(THIS ESSAY IS A CLOSE READING ESSAY, PLEASE BE AWARE OF THAT)
What is a close reading essay? A close reading analysis or explication is the careful unfolding of meanings in a literary work or part of a literary work.
How is the story delivered, through dialog, narrative, a combination of both way? Who is the narrator? Who is the story’s intended audience? Do you feel empathy for any of the characters? Are they believable?
Describe the literal and figurative language the writer uses. Do you notice anything meaningful that isn’t obvious to the casual reader– whether it’s a major theme suggested by a symbol or a small hint contained in one word? Does the author use irony; if so, how?
What other conclusions can you draw about the above passage and how it fits with the overall story.