What is “close textual analysis” or “a close reading” of a piece of
literature?
When considering how to undertake a close reading of a passage in literary text, consider
the categories below and make notes on each.
1. The Text: what you know about this text: when was it published/written; by whom was it
written and what do you know about them; for whom was it written?
2. The overarching them: what is the subject of the piece; what important plot; important
issues arise from it. What is the relationship between this piece and the rest of the text, if
you have read it.
3. Genre:
a. what type of writing is this. Is it prose, poetry, novel, a play; what sub-genre is
this ie., if it is a play, what kind of play? Remember, the play’s genre, or form,
dictates that audience’s expectations
b. How have ideas been arranged within the paragraph/s
4. Narrative perspective: in what person is the text written or delivered ie., 1st, 2nd, 3rd?
a. Eg 1st: I went to the store
b. 2nd: You went to the store
c. 3rd person: He/she went to the store.
5. Word Choice or lexis of language: what type of language is being used here; are there
recurring types of words. Nothing written and published is accidental; all language used
by writers is planned. Look up all words you do not know: often these words will
unlock meaning
6. Analyze sentence structure, paragraph structure, and progression: how does the
piece begin, how does it end, how does its meaning evolve?
7. Ask lots of Questions:
a. Is the passage a turning point in the text?
b. Is the passage a moment of crisis, a climax or does it resolve the action?
c. Does it evoke empathy or emotion?
d. Does the passage explain something important?
e. Is it comedic or tragic and what devices are used to convey these?