**What does it mean to "read closely?"** To "read closely" means *to foster an advanced understanding and interpretation of a literary passage that is focused primarily on the words themselves.* **What should you look for when close reading?** When close reading, you should look for: * Word choice - Why did the author use one word over another. * Structure. * Imagery - How do specific descriptions offer important insight into the passage? * Syntax - What subtle points is the author trying to make by the way they structure their sentences? * Literary devices - How does the author use metaphors, allusions, and irony? * Context - How do the passages or individual sentences work in conjunction with the surrounding text? * Tone - What emotion is the author trying to convey? * Strange or surprising statements - If something does not line up or is out of the ordinary, why? * Rhythm - What significance does the sound of lines or phrases have? **What do you do after close reading a number of passages?** After close reading, *tie together the discoveries you made from the passages to reveal similar themes and formulate a thesis.*