many assessments, such as SAT and ACT, require close reading skills for comprehension and analysis questions.

Planning a Close Reading Lesson

When planning a close reading lesson, consider the following steps:

• Select an Appropriate Text : Choose a short, challenging text or excerpt that offers multiple layers of meaning. Poetry, excerpts from novels, speeches, or complex informational texts work well.
• Define Learning Objectives : Set specific goals for what students should be able to do after the lesson, such as identifying themes, analyzing literary devices, or understanding the author’s purpose.
• Determine Key Focus Areas : Decide which aspects of the text to emphasize (e.g., language, tone, symbolism). This focus will guide the questions and activities you design.
• Prepare Guiding Questions : Develop questions encouraging students to dig deeper into the text. Include a mix of literal, inferential, and evaluative questions.
• Plan Annotations or Activities : Decide how students will engage with the text—through annotation, group discussions, or written responses.
• Teaching Close Reading: Strategies and Techniques

Here are some strategies for conducting a close reading:

• Model the Process : Begin by demonstrating how to read a short passage closely. Think aloud as you annotate, showing how you notice keywords, ask questions and make connections.
• Chunk the Text : Break the text into manageable sections. This allows students to focus on specific details without feeling overwhelmed.
• Annotate the Text : Teach students to highlight or underline key phrases, write marginal notes, and circle unfamiliar words. Annotation helps them engage actively with the text.
• First Reading : Aim for general understanding and identification of the main idea.
• Second Reading : Focus on specific literary elements, such as word choice, tone, or figurative language.
• Third Reading : Review deeper analysis, considering the text’s themes and implications.
• What is the significance of this word choice?
• How does this passage contribute to the development of the theme?
• What tone does the author use, and how does it shape the meaning?
• Guiding Students Through the Close Reading Process

To support students as they develop close reading skills, guide them through these steps:

• Provide background information or context to help students understand the text.
• Preview essential vocabulary that might be challenging.
• Have students read the text independently to grasp the overall meaning.
• Discuss what the text is about and what they noticed.
• Ask students to re-read the text, paying attention to the author’s language, tone, and stylistic choices.
• Encourage them to annotate the text, marking essential passages, questions, or surprising details.
• Focus on uncovering themes, the author’s purpose, and the text’s implications.
• Use discussion or written responses to explore more profound interpretations.
• Encourage students to relate the text to other readings, their own experiences, or broader themes in literature.
• Discuss how the text’s meaning changes when viewed through different perspectives.

Close Reading Activities for the Classroom

Incorporate these activities to make close reading interactive and engaging:

• Annotation Stations : Set up different stations where students annotate the text for specific purposes (e.g., imagery at one station and tone at another).
• Group Discussions : Have students work in small groups to answer text-dependent questions, then share their findings with the class.
• Socratic Seminars : This discussion method fosters in-depth dialogue about the text. Encourage students to ask and respond to open-ended questions.
• Close Reading Journals : Have students keep a journal to document their annotations, reflections, and responses to guiding questions.
• Text-Comparison Exercises : Compare the primary text with another related text to analyze similarities and differences in themes, language, and structure.

Assessing Close Reading

To evaluate students’ close reading skills, consider the following methods:

• Annotations and Notes : Review students’ annotations for evidence of critical thinking and engagement with the text.
• Written Responses or Essays : Have students write analytical paragraphs or essays based on their close reading, citing evidence to support their interpretations.
• Class Participation : Observe students during discussions for their ability to support their points with textual evidence.
• Quizzes on Specific Passages : Create quizzes focusing on understanding particular passages and their significance.

Addressing Common Challenges

Students may struggle with close reading for various reasons. Here’s how to address common challenges:

• Break the text into smaller sections.
• Provide guiding questions for each section.
• Gradually reduce the amount of support, encouraging students to apply close reading techniques independently.
• Encourage peer discussions where students can help each other.
• Provide a list of annotation symbols or prompts to help guide students’ annotations.
• Model effective annotation practices regularly.
• Choose high-interest or relatable texts.
• Allow students to select texts for some close reading assignments.

