Reading Closely (aka “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, 1940/1972

Creating a Close Reading Experience Use a short passage “Read with a pencil” Note what’s confusing Pay attention to patterns Allow yourself to struggle a bit

Our goal is to slow down a bit to really appreciate the complexity of the text.

Annotation is a note of any form made while reading text. “Reading with a pencil.”

People have been annotating texts since there have been texts to annotate.

Annotation is not highlighting.

Annotation slows down the reader in order to deepen understanding.

CHIEF JOSEPH'S SURRENDER SPEECH AT BEARS PAW BATTLE, OCTOBER 5, 1877

FIRST READ AND WRITE INDEPENDENTLY Keeping the concept of courage in mind, read with a pencil to annotate the text: Circle Key Words Underline Main Ideas Box examples of repetition, imagery, emotional appeals, and other stylistic choices. Quick-write (LATER): (7 min.) On the back, how does Chief Joseph’s speech explore the idea of courage?

Discussion: Partner Talk to Check Meaning How does Chief Joseph explore the idea of courage? What stylistic choices (e.g., repetition, imagery, appeals to logic, appeals to emotion, etc.) does he use to express his message? Speaking frames: According to Chief Joseph… Chief Joseph suggests that courage is …. by… Chief Joseph expresses his message by …

2 ND READ: M ODELING & E XTENDING A NNOTATIONS Read the text or pivotal passage(s) aloud, without interruption er_detailpage&v=9OWAfXGdvxA

G ENERAL U NDERSTANDINGS Overall view Sequence of information/events Main claim and evidence Gist of passage

What does the text say? General Understanding

K EY D ETAILS Search for nuances in meaning Determine importance of ideas Find supporting details that support main ideas Answers who, what, when, where, why, how much, or how many.

What does the text say? Key Details A.What concerns does Chief Joseph have about the health and welfare of his people? B.How do you know?

How does the text work? Vocabulary

What is the tone of this speech? What words and phrases support your claim?

How does the text work? Structure How does the text structure convey Chief Joseph’s mood?

How does the text work? Structure What is it about the use of the word forever in the last line, “I will fight no more forever” that makes this statement so memorable?

I NFERENCES Probe each argument in persuasive text, each idea in informational text, each key detail in literary text, and observe how these build to a whole.

What does the text mean? Inferences A.Who is Chief Joseph referring to when he says, “I want to have time to look for my children”? B.What other parts of the speech support your claim?

What does the text mean? Intertextual connections

“My son, my body is returning to my mother earth, and my spirit is going very soon to see the Great Spirit Chief. When I am gone, think of your country. You are the chief of these people. They look to you to guide them. Always remember that your father never sold his country. You must stop your ears whenever you are asked to sign a treaty selling your home. A few years more and white men will be all around you. They have their eyes on this land. My son, never forget my dying words. This country holds your father's body. Never sell the bones of your father and your mother.” Joseph commented "I clasped my father's hand and promised to do as he asked. A man who would not defend his father's grave is worse than a wild beast."

What does the text mean? Intertextual connections A. How does this second passage help you to understand the speech? B. What inner conflict would Chief Joseph have experienced? A. Where do you see evidence of this conflict in the speech?

Final Thoughts: on the importance of Chief Joseph’s speech Quick-write: (7 min.) On the back, how does Chief Joseph’s speech explore the idea of courage?