Close, Analytical Reading
What is Close, Analytical reading? “…the systematic practice of analyzing a text to gain deep comprehension. It involves identifying central ideas and key details, investigating vocabulary and structure, and synthesizing these components to understand the text.” Frey, Nancy and Douglas Fisher. “Points of Entry.” Educational Leadership November 2013: 34-38. Print.
Why do we need to do it? To become objective consumers of information To understand the content better Practice makes perfect! Do this often enough and it will become habit Necessary skill for college or career-level, content-specific reading So important when reading difficult content
The Process First Read: Investigate and Formulate Second Read: Analyze Take organized notes from the text, paying close attention to vocabulary, connecting ideas and evidence. Identify what the author is trying to say and take a closer look at any graphics. Second Read: Analyze Answer text-dependent questions and summarize the document.
Close Read Handout - Step 1: Citation of article: Madison, James. "The Federalist, No. 10 (1788)." American Government, ABC-CLIO, 2018, americangovernment.abc- clio.com/search/display/1662573.
Why Annotate? Learn the content: Respond to a specific prompt: Use a set of annotation tools that work for you to help you gain a better understanding. Respond to a specific prompt: Annotate toward that prompt. If you’re being asked to evaluate, make evaluative annotations. If you’re being asked to analyze, make analytical annotations. Research: Annotate towards supporting your thesis. Find specific pieces of evidence that support that thesis.
Annotation Key Highlight vocabulary. Define teacher selected and any unfamiliar vocabulary. Underline key ideas. Put a + or a – next to each paragraph to indicate your understanding. Record any questions (?) or reactions (!) you have at this point. Draw an arrow connecting any ideas. Number (1, 2, 3) any sequence of events or multiple pieces of evidence to support an idea.
Fed 10, pg. 1