Close Reading Resources for Teachers

Consider using these resources to support your close reading lessons:

• Online Tools : Platforms like CommonLit , Newsela , or ReadWorks offer texts with built-in close reading questions.
• Close Reading Graphic Organizers : Use organizers that guide students in annotating texts, noting themes, and identifying literary elements.
• Books on Close Reading : Texts like Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst provide insights and strategies for teaching.

Close reading is a fundamental skill in literary analysis. It allows readers to engage deeply with texts and uncover their hidden layers. One can reveal the complexities and beauty of written works by paying close attention to language, structure, and literary devices. Whether applied in academic settings or personal reading, mastering close reading enriches the experience of literature and enhances one’s ability to think critically.

References :

Fun Ways To Learn The 50 States With Kids. https://www.homeschoolof1.com/50-states/  

Beers, Kylene, and Robert E. Probst. Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading . Heinemann, 2012.

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How to do a close reading essay [Updated 2024]

Close reading refers to the process of interpreting a literary work’s meaning by analyzing both its form and content. In this post, we provide you with strategies for close reading that you can apply to your next assignment or analysis.

What is a close reading?

Close reading involves paying attention to a literary work’s language, style, and overall meaning. It includes looking for patterns, repetitions, oddities, and other significant features of a text. Your goal should be to reveal subtleties and complexities beyond an initial reading.

The primary difference between simply reading a work and doing a close reading is that, in the latter, you approach the text as a kind of detective.

When you’re doing a close reading, a literary work becomes a puzzle. And, as a reader, your job is to pull all the pieces together—both what the text says and how it says it.

How do you do a close reading?

Typically, a close reading focuses on a small passage or section of a literary work. Although you should always consider how the selection you’re analyzing fits into the work as a whole, it’s generally not necessary to include lengthy summaries or overviews in a close reading.

There are several aspects of the text to consider in a close reading:

• Literal Content: Even though a close reading should go beyond an analysis of a text’s literal content, every reading should start there. You need to have a firm grasp of the foundational content of a passage before you can analyze it closely. Use the common journalistic questions (Who? What? When? Where? Why?) to establish the basics like plot, character, and setting.
• Tone: What is the tone of the passage you’re examining? How does the tone influence the entire passage? Is it serious, comic, ironic, or something else?
• Characterization: What do you learn about specific characters from the passage? Who is the narrator or speaker? Watch out for language that reveals the motives and feelings of particular characters.
• Structure: What kind of structure does the work utilize? If it’s a poem, is it written in free or blank verse? If you’re working with a novel, does the structure deviate from certain conventions, like straightforward plot or realism? Does the form contribute to the overall meaning?
• Figurative Language: Examine the passage carefully for similes, metaphors, and other types of figurative language. Are there repetitions of certain figures or patterns of opposition? Do certain words or phrases stand in for larger issues?
• Diction: Diction means word choice. You should look up any words that you don’t know in a dictionary and pay attention to the meanings and etymology of words. Never assume that you know a word’s meaning at first glance. Why might the author choose certain words over others?
• Style and Sound: Pay attention to the work’s style. Does the text utilize parallelism? Are there any instances of alliteration or other types of poetic sound? How do these stylistic features contribute to the passage’s overall meaning?
• Context: Consider how the passage you’re reading fits into the work as a whole. Also, does the text refer to historical or cultural information from the world outside of the text? Does the text reference other literary works?

Once you’ve considered the above features of the passage, reflect on its relationship to the work’s larger themes, ideas, and actions. In the end, a close reading allows you to expand your understanding of a text.

Close reading example

Let’s take a look at how this technique works by examining two stanzas from Lorine Niedecker’s poem, “ I rose from marsh mud ”:

I rose from marsh mud, algae, equisetum, willows, sweet green, noisy birds and frogs to see her wed in the rich rich silence of the church, the little white slave-girl in her diamond fronds.

First, we need to consider the stanzas’ literal content. In this case, the poem is about attending a wedding. Next, we should take note of the poem’s form: four-line stanzas, written in free verse.

From there, we need to look more closely at individual words and phrases. For instance, the first stanza discusses how the speaker “rose from marsh mud” and then lists items like “algae, equisetum, willows” and “sweet green,” all of which are plants. Could the speaker have been gardening before attending the wedding?

