Close Reading of Nonfiction

Names:___________________________________________  Class: ________ Date: _____________

Close Reading of Nonfiction

• Stage 1: OBSERVE - understand the gist; what is the text mainly about?
• Preview the text features to get an overview of the topic: read title, subtitles, section titles, captions, visuals, timelines, maps. What predictions can you make about the text?
• Read slowly, with focus and intention. Stop after each paragraph and ask yourself, “What is the main idea of this part?” As you continue reading, ask yourself, “What else is this about? What are the most important ideas the author wants me to understand?” Keep in mind that texts consist of several related main ideas. Write the main ideas in the margin or on post-its.
• What explicit (obvious or clearly explained) details support the author’s main ideas?

• Stage 2: INFER/ANALYZE/EVALUATE -
• Reread the text to unpack the different parts; focus on 1 or more of the following:
• text evidence: what examples, details, information, facts, opinions, sources, etc. does the author use? Why?
• structure: how does the writer organize the text? Are there sections? What do you notice about the beginning, middle, and end?
• word choice: what words are repeated? are there loaded words, words that carry emotions and bias?
• author’s point of view and argument: what is the author’s implicit ideas, ideas that are implied and suggested but not obvious? How does the writer convince and persuade the readers?
• Annotate the text to track your comprehension:
• write main idea of each section and text feature
• circle key words and terms
• put ?’s next to parts you don’t understand
• as you read, review your notes and revise your thinking. Ask yourself, “What are the most important ideas the author wants the readers to know and think?

• Stage 3: SYNTHESIZE (put all the pieces together to get a whole understanding of the text)/INTERPRET:
• Make conclusions. What is the theme/central idea? Why did the author write this? What is the overall message or purpose?
• How do the details fit together and connect to one another? What new ideas have you developed?
• What does the text make you think, feel, and know about the topic?

• Stage 4: EXTEND/SHARE:
• How does the text connect to you, other texts, and the world overall?
• Organize your thinking and continue to explore your understanding of the text through writing or through collaborative work. This could be done through informal writing such as freewrites or synthesis pages or through formal writing such as essays.

Title: _____________________________________________  Author: ____________________________

Source: __________________________________________  Date published: ______________________

In-class Task: Create a group synthesis page to visually communicate your close reading of the text. A synthesis page is a map, chart, or other visual representation of your thinking on a text. It should show the topic, evidence, thinking, and graphics. Assign tasks fairly to make sure each person contributes equally. Include:

• What is the main idea of each paragraph or section?
• What is the overall central idea? What evidence best supports this (at least 3)? Choose evidence from the beginning, middle, and end.
• After completing the synthesis page, on this page or loose leaf, write a 1-paragraph summary of the text. Include text, author, main ideas, and central idea.

Reflection:

1. What has this activity made you think and understand about reading nonfiction?

2. How can you apply this lesson to other subject areas?