Also called a rhetorical analysis, a close reading zooms into small constituent parts of a text, and then uses them to
make larger arguments based upon analytical observation, by examining the role of each part in the larger whole. In
this context, rhetoric means “arrangement,” and includes the choices the author made in arranging and presenting his
or her ideas. For written texts, this kind of attention to detail might include vocabulary, word choice, metaphor,
grammar, punctuation, etc., as well as the author’s tone, emotional appeal, organization, use of formal strategies, or
method of appealing to his or her audience. You’ll want to spend time considering what specific words and devices
mean, but then go beyond to consider how they work and how they interact with other devices.
You will choose a short portion of a text to analyze. Ideally, this will be about 1-2
paragraphs from a text we have read by that deadline. However, you may consider “reading ahead,” or using shorter or
longer passages. Be aware that the more tightly focused your passage, the more convincing your argument will usually
be. You will gather detailed observations on your text, and then develop an argument on this passage’s larger place
within the text based on these observations. You will write a 2-3pg analysis of each text, considering how the text is
making a specific argument, and submit it to the appropriate link on Canvas.
The goal here is to create an objective analysis of the text’s rhetorical methods, not react to its content. Avoid evaluative language, focusing on how the text works, rather than what it says or how you feel about it. When performing textual analyses, it’s best to start small, like an image or a paragraph. Don’t bite off more than
you can chew! Once you have your object of analysis, list everything you notice about it. Try not to go in with a preconceived
notion of your final argument; instead, let your argument be shaped by the observations you make. A good close
reading rests on detailed pre-writing! Collect as many observations as you can, and then, using quotations or direct evidence, begin considering why
those details are relevant, and how you can organize them for best effect.
begin with an introduction that provides basic information about the object you will analyze and the context
from which it emerged. include a clear, concise, and arguable thesis statement that makes a claim about the text, and about how the
text communicates its message. use specific details from the text as evidence to support your thesis, in the form of summary and quotation. end with a conclusion that offers an overall evaluation of the writer’s rhetorical strategies, the relevance of your
thesis, and your essay’s connection to a larger conversation. be written in engaging academic prose with solid grammar and accurate MLA citations as needed. be about 2-3pg long, with 12pt Times New Roman or similar font and 1” margins.
