Overview
In 2-3 double-spaced pages, you will closely analyze a passage from one of the short stories
assigned in September. You will be responsible for choosing the story and passage. Your close
reading will demonstrate your awareness of literary form, genre, and context; however, your goal
is to observe and describe in detail how the text is written at the sentence level, with close
attention to style, narration, themes, and devices. Your analysis will involve identifying the
features of the text and explaining why they are important (that is, you will interpret the
significance or effect of the details that you observe). The Close Reading Assignment is due
before the end of the day on Friday, Sept. 27th
.
Purpose
“Close reading” is an important aspect of literary analysis, regardless of how the results of the
close reading are used. This assignment is intended to show you that even very small details in a
piece of writing contribute to the meaning that you find in the work (your interpretation). Close
readings can be carried out at various stages in the essay writing process: when you first
encounter a text and prepare for lectures and tutorials; as you develop your argument for an essay
assignment; and in order to support and strengthen your argument (thesis).
Instructions
First, select the story and passage you would like to analyze. (See the list of Eligible Texts at the
end of this assignment sheet.) Your passage should be approximately 1-3 paragraphs in length.
Make sure that the passage is long enough to provide you with enough material to write about,
and yet not so long that your reading will be superficial. Consult with your Teaching Assistant if
you need help in selecting a passage.
This is not a formal essay in which you must advance a thesis (an overarching argument);
however, your paper should have a clear structure. Begin with an introductory paragraph in
which you identify the title and author of the work and describe (concisely) the literary historical
context and the genre, if applicable. In your introduction, give a short (1-3 sentence) summary of
the passage. Explain the role that the passage plays in the story (in other words, use it to discuss
the work as a whole).
In your body paragraphs, describe the tone and style of the passage, the manner of narration, the
themes, and any devices that may be present. In describing the writing style, you will consider
diction, syntax, imagery, literary devices, allusions, pacing, and repetition. Use pertinent terms
and define them as needed. Be sure to explain the significance of the details that you describe.
In your final paragraph, summarize your analysis and describe what you have learned about the
text from reading it closely. (How do the details that you have noted illuminate the story for you
or deepen your understanding of it? What conclusions can be drawn about the relationship
between how the text is written and its meanings or effects?)
Additional Directions
1) Please include a copy of the passage at the back of your assignment. You may scan, cut
and paste, or type it out.
2) Please do not consult or cite secondary sources. The emphasis is on your own reading of
the text.
3) Please format the paper according to MLA guidelines. References for quotations should
be given parenthetically.
4) The Close Reading should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
5) Use one-inch margins, a standard font size, and double spacing. Number your pages.
6) Make sure that you have an effective title that introduces your Close Reading in an
informative and creative way.
7) Succinctly define all terms that are key to your argument.
8) Your tone should be relatively formal. Please avoid personal reflections, anecdotes, and
colloquialisms.
Method of Evaluation
The Close Reading Assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria: how
carefully you have followed the instructions above, your demonstrated understanding of the
course text and pertinent literary concepts, the quality of your engagement with the text and the
degree of closeness (detail) with which you examine it, demonstrated effort to use MLA
documentation and formatting, clarity of expression, and evidence of careful proofreading.
The assignment is worth 10% of your final mark in the course.
Eligible Texts
Edgar Allan Poe, “The Cask of Amontillado” (173-179)
William Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily” (658-664)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper” (571-582)
Ray Bradbury, “The Veldt” (328-339)
Octavia Butler, “Bloodchild” (340-354)
Margaret Atwood, “Lusus Naturae” (260-265)
Tim O’Brien, “The Things They Carried” (609-622)
Assignment Submission
Please save your Close Reading Assignment as a single Word or PDF file and use the “Close
Reading Assignment” Turnitin link on Moodle to upload it before midnight on Friday, Sept. 27