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January 31, 2006
Close Reading Expectations
Roberts on Close Reading. -- Jerz: American Lit II (EL 267)
"Always assume that everything you find there is connected to everything else in the work, and then analyze and explain that connection."
This seems to sum up what we have been discussing in prompting for our first close reading essay. Once we focus on one aspect, whether it be character, an action, or an arguuement, we can connect that to the rest of the work and its significance - at least that is what we can try to do. Start with the basics - that is my approach. It is a bit overwhelming if you try and master it instantly and part of me was trying to do that for my first essay. I just stopped and put focus on one issue and expanded from there.
Posted by Shanelle Evkovich at January 31, 2006 11:10 PM
Comments
Good for you, Shanelle! While it may seem daunting at first to try to write a whole essay about a single speech in a play or a single short poem, the skills that you develop when you look closely and intensely at a small section of writing will really help you later on in the semester (and in life afterwards) whey you try to assemble the big picture out of the small, accessible details that you've noticed.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at January 31, 2006 11:26 PM
I'm having a few minor problems with the close reading assignment, myself, mostly because I am used to trying to come up with as many possible interpretations as possible, all at once. Nothing serious, but it's hard for me to decide on just one thematic idea and concentrate on it. I have this constant urge to pull other meanings into my analysis and try to connect them together somehow. Definitely not a problem I expected, but I'm working through it.
Posted by: ChrisU at February 1, 2006 05:29 PM
Great work!! Sounds to me like you got a great hand on what you are doing. I attempted my paper who knows if it is correct but will give it a shot. This is the first time i have ever had to wirte like this. I guess the more we do it the better i will get and it will become easier.
Posted by: Melissa Lupari at February 1, 2006 07:42 PM