![]() Still, examining the evidence is a two-step process. While the provided example of Romeo and Juliet might properly illustrate a good analysis of a text, it's rudimentary at best.Ĭertainly, the examples of The Book Thief and To Kill a Mockingbird will not impress your teacher or professor. You have to be cautious using this tip as one of your close reading strategies because, if done poorly, a close reading can turn into nothing more than a summary. Your opinion matters in your reading, but the facts also matter. But what can't you deny? That Romeo and Juliet die tragically because of a familial feud. Can you also deny that it's a parody of young love as foolish? Maybe. It seems easy, but not all of the evidence will be quite so obvious.Ĭan you deny that Romeo and Juliet is an example of a beautiful and romantic love story? Probably. To Kill a Mockingbird does not advocate racism. ![]() Harry Potter does not think through consequences carefully before he acts. In any piece of good writing, there should be facts you cannot deny. Now that you have an understanding of the basic elements of the text and you've formed some opinions, it's time to examine what evidence you can uncover. First impressions are everything, and they should not be discouraged on the first read-through. So, even scratching the surface of the text is vital to uncovering it. (I'm only half-joking.) The Catcher in the Rye, as a coming-of-age novel horribly simplified, is about a young adult coming to terms with everything he hates about the adult world, all exemplified through his thoughts and feelings. Surprise! Furthermore, the entire point of Holden's character is that he is a hypocrite. At best, she's meant to be relatable, and at worst, she's intended to be a victimized heroine in a romance novel. If you find anything interesting or notable on your first read-through, then guess what? It's probably important.īella isn't supposed to be a strong female character. It is vital that you examine why you've formed these first impressions, though. The best part about literary analysis is that you don't have to love every character (Hint: it's just like real life!). ![]() Holden is constantly judging and criticizing other characters in the novel for being phony and insecure. Bella is always the victim she always needs saving, giving a bad name to empowered female protagonists like Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games. Maybe you've gotten as far as identifying why you hate this character. Let's say you hate Bella Swan of Twilight or Holden Caulfield of The Catcher in the Rye. However, they are important to note when you scratch the surface of the text because they can definitely lead to something more important. Do you hate the story? Does a certain character bother you? These judgements are generally discouraged during analyses. It also means taking note of your first impressions. That means understanding the plot, the basic themes, the names of characters, and all of the story's building blocks. It's a little obvious, maybe, but to do a close reading of a text, you first have to read it. If you'd like to scoop out some dirt and see what's underneath the topsoil, though, these close reading strategies will help you uncover both wriggling bugs and shiny treasures. Maybe you've only ever planted a peony or buried a goldfish, and you've never been treasure hunting. Your arms may get tired, or it's possible that you'll dig for hours and not even find a pebble. I'm not talking about brushing the surface of the soil with a plastic shovel I'm talking about the kind of close reading strategies that get dirt under your fingernails and have you flinging fistfuls of it over your shoulder.ĭigging isn't easy. It's a lot of work, sure, but there's nothing quite so satisfying. It's true that close reading requires a lot of digging, and digging into a well-written text can yield great treasures. To really dig into a text, you can't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
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