Close Reading Study Notes
Tick off each point when you are sure you understand it.
NAME:_________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
Make sure you read all the notes issued.
Learn how to answer types of questions:
Bullet point wherever possible: Clear, logical layout.
Understand that paraphrase in ‘U’ questions is essential: Key
points…Main ideas…Good/Bad points…Before/After
…Similarities/Differences…etc. Do not ‘lift’ key ideas.
5. Quote two examples of WORD CHOICE (select key word/words)
‘Hounded’ (1 mark) suggests ‘pestered’/pursue
6. Quote an expression (select a few key words)
7. “circled the globe”/’around the world”
8. In your own words (translate the answer to ensure you have used your
own words only. Make 2 separate points for this type of question)
9. For sentence structure questions you must be able to comment on
(explain the impact)
10. Length of sentences (short or long)
11. Short, simple sentences: abrupt/concise/suggestion of uncertainty
12. Long sentence : To convey complexity
13. One word sentence?
14. Separated sentence?
15. Positioning of sentence (at beginning of paragraph/end of paragraph)
16. Look at beginning and end of paragraph
17. Beginning – Look at topic sentence at beginning to set up paragraph
18. End – It often sums up/concludes
19. Look for repetition: Of a word? A parallel structure?
20. Look at items in a list (do they have anything in common?)
21. Look for parallel sentence structure (He said…He said.)
22. Look at word order:
23. “Practised, she did.” The positioning of “practised” at the beginning of
the sentence inverts (changes the usual word order of) the sentence.
This draws attention to/emphasises how often/frequently they had to
rehearse/practise. It puts the emphasis on ‘practised’ to show how
often they had to do it.
24.PUNCTUATION: Identify and explain why the following used …
25.COLON
26. SEMI – COLON
27. Dash
28. Inverted commas
29. Parenthesis (double dashes)
30. LISTS (purpose of colons & semi colons here)
31. EXCLAMATION MARKS
32. QUESTION MARKS
33. Look at tenses used: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE?
34. PAST: previous/nostalgia/reflection/already happened)
35. PRESENT: current/immediate/involving and engaging reader/happening
now – ending in ‘ing’ suggests ongoing activity
36. FUTURE: intention/hope/prediction/not definite
37.For technique questions you must explain the use /effect of:
38.SIMILE – A comparison using like or as (‘The boy is greedy like a pig’) to
describe something
39. METAPHOR – Saying something is something else (‘The boy is a pig’)
that it cannot be
40. ALLITERATION – Repetition of consonant letters (Peter Piper picked a
peck…)
41. ONOMATOPOEIA – A word which describes the sound it makes (‘whizz’,
‘whisper’, ‘whistling’)
42. PERSONIFICATION – Giving an object a human quality (‘The wind
whistled’)
a. For linking questions you must:
b. Identify a word which connects the sentence indicated with the previous
sentence/paragraph – half mark
c. Explain the point of the previous sentence/paragraph – half mark
d. Now – identify another word which introduces a new idea – half mark
e. Explain the new point being made
43.Make sure you can comment on the use of the following:
44. Inverted commas (‘autopilot’ –highlights it is jargon/used figuratively – it
is not literally the case)
45. Dashes (are used to add additional information about a specific thing)
46. Colons (introduces a list)
47. Semi-colons (separate items on a list; separate two parts of a sentence).
MORE NOTES:
Balanced sentence: semi-colon (contrast/antithesis). Youth is full of pleasure;
age is full of care.
Antithesis (opposite)
CONTEXT FORMULA – Suggested formula:
“ ……..x…………..” means …a…………………. I understand this due to
“…………………….” which also suggests ……b…………………….. Moreover, the
word/phrase “…………………….”also implies that ……c……………
Figures of speech – simile/metaphor/personification
Imagery answers require a formula: a balance of the literal root and the
metaphorical link being made.