Now, juxtapose the first stanza with the second: the speaker leaves the natural world of mud and greenness for the “rich/ rich silence of the church.” Note the repetition of the word, “rich,” and how the poem goes on to describe the “little white slave-girl/ in her diamond fronds,” the necessarily “rich” jewelry that the bride wears at her wedding.

Niedecker’s description of the diamond jewelry as “fronds” refers back to the natural world of plants that the speaker left behind. Note also the similarities in sound between the “frogs” of the first stanza and the “fronds” of the second.

We might conclude from a comparison of the two stanzas that, while the “marsh mud” might be full of “noisy/ birds and frogs,” it’s a far better place to be than the “rich/rich silence of the church.”

Ultimately, even a short close reading of Niedecker’s poem reveals layers of meaning that enhance our understanding of the work’s overall message.

How to write a close reading essay

Getting started.

Before you can write your close reading essay, you need to read the text that you plan to examine at least twice (but often more than that). Follow the above guidelines to break down your close reading into multiple parts.

Once you’ve read the text closely and made notes, you can then create a short outline for your essay. Determine how you want to approach to structure of your essay and keep in mind any specific requirements that your instructor may have for the assignment.

Structure and organization

Some close reading essays will simply analyze the text’s form and content without making a specific argument about the text. Other times, your instructor might want you to use a close reading to support an argument. In these cases, you’ll need to include a thesis statement in the introduction to your close reading essay.

You’ll organize your essay using the standard essay format. This includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Most of your close reading will be in the body paragraphs.

Formatting and length

The formatting of your close reading essay will depend on what type of citation style that your assignment requires. If you’re writing a close reading for a composition or literature class , you’ll most likely use MLA or Chicago style.

The length of your essay will vary depending on your assignment guidelines and the length and complexity of the text that you’re analyzing. If your close reading is part of a longer paper, then it may only take up a few paragraphs.

Citations and bibliography

Since you will be quoting directly from the text in your close reading essay, you will need to have in-text, parenthetical citations for each quote. You will also need to include a full bibliographic reference for the text you’re analyzing in a bibliography or works cited page.

To save time, use a credible citation generator like BibGuru to create your in-text and bibliographic citations. You can also use our citation guides on MLA and Chicago to determine what you need to include in your citations.

Frequently Asked Questions about how to do a close reading

A successful close reading pays attention to both the form and content of a literary work. This includes: literal content, tone, characterization, structure, figurative language, diction, sound, style, and context.

A close reading essay is a paper that analyzes a text or a portion of a text. It considers both the form and content of the text. The specific format of your close reading essay will depend on your assignment guidelines.

Skimming and close reading are opposite approaches. Skimming involves scanning a text superficially in order to glean the most important points, while close reading means analyzing the details of a text’s language, style, and overall form.

You might begin a close reading by providing some context about the passage’s significance to the work as a whole. You could also briefly summarize the literal content of the section that you’re examining.

The length of your essay will vary depending on your assignment guidelines and the length and complexity of the text that you’re analyzing.

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Close-Reading Strategies: The Ultimate Guide to Close Reading

Close reading helps you not only read a text, but analyze it. The process of close reading teaches you to approach a text actively, considering the text’s purpose, how the author chose to present it, and how these decisions impact the text.

The close reading strategy improves your reading comprehension, your analysis, and your writing. Close reading will help you write essays and perform well on standardized tests like the SAT Reading Section . Any age group can practice close reading, and it works with any text.

This article will outline everything you need to know about close reading, including what it is, why it's important, how to do a close reading, and 5 strategies to improve your close reading abilities.

What is close reading?

Close reading is a reading method that examines not only the text’s content but how the author’s rhetorical, literary, and structural decisions help develop it to achieve a purpose.

No matter the text genre–narrative, informational, argumentative, poetry, or editorial–the author uses language to achieve some purpose: to inform, convince, entertain the audience, or a combination. In every text, the author utilizes a variety of rhetorical and literary strategies, or devices, to achieve these effects on the audience.

