A Close Reading of Zebra

Just what is close reading?

“Every book has a skeleton hidden between its covers. Your job as an analytic reader is to find it.” -Adler and Van Doren

To be a good close reader, you must.. Understand your purpose in reading.

To be a good close reader, you must.. Understand the author’s purpose in writing

To be a good close reader, you must.. See ideas in a text as being connected

To be a good close reader, you must.. Search for meaning

Engage a text while reading. To be a good close reader, you must..

Ask questions as you read. To be a good close reader, you must..

Search for answers to those questions as you read. To be a good close reader, you must..

Ask higher order questions Use LESS of -What? -When? -Where? -Who? -Which? Use MORE of -Why? -How? -Suppose? -Justify -Example

When reading, think of how the TEXT relates TO yourSELF TEXT TO SELF Reading comes alive when we make recognize how the ideas in the text connect to our experiences and beliefs

Reading comes alive when we make recognize how the ideas in the text connect to events happening in the world TEXT TO WORLD

Reading comes alive when we make recognize how the ideas in the text connect to other books, poems, movies, etc. TEXT TO TEXT

OUR close reading of Zebra -We will focus on…

characterization The techniques an author uses to describe and develop a character The reader learns about a character through: -their thoughts, words, speech patterns, actions -the narrator’s description -the thoughts, words, and actions of other characters. S peech T houghts E ffect on others A ctions L ooks

Characterization S peech “You know, you are a very gloomy life form.” “Andrea, get off my case.” What do you learn about Zebra and Andrea based on their dialogue?

Characterization T houghts “Why was the man asking all those questions? Zebra thought maybe he shouldn’t be talking to him at all. He seemed vaguely menacing in that army jacket, the dark-blue cap with the words LAND ROVER on it in orange letters, and the empty sleeve. Yet there was kindness in his gray eyes and ruddy features What can you infer about Zebra and John Wilson based on Zebra’s thoughts

Characterization E ffect on others “When he had finished, there was a silence. Everyone in the class was looking at him.” What do the actions of Zebra’s classmates show about Zebra’s personality?

Characterization How does Zebra standing alone during recess reflect his character and personality?

Characterizatin L ooks “He was tall and wiry, and looked to be about forty years old. In his right hand he carried a bulging brown plastic bag. He wore a khaki army jacket, a blue demin shirt, blue jeans, and brown cowboy boots. His gaunt face and muscular neck were reddened by the sun.” How does the author’s description of how John Wilson looks inform the reader about who the character is?