Close Reading Benefits for Literature (Fiction) plus a Freebie!

Are there really any close reading benefits? I have heard close reading called “abusing the text” and that it kills the joy of reading, which is probably true in many classrooms.

Close reading is like salt. A little is a very good thing – a lot, not such a good idea.

I think this is especially true with literature because most kids (and adults, too) gravitate toward fiction when reading for pleasure.

Fortunately, close reading and reading for pleasure are not mutually exclusive. In fact, when done well, close reading can help to foster a deeper and more meaningful love for reading.

Read on to learn about the close reading benefits, and get a freebie with a MIBU guest pass, too!

Close Reading Benefits

Close reading offers numerous benefits that can greatly enhance students’ reading experiences and comprehension skills. Here are some key advantages:

• Enhanced Comprehension:
  • Encourages students to delve deeply into the text
  • Helps students understand the material on a much deeper level
  • Uncovers layers of meaning that might be missed during a cursory read
• Critical Thinking Development:
  • Requires students to analyze and interpret the text
  • Fosters critical thinking skills
  • Teaches students to ask probing questions, make connections, and draw conclusions based on evidence from the text
• Improved Vocabulary:
  • Helps students encounter and understand new vocabulary words in context
  • Improves vocabulary skills
  • Aids in deciphering unfamiliar words in future readings
• Attention to Detail:
  • Teaches students to pay attention to details
  • Develops an appreciation for the nuances of language
  • Valuable skill in all areas of study and life
• Increased Engagement:
  • Makes the reading experience more engaging
  • Uncovers deeper meanings and connections within the text
  • Increases interest and investment in the material
• Better Writing Skills:
  • Examines how authors use language to convey meaning
  • Improves students’ own writing skills
  • Teaches different literary techniques and styles for application in writing projects

By understanding and leveraging these close reading benefits, you can help your students develop a deeper appreciation for literature and enhance their overall reading and analytical skills.

Two Basic Approaches for Close Reading Literature

In my opinion, there are two basic approaches for close reading literature.

The first is the “traditional” three-read format similar to what you may have used with informational text. With this format, you focus on different aspects of the text with each read, closely following the RL Common Core Standards. This poster (which is free with the download) is a nice summary. This approach is best for short selections – either stand-alone short stories or passages pulled from a longer story.

Close reading for literature is like salt: you must use it sparingly to be effective. In this post, I detail several ways to enhance close reading so your students truly dig deeper into the text without getting overwhelmed and bored. Check out my Close Reading for Literature Toolkit, as well!

Close Reading in Longer Texts

The second approach is for longer texts.

What if you are reading a longer story or chapter book? Clearly, you will not be close reading the entire thing; honestly, I can’t think of a better way to make kids hate reading. Instead, read the text as you normally would, and stop at certain places to dig a little deeper.

Here are some tips for close reading in this way:

Make Notes While Reading

Ideally, every student will have a copy of the book or story; however, in most cases, students will not be allowed to write directly on the text. Here are some ideas for helping students to track their thoughts and questions when they cannot directly annotate:

• Sticky Notes: Allow students to use small sticky notes to jot down their ideas, thoughts, and questions. They can use the notes as markers so they can come back to the place in the book later for further examination.
• Bookmarks: Have students use bookmarks that they can write on to jot down ideas as they read. You may want to use guided bookmarks like the ones pictured.
• Notebook Paper: Older students could write their reflections on notebook paper in a list or chart format, noting the page numbers where they paused to reflect.

Discuss the Text

Discussion is an important part of close reading, as students often glean insight from each other. It can also help to foster enthusiasm for the text, build critical thinking skills, and build confidence as students see their ideas reinforced by their peers.

• Class Discussion: Depending on your students’ level of independence, you could discuss sections of the text as a class, in small groups, or even in partners.
• Student-Selected Sections: Sections of the text that merit discussion can be chosen by the teacher; however, a more authentic discussion may occur if students are encouraged to select places in the text they would like to discuss.
• Discussion Prompts: Students can use the notes they took while reading as prompts for discussion or to jog their memories when discussing specific aspects of the story. Using discussion prompt cards can really help. I find that it is especially helpful if they are worded in the first person, like the ones in the picture.

Response Writing

By writing their responses to text-dependent questions, students gain independence in their ability to understand the text. It also gives students an opportunity to explore their own ideas in relation to the text without distraction.

• Using Notes: Students can use the notes they took while reading to jog their memories while writing about the text.
• Graphic Organizers: The graphic organizers can be used to help students focus on a specific aspect of the text.
• Pre-Writing Activities: For more advanced students, consider using a graphic organizer as a pre-writing activity. The students can then use the completed graphic organizer to write a response to a text-dependent question in paragraph form.
• Writing Prompts: Writing prompt labels/cut-outs (like the ones below) can be used with interactive notebooks or on notebook paper, either with a graphic organizer or independently.
• Sharing Reflections: You may want to provide avenues for students to share their written reflections.

By understanding and utilizing the close reading benefits, you can help your students develop a deeper appreciation for literature while still enjoying the pleasure of reading.