Briefly identify some of the major issues, conflicts, ideas, and ideologies reflected in the passage.

Briefly identify some of the major issues, conflicts, ideas, and ideologies reflected in the passage.
Identify the context in which the passage appears and analyze its significance. In other words, where exactly does the passage appear in the piece (in the beginning, after an important scene, at the end, etc.) and why is its placement important? Also, who is doing the speaking in the passage (or about whom is the passage) and why is that significant?
Analyze the implications of the language in the passage. Without worrying about authorial intention, ask
yourself why the writer might have chosen those particular words or that style in that particular excerpt.
Explore the subtler connotations of the words, allusions, expressions used. What kinds of metaphors and other figures of speech does the passage employ? Is that passage similar to or different from others, if so,how? How does the style and words choice tie into larger issues in the novel, story, or essay? This is a very
key step in close-reading.
Draw some comparisons and conclusions about the passage in terms of its relevance to the rest of the
piece: how is it specifically related to other parts? What does it reveal about a character or an issue that
you see earlier or later in the piece? Offer a brief example. Why is that particular passage (as compared to
others) important?

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