First impressions: As a reader doing a close read, you need to be taking notes as you read, noting what the very first thing you notice it. Then the second, and maybe what the third is. Then ask yourself why you noticed, and if the things you noticed are relate? After this, ask yourself what feelings the passage evokes in you? and why?
Vocabulary and Diction: Look at the words after reading it, and write down what words you notice first, and why they pop out, are the just words you haven't seen before, or do they remind you of something? Once again, see if these words relate to each other, or evoke a feeling. Do these words have two meaning? Can you see a difference in the meaning of these words? If you see any unfamiliar words, make sure to look them up. Don't jus guess, they could mean something completely different and you could be reading the passage all wrong because of this one word.
Discerning Patterns: Do any images remind you of some other image in the book or story? If so, why? and what is the connection, if there is one. How could this image reflect what the book as a while means? What is the syntax *sentence rhythm* like? is it short and choppy, usually means the person talking or thinking is mad, or busy. If it's a long run on sentence, the author could be trying to make you think the speaker is speaking fast. Look at punctuation, try to read the passage in your head by pausing if theres a comma, and pause even longer if theres a period. Is there any repetition? What does this repetition do? What types of writing are in the passage? Narration? dialogue? Arguments?
Point of View and Characterization: Does the passage make the reader react in a certain way? Is there a lot of detail or imagery? Like colors, sounds, or physical descriptions that appeal to you? Who is speaking in the passage, and why is this person speaker, are they the main character or someone else from the outside?
Symbolism: Are there any metaphors or similes? How can an object really mean something else. Is there a rando object that the author mentioned for no reason? Most likely the object represents something else.
I really like the use of questions to remind yourself of the various aspects of close reading that we have addressed in class. Furthermore, it is great how you reflect on the use of the DIDLS literary devices here and add them to your explanation. I feel that you have compressed a lot of information here. By simply stating that this is what we did, a reader is unable to determine the significance of what we learned. You may want to expand on how exactly topics such as points of view, symbolism, and many such others were seen in your readings. Give ample examples of novels we read to reinforce your writing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good explanation of what those things are-- but how has it helped you personally? What experience do you have concerning using the questions that you enumerate on? The techniques you discuss are very helpful, though, so good job explaining them.
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