Close Reading Strategies
STOP!
S = simple or complex
T = type of sentence
O = order of words
P = punctuation, patterns, parenthesis
Length of sentences
short sentences – stronger impact / faster pace /
dramatic!
long sentences – list of activities, descriptive detail /
slower pace
increasing length of sentences - building to a climax
Parallel structure
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words
to show that two or more ideas have the same level of
importance.
The coach told the players that they should get a lot of
sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they
should do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Lists
introduced by colons (:) separated by semicolons (;) or commas (,)
if the list features repetition of ‘and’, this
adds to the sense of build up, an accumulation
of descriptive detail …
Punctuation features
exclamation marks – greater impact to word / expression / phrase /
makes it stronger / more emphatic
question marks – involves the reader / grabs reader’s attention. Be
alert: it may be a rhetorical question which might suggest the
writer’s own attitude to the subject …
ellipsis – a stop in mid-sentence / a half-formed thought … drifting
off … unable to reach a conclusion … suggestion of further detail
inverted commas (“……”) – like italics, inverted commas are often
used to suggest ironic tone / to emphasise a particular word. Be
alert! The word in inverted commas may have a metaphorical not a
literal meaning
parenthesis (dashes or brackets or commas) – used to add further
information / or it can act as a writer’s comment on the main
subject of the sentence / look out too for a change of tone (the
author’s voice)
Inverted word order
dramatic impact if main subject is placed at end of sentence
Poverty they have everywhere! - by inverting this sentence, the author
emphasises both the situation (poverty) and how universal it is
(everywhere). Think about how much less effective it would be if the
sentence read: They have poverty everywhere. If you don’t see a
difference, give up English now!
Out darted a rabbit! - here the inversion emphasises the suddenness
(Out) of the rabbit's appearance.
Italics
Italics are often used to suggest ironic tone / to
emphasise a particular word / word in italics
may have a metaphorical not a literal meaning.
“You’re looking lovely today!” to someone who
obviously looks a mess!
Repetition
these structures are used for emphasis, to strengthen
the impact of the sentences, to reinforce the impact of
the writer’s meaning … Look at the examples below.
a word or phrase repeated at the start of a sequence of
sentences (At first, … At first, … At first, …)
a word or phrase repeated within a series of sentences
( … he had hated … he had hated … he had hated …)
a word or phrase repeated at the start of paragraphs (I
fought … I raced … I kissed … I sketched …)
Link questions
often a new paragraph will begin with a conjunction
(but, however, yet …) to indicate a change in direction
or introduce a new line of thought.
First comment on the conjunction and then say how
the line of argument has changed from before the
conjunction to after it …
Try to refer to the content of the previous paragraph
and the content of the new paragraph to highlight the
change!
Simply identifying techniques will score no
marks.
Simply asserting that a technique achieves a
particular effect will not score marks.
You must explain HOW the effect is achieved.
For example, when discussing
the effectiveness of a
metaphorical image, think 3
stages
eg When Angelina Jolie
walked (unexpectedly), into
the classroom, all the sixth
year boys were completely
bowled over …
Step 1 – identify the technique
Metaphor
Step 2 – define what the comparison is … the boys are being compared
to skittles while Miss Jolie is being compared to … a bowling ball! (Has
to
be
a
first!)
Step 3 – discuss the connotations
of the comparison – the effect
that Miss Jolie has on the boys is
as powerful as a great solid
bowling ball smashing into them
and knocking them all over. It
suggests
the
strength
of
Angelina’s physical appeal for the
boys, how they are left reeling
from the effect of her sudden
presence
It also suggests the weakness of
the boys in their ability to deal
with the shock of her sexual
appeal.