Common literary strategies or devices that impact every text:

Diction: Word choice

Syntax: Sentence structure

Tone: Emotion of the words used

Conflict: Problems, issues, or disagreements within or related to the text

Structure: The order of the words, sentences, paragraphs, and ideas

Point of view: The speaker’s perspective on the events or subject matter

Genre: The category or “type” of text–fiction, science-fiction, scientific article, etc.

Imagery: The sensory or visual language the author uses to describe the subject, characters, setting, etc.

Close reading observes how the author uses these strategies to develop the text, create an intended effect upon the reader, and build a central message or main idea.

Why is close reading important?

Close reading is important because it helps you comprehend the text, develop deeper ideas about its meaning, and write and talk about the text with more sophistication. When you consider not just what the text says, but how and why the author constructs it that way, you move beyond surface-level reading into analysis.

Close reading allows you to notice details, language, and connections that you may have previously overlooked. These observations create insights about the text, leading to richer class discussions, better essays, and more joy while reading. Observing an author’s strategies also improves your writing, as you gradually begin to emulate the strategies you notice.

How do you do a close reading?

Do a close reading by selecting a text passage, closely observing the writing style and structure while you read, noticing the author's language choices, underlining and annotating your observations, and asking questions about the text.

General Close-Reading Process:

Select a text passage: Pick a piece of text or passage that you want to analyze. The sweet spot usually lies between roughly one and three paragraphs. Songs and poems also work well for close reading.

Notice the writing style: As you read, ask yourself “What stands out to me about this author’s style? What patterns, words, and choices do I notice?” Pay attention to the emotions you feel as you read, identifying what in the text triggers that response.

Observe the structure: Notice how the author orders words, sentences, lines, and paragraphs. Consider how this order builds an image or idea about the text’s subject. Ask yourself, “How does this structure develop my understanding of the subject?”

Notice language choices: The author selected particular words to build a tone, evoke images in the reader’s mind, create a nuanced argument, or have some other effect on the reader. Note powerful or significant diction–word choice–and consider the purpose it serves, or how it develops any of the devices listed above, such as tone or imagery.

Underline: Have a pencil while you read and–if you’re allowed to mark the paper–underline any observations you make. Underline any of the devices listed above, anything that has an effect on you, or anything you enjoy. There’s no right or wrong way to underline a text, so underline whatever catches your interest.

Annotate: Record your thoughts and observations as you read, by writing in the margins, on a separate sheet of paper, or using an assigned annotation format. Feel free to note questions, individual words, literary devices, or anything you notice.

Ask questions: Along with the annotation ideas listed above, formulate questions and write them down while you read. Generally, the best questions begin with how or why . For example, “Why did the author use this word?” or “How does this detail affect the reader?”

5 Close Reading Strategies to Improve Analysis and Comprehension

Here are my 5 favorite strategies to improve your close reading, analysis, and reading comprehension:

Generate a purpose question (PQ)

Annotate with your PQ in mind

Track the 5 Ws

Notice the conflict

Identify the tone

Generate a Purpose Question

A purpose question (PQ) is a question you pose before reading a text to help you read actively. You can create a PQ for a text of any genre or length–a novel, a short story, a poem, a passage, or an informational text–and there is no right or wrong way to create a PQ.

To create a purpose question, consider any pre-reading context you have:

Text images

School assignment guidelines

Any task you’re expected to complete when you finish reading

Examine the text’s title to guess what the text is about, then formulate an open-ended question that relates to the text, what it might say, and what might be important. As you read, seek and underline information that relates to your PQ and helps you answer it. By the time you finish reading, you should be able to answer your PQ.

Generally, the best open-ended questions begin with how or why .

Your PQ will sometimes simply repurpose the text’s title into a question, like these examples:

Text TitleExample PQ “A Good Man is Hard to Find?” (fiction)Why is a good man hard to find?“The Lady with the Dog” (fiction)What is so important about the lady and her dog?“The Fringe Benefits of Failure” (essay)How can failure be beneficial?“An Epidemic of Fear” (essay)What is causing the epidemic of fear?“New Therapies to Aid Muscle Regeneration” (article)How do these new therapies aid muscle regeneration?

