Close Reading Day                                          

Objective: to focus on a specific excerpt of the text to better understand the author’s use of language and thematic development.

You all should have a copy of the first page of your novel. As a group reread the first paragraph. Then, answer the following questions. Remember: your answers should be based entirely on this excerpt and no other knowledge of the text.

1. What can you learn from this brief excerpt about

Characters?

Setting?

2. What relationships are already being introduced? (between characters, between characters and setting, between characters and emotions)
3. How does the author use language?

Are there any repeated images, words, ideas?

Are sentences long, short, complex, simple?

What does the author’s use of language tell you about the characters, setting, even emerging themes?

4. What is the general tone of the passage? How do you know? What words make you think that?
5. What theme is emerging from the passage? What words, phrases or sentences make you think that?
6. Finally: Create a R.A.F.T that best encompasses the first paragraph of this novel and your understanding of the author’s use of language to create the story.

R: Role of Author (your role – you are the author here – who are you?)

A: Audience (to whom is this written?)

F: Form (your choice – you must be able to turn it in, so if you write a

song or do a skit I need the lyrics or script)

T: Topic (somewhat up to you – but based in your understanding of the

passage)

For example: as a group you may choose to write a letter to the author of the book asking him/her questions and commenting on your study. Or you could create a fake interview complete with interview questions and responses based on the novel and your understanding of it. Anything goes!

Please, include your answers to the questions and your R.A.F.T in your folder at the end of the day’s discussion.