Bring a one-page close reading of a specific passage from "Bernice Bobs Her Hair." (There is no Turnitin.com slot for this -- just bring a printout.)

Your high school English teachers rewarded you for using colorful adjectives when you described your own personal reaction to the assigned reading. You got points for summarizing the plot, or for speculating about what details in the author's personal life might have inspired certain parts of the story.

I am asking for something different. I want you to look closely at the actual words that the author used, and use your critical reading skills to discuss a particular passage in detail.

Note that a "close reading" is not a summary of the plot, nor a general description of what passed through your head while you were reading it, nor a statement of why you did or didn't like it.

What should you write about? After you've read the handout on close reading, take a look at Foster chs 1-3.)