1. Quote the actual words of your selected image and identify which
feature is involved
2. Specify the literal/denotative meaning – the root
3. Explain the wider connotations of the image
4. Comment on the link. Explain how the connotations help to enlarge or
clarify your idea of what is being described
Extended metaphor: ‘swamped’, ‘tidal wave’, ‘trickle’. The extended
metaphor of “swamped”, “tidal wave” and ‘trickle`’ helps to illustrate the point
the writer is making: that there are few immigrants or refugees. The
connotations of ‘tidal wave’ and ‘swamped ‘suggest a mass of water rushing
with unstoppable force onto the land and drowning it. ‘Trickle’ suggests a
small amount of water. It shows contrast.
Rhetorical Question: A question asked for effect (does not expect an answer)
Sibilance: repetition of the letter ‘s
Word choice:
“A threatening cloud lurked on the horizon”. Lurked has connotations of
something hiding out of view, waiting to make its move.
“Infuriate” has connotations of extreme outrage.
Close Reading Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
NAME:__________________
Give an example of a simile:_______________________________.
‘The wind whistled’ is ________________ & ____________________.
Write down an onomatopoeic word:________________________.
Where will you find a topic sentence in a paragraph:
_______________________________________________________.
5. What punctuation mark is used to introduce a list:_____________.
6. What is alliteration:_______________________________________.
7. ‘The boy is a pig’ is an example of a __________________________.
8. If you choose an expression it would normally be about _________
words.
9. When you use your own words you have to ____________________the
words in the passage.
10. “He said…He said…” is an example of___________________________.
11. What is a change of word order in a sentence called?_______________
12. What punctuation mark separates longer items on a list?___________.
13. What is assonance?__________________________________________.
14. What is sibilance:____________________________________________.
15. Explain the purpose of a rhetorical question:
___________________________________________________________.
16. Name the 3 figures of
speech:____________________________________________________.
17. Explain the difference between a simile and a
metaphor:__________________________________________________.
18. What do you put into parenthesis?_____________________________.
Critical Essay Feedback
NAME:__________________
Paragraph 1:
Use the words of the question/show you are tackling the question
Mention the author & title
Explain the themes
Paragraph 2:
Write a sophisticated brief overview (B.O.) in which you explain the
text’s key ideas/themes.
Try to give a broad sophisticated explanation of the message the
poet is making.
Paragraph 3 onwards: Discuss the poet’s language and the
techniques used to create a particular effect/impact.
e.g. In the third line Sassoon writes from the soldiers’ perspective
and says “speed glum heroes up the line of death”. “Glum” suggests
most of them were depressed and didn’t want to be fighting in a war
because “line of death” suggests they were going to die.
The description of them “guzzling and gulping in the best hotel”
suggests they are drinking and eating a lot rather than being
concerned about the soldiers.
The poet’s use of alliteration highlights the contrast between the
men because it shows that the majors have no self control when
eating and drinking”.
Conclusion:
Return to the task and sum up your ideas.
Some advice for Critical Essays
NAME:______________
Tick each point when you have done it in your essay.
1. Stick to the question/task throughout your essay
2. Make sure your line of thought runs throughout your essay
3. All your topic sentences should link to your line of thought
(and to the question/task)
4. Discuss the text in a logical/structured order
5. You must show a full understanding of the text
6. Paragraph 1: words of question/author/text & themes
7. Paragraph 2: Sophisticated Brief Overview (not story!)
8. From paragraph 3: You must discuss the effect of the writer’s
language
9. Follow the PEE approach: P- POINT/E – EVIDENCE/E- explain
10. Conclusion: Finish by referring to the question and sum up
your ideas.
11. More Advice:
 The poet/Sassoon/Owen/MacCaig/Morgan, etc
 Your paragraphs should be cohesive/link together (use linking
words to help – Sassoon highlights…The attitude of the poet is
shown through…In the opening stanza…In the first
line…Sassoon then describes…Overall,……)
 Mention as many poetic terms as you can
(simile/metaphor/alliteration/onomatopoeia/personification)
BUT make sure you explain its impact. Don’t just say “The
poet uses a simile…” Explain the effect created.
 Re-read when you finish to check you have tackled the
question.
 Add your own personal opinion at relevant points of your
essay.