Text Complexity and Close Reading

Carol Bush Network Team Specialist Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Lets Read!
Read through the three passages from The Scarlet Letter On a sheet of paper, write down the significance of the rosebush/roses.

Taking a closer look

At the end of chapter 1, Hawthorne says we could hardly do otherwise than to pluck one of its flowers and present it to the reader. What is the flower that has been plucked and presented to the reader? Use textual evidence to support your conclusion. OR What textual evidence is there to suggest that the flower plucked and presented to the reader is Pearl?

Taking a closer look

What evidence from the text suggests that Pearl believes she is a delicate gem? OR Which character represents the delicate gem?

Taking a closer look

In the last paragraph of chapter 8, Hester describes how Pearl is her happiness and her torture. Which line(s) in the first chapter foreshadows that Pearl will have a positive effect on Hester? A negative effect?

Taking a closer look

Using the same paragraph from chapter 8, what is the parallel between this paragraph and the idea that the rosebush sprung up under the footsteps of the sainted Ann Hutchinson in chapter 1?

Taking a closer look

Pearl was born as a result of the evil and sinful deeds of Hester Prynne and Rev. Dimmesdale. What evidence can you in both chapter 1 and chapter 7 that suggest the rosebush/roses also come from something ugly and dirty? OR What connection can you make between Pearls birth and the growth of the rosebush/roses? Use textual evidence to support the connection.

Taking a closer look

Hawthorne continuously uses the word wild to characterize the rosebush. What does this imply about Pearls personality? Use textual evidence to support your conclusion. OR Hawthorne continuously uses the word wild to characterize the rosebush. What is the significance of this? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

Taking a closer look

Think about the aspects of a rose bright, beautiful, stem, leaves, thorns, etc. Can you connect this to Pearl?

So what exactly is close reading of text?

Close reading is a careful and purposeful rereading of a text.
It allows students to experience the text on their own. Questions invite students back into the text several times to discover some of the key ideas and details, the authors purpose, the story structure, etc.

Characteristics of Close Reading

Complex text Short passages Limited frontloading Repeated readings Text-dependent questions

Complex Text
Quantitative measures
lexiles

Qualitative measures
rubric

Reader and task considerations

Ability, interest, motivation Amount/type of questions/tasks

Short Passages
3 paragraphs to 2 pages (even shorter for elementary) Stand-alone readings Excerpts from longer readings Literary Texts Informational Texts

Limited Frontloading
Always set a purpose for reading Identify obscure words (if required) Clarify text features that are critical to overall comprehension (if required)

Repeated Readings
Set purpose with students and allow them to conduct an initial cold read. Ask questions that invite students back into the text to discover what the author is saying. Each repeated reading continues to build background knowledge.

Text-Dependent Questions
80% of questions should be text-dependent Questions about details Questions about bigger ideas in the text Questions require students to explain where they found the answer in the text

Characteristics of Close Reading

Complex text Short passages Limited frontloading Repeated readings Text-dependent questions