A Close Reading of Zebra
Just what is close reading?
“Every book
has a
skeleton
hidden
between its
covers. Your
job as an
analytic
reader is to
find it.”
-Adler and
Van Doren
To be a good close reader,
you must..
Understand
your
purpose in
reading.
To be a good close reader,
you must..
Understand
the
author’s
purpose
in writing
To be a good close reader,
you must..
ideas in a
See
text as being
connected
To be a good close reader,
you must..
Search for
meaning
To be a good close reader,
you must..
Engage a text
while reading.
To be a good close reader,
you must..
Ask
questions
as you read.
To be a good close reader,
you must..
Search for
answers to
those questions as
you read.
Ask higher order questions
Use LESS of
Use MORE of
-What?
-When?
-Where?
-Who?
-Which?
-Why?
-How?
-Suppose?
-Justify
-Example
When reading, think of
how the TEXT relates
TO yourSELF
TEXT TO SELF
Reading comes
alive when we make
recognize how the
ideas in the text
connect to our
experiences and
beliefs
Reading
comes
alive
when we
make recognize
how the ideas in
the text
connect to
events
happening in
the world
TEXT TO WORLD
Reading
comes
alive
when we
make recognize
how the ideas in
the text connect to
books,
poems,
movies, etc.
other
TEXT TO TEXT
OUR close reading of Zebra
-We will focus on…
characterization
The techniques an
author uses to
describe and
develop a
character
The reader learns about a character
through:
-their thoughts, words, speech patterns,
actions
-the narrator’s description
-the thoughts, words, and actions of
other characters.
Speech
Thoughts
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
Characterization
Speech
“You know, you are a
very gloomy life
form.”
“Andrea, get off my
case.”
What do you learn
about Zebra and
Andrea based on
their dialogue?
Characterization
Thoughts
“Why was the man asking all those
questions? Zebra thought maybe he
shouldn’t be talking to him at all. He
seemed vaguely menacing in that
army jacket, the dark-blue cap with
the words LAND ROVER on it in orange
letters, and the empty sleeve. Yet
there was kindness in his gray eyes
and ruddy features
What can
you infer
about
Zebra and
John Wilson
based on
Zebra’s
thoughts
Characterization
Effect on others
“When he had finished,
there was a silence.
Everyone in the class was
looking at him.”
What do the actions
of Zebra’s classmates
show about Zebra’s
personality?
Characterization
How does Zebra
standing alone during
recess reflect his
character and
personality?
Characterizatin
Looks
“He was tall and wiry, and
looked to be about forty
years old. In his right
hand he carried a bulging
brown plastic bag. He
wore a khaki army jacket,
a blue demin shirt, blue
jeans, and brown cowboy
boots. His gaunt face and
muscular neck were
reddened by the sun.”
How does the
author’s description
of how John Wilson
looks inform the
reader about who the
character is?