Write down your PQ, either on the text itself or on a separate sheet of paper for note-taking. When you read with a purpose–like answering a question–it becomes easier to identify and annotate what’s important in the text.

Annotate with your PQ in Mind

It’s much easier to take good notes when you have a reading goal–something to answer or accomplish, such as a PQ.

As you read and annotate the text, refer to your purpose question. Search the text for details that relate to and help you answer your PQ. When you find relevant details, underline them and record how the detail relates to your PQ. If you can’t write on the text itself, record your thoughts on a separate paper or word document.

Here’s how and where I annotate a text, and what I usually write in my annotations.

Where and How to Annotate a TextWhat to Write Underline the text Questions –what did you ask or wonder while reading?Write in the margin Thoughts and connections –what did the text make you think about?Use a separate sheet of paper Comments –what made you underline that particular word or detail?On your phone or computer–use a notetaking app or a Google Doc Significance –why is that particular detail important?

As you read the text, constantly ask yourself, How does this information help me answer my PQ? When you’re finished with the text, you should be able to answer your purpose question–and the notes you’ve taken should help you do that.

To monitor your own comprehension while you read, remain aware of the text’s 5 Ws: who, what, where, when, why.

After every sentence or section, reflect to verify the following information:

Who: Who is the text about? Who is narrating, or telling the story?

What: What is the text about?

Where: Where do the text’s events take place?

When: When did the text’s events occur?

Why: Why did this main event occur? Why did the storyteller write this text?

At any given point while you read, you should be able to identify this context. If you realize that you’re disoriented and have lost track of some key Ws, revisit the most recent sentences to see if you missed something critical. Then, continue on with the text, mindfully searching for the information you’re missing.

If you finish reading and still feel uncertain about this core information, revisit the first paragraph. A passage’s first paragraph usually provides fundamental details–such as the characters, setting, main event, and the story’s general context. Revisiting this paragraph sometimes alerts you to basic details you overlooked during your first readthrough.

The 5 Ws also work as an annotation strategy, where you underline all textual information related to the 5 Ws.

Notice the Conflict

Every story or passage centers around at least one conflict. A conflict is the characters’ primary struggle–the issue they’re faced with, the main challenge they try to overcome.

Keep in mind that a conflict can be external or internal. An external conflict takes place outside the character in the physical world–such as a fistfight, an argument with a friend, or committing a bank robbery. An internal conflict takes place inside the narrator–such as struggling to get over a girlfriend, becoming jealous of a friend, or worrying about how peers will perceive a behavior.

As you read, ask yourself “What is the character’s primary issue or challenge?” While there may be more than one, try to identify the most central, prominent conflict. By identifying a story’s conflict, you can observe and annotate how the author emphasizes it through storytelling elements–character development, tone, word choice, and structure. Underline these elements and write a few words describing how they build or relate to the central conflict.

Identify the Tone

A text’s tone is the speaker’s attitude toward the subject matter–actions, characters, or events in the text. Every piece of writing has multiple tones, which develop and change throughout the text according to the writer’s word choice.

Describe the tone using adjectives :

To Kill a Mockingbird began with a lighthearted tone and progressed to a dark , tense tone as the plot continued.

The article about bees used an informative , professional tone.

My writing always has an informal tone, even when I want it to be academic .

Hermann Hesse ends Siddhartha with a serene and beautiful tone.

Each sentence carries a unique tone, causing a story’s tone to change subtly every few lines. As you read, notice how the tone develops as the story continues. Underline the words and phrases that most powerfully create the tone, describing the tone in the margin. If you notice a sudden shift in tone, underline the point where it changed and write a few words about how it changed.

Close Reading Strategies Make You a Better Reader

Close reading is more than just a classroom assignment–it’s a reading method that helps you analyze and comprehend all texts. It will help you in class, on your own, and on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT Reading Sections .

While you may initially practice close reading by underlining and writing notes in the margin, over time it will influence the way you approach all texts: You will find yourself prereading a text, considering the title, generating a purpose question, tracking the 5 Ws while you read, asking questions, observing the text’s conflict, and noticing the tone.

Close reading helps you comprehend difficult texts, and it helps you write essays for class. It’s an all-purpose writing strategy.

• Reading Skills

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