Close Reading Close Reading is the study of non fiction texts Is it assessed through NABs and in the final exams through

answering a range of questions on an unseen passage. There are 3 types of Close Reading questions:

Understanding-what is the writer saying Analysis-How is the writer getting their message across to the

reader. Evaluation- How effectively is the writer expressing their ideas.

You will be told which type of question you are being asked to answer (U, A or E)

You will be told how many marks each question is worth e.g (2) You must make sure your answer is linked to the question type

and marks available.

Understanding Questions There are 4 types of understanding

questions Own words questions Context questions Quotation questions Summary questions

Own Words Questions To answer these questions you need to select key

ideas from the text and ‘translate them’ or express them in your OWN WORDS

E.g. The quiet boy I had taught last term glared at me and clenched his fists. His face reddened with fury as he listened to his punishment.

Question:In your own words explain how the boy reacted to his teacher. (2)

Answer: The boy stared angrily at his teacher his face became flushed because he was so annoyed.

Own words question The great white shark is a skilled hunter. It can sniff

out tiny particles of blood and other fluids in the midst of the ocean. It has row upon row of razor-like teeth and a bite so powerful it can cut through metal. Perhaps more terrifying it attacks its victims with great speed after watching them from beneath the waves allowing little time to escape.

Using your own words explain why the great white is such an effective hunter. (3)

How do we answer? Consider the number of marks available Identify relevant pieces of the text Using bullet points express these ideas briefly but clearly in your OWN

WORDS

The great white shark is a skilled hunter. It can sniff out tiny particles of blood and other fluids in the midst of the ocean. It has row upon row of razor-like teeth and a bite so powerful it can cut through metal. Perhaps more terrifying it attacks its victims with great speed after watching them from beneath the waves allowing little time to escape.

Answer It has a very sensitive sense of smell to detect prey It has lots of very sharp teeth It moves very quickly and takes victims by surprise.

Context Questions For context questions you need to show you understand the meaning of a key word

and explain how the words and phrases around it (the context) make this meaning clear.

Example: Even the most hardened detectives considered this a heinous crime.Every police force was involved in following every lead and checking the file of every violent criminal on record. Never in the history of Scotland had a murder trial attracted so much hysterical publicity. Headlines declared Black ‘a heartless beast’.

Explain what the word ‘heinous’ means and how the context of this word makes this clear. (3)

Answer: Heinous means extremely wicked or terrible.

- the crime appalled experienced detectives showing how shocking it was

- it was important enough to involve ‘every police force’

- the case appeared in many papers and the killer was compared to an animal suggesting his actions were particularly horrible

Context questions News of the enemy’s surrender swept across Europe

like a fever. Finally after years of bitter struggle the armistice was declared. Although the violence did not end at once, for many there was an ending to the suffering of the Great War.For thousands of soldiers, who had only ever dreamed that a truce might be possible, this signalled that a return to loved ones and some kind of normal life might actually become a reality.

Explain what the word, ‘armistice’ means and how the context of this word helps you understand this. (3)

How do we answer? Identify any words or phrases you think are linked to the key word. Clearly state the meaning of the key word Explain in what way words and phrases from the context relate to the meaning of

the key word- use bullet points to structure your answer.

News of the enemy’s surrender swept across Europe like a fever. Finally after years of bitter struggle the armistice was declared. Although the violence did not end at once, for many there was an ending to the suffering of the Great War.For thousands of soldiers, who had only ever dreamed that a truce might be possible, this signalled that a return to loved ones and some kind of normal life might actually become a reality.

Explain what the word, ‘armistice’ means and how the context of this word helps you understand this. (3)

Armistice means a ceasefire or the end of a conflict. ‘Surrender’ and ‘truce’ both refer to the end of fighting or violence The writer also refers to the suffering of soldiers ending and that it would be

possible for them to leave the forces and return to civilian life.