CLOSE READING
STEPS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU
READ…..
1st Read
Number your paragraphs.
 Read straight through.
 Underline the main idea.
 Box at least three key details
 Left margin – Write at least 3 questions
you had while reading.
 Right margin – Write at least 3 thoughts
you had about what you read

2nd Read
Reread!
 Highlight any words you don’t know the
meaning of.
 When you are finished, write one
paragraph (5 sentences) summarizing
what you read.
 Answer the questions at the end of the
text IN COMPLETE SENTENCES.

Number your paragraphs
That’s
easy enough.
Number your
paragraphs. Go do
that now!
Read
straight
through. Today we
will read together.
Underline the main idea
What is the main
idea of this
article?
Underline it.
The Left Margin
Write
3 questions
you have about
what you have read.
The Right Margin
Write
3 thoughts
you had while
reading the text.
Reread! I am going to
give you a few minutes
to reread the article
on your own.
Highlight
any
words you don’t
know the meaning
of.
Write
one
paragraph
summarizing the
article.
Answer the Questions
Answer the questions at the bottom of
the page.
 Answers should be in COMPLETE
sentences, using evidence from the text.
 Your teacher should be able to know
what the question was by reading your
answer.
