ENG 112 (DE): Close Reader

To fully understand what a text is trying to convey you must take the time to do a close reading of the text. Close reading allows for the reader to interpret what they think the purpose of the author was in creating the text. It also allows for the reader to have their own interpretation of what the text is actually saying. Close reading is a whole different approach on reading. It's beyond just reading the text, but you must go beyond the purely obvious (what you see, hear, etc.) and think more about what the text makes you feel. Do you agree? Disagree? Can you understand the perspective of the author? AND SO ON....

journal 2

I think of close reading as taking apart a reading piece by piece to analyze its possible meaning(s).  It involves looking at plot, characters, background story, and other details to come up with symbols and meanings that may arise from deeper consideration.  Its purpose is to discover an idea or moral that the author intended to portray through their writing, and possibly apply it to the way we think in our own lives, or even just the way we view the story.  In doing close reading for this particular Inquiry, I’m learning how to take a stand on and clearly express my views on roles and relationships of men and women.

Close Reading Journal 2

To me a close reading is figuring out the deeper meaning behind what the author was saying.  When doing a quick read over you never dig deep into the novel to really see and understand what the author is trying to convey.  When doing a close reading you are looking so deeply at the text, that it allows one to see the deeper meanings that the author incorporated in his/her writing.  I am learning that their is a lot more to a book than just text.  Authors incorporate so many meaning throughout their books that if you do not read very closely and according to detail, these will into be seen throughout the book.

Close Reading

In my opinion, a close reading is analyzing a text. A text could be anything, like a book, poem, or even a t.v. show. A close reading is breaking down that text to find deeper meaning, not just what first appears to the eye or mind. A close reading allows readers to see what the author's purpose, tone, and message is for writing the text. It also challenges readers to look beyond the surface for patterns and other mechanisms the author uses.

Journal 2

In your opinion, what is close reading? What is its purpose? Are you learning anything about writing, or yourself, as you engage in close reading for Inquiry I?

To me a close reading is analyzing a text and coming to our own conclusions. Close reading is analyzing text in depth to look past just the words and make some great observations. The purpose is to bring more meaning to the writing. I am definitely learning more about my writing because I am looking much more closely. I am seeing the patterns and my style of writing more and more.

Journal 2

A close reading is a in depth analysis of a text, where you break the text down to segments to try to understand the reasons why things were structured the way they were and what their meaning is. Also in a close reading you scan the text for things that are significant and if there is symbolism, metaphors or repetiton being used. The purpose of a close reading is to you try to get a feel for what the meaning of the text is and at whaudience the text is appealing to and through what ways. As I engage in Inquiry 1, I find that I am reliving some of my childhood because I get to look back on shows and other texts that influenced me as a child. It's also interesting to see if texts from my past, like television shows and commmercials, have really played a huge part in the way I view gender.

Journal 2

In my opinion, close reading is when you read and understand the text in a deeper way than you usually would when just skimming over it. You examine each word or phrase and try to determine what the deeper meaning is behind the text and try to understand what the author is saying. The purpose of close reading is to find a greater meaning in the text you are examining to get a better understanding rather than if you were to simply read it. I would say that I am learning a lot about myself through inquiry I. I have been able to think about what types of texts have influenced who I am today and how. Specifically for Inquiry I, exploring texts from my childhood reminded me of my childhood and how I grew into the person I am today.