Close Reading Question Types and Strategies

• Find the relevant line/s in the passage and highlight them.
• Put the lines/ideas into your own words.
• Check you have given sufficient detail for the number of marks available.

Bullet point your re-worded answer. 

1 marks for each reason/ explanation. 

• give a definition for the word
• discuss how the context of the word helps you understand its meaning

The word... which means... can be worked out from the context where the word/s...

• quote word/s or phrase from the link sentence/paragraph and show how it links back to the previous ideas
• quote from the link sentence/paragraph and show how it links forward to ideas in the next section 

"..." links back to the ideas/words in the previous section...

"..." links forward to the ideas/words in the next section....

similies, metaphores, personification

• quote and name the comparison (unless the technique is used in the question)
• say what it is being compared to 
• explain what the compatison helps you to understand (or whatever focus the question asks you to take 

Just as... so too the writer is suggesting that...

punctuation, sentence types, patterns 

• identify the sentence structure that is helping to make meaning (make sure it's clear what you are talking about - quote) 
• suggests why the writer uses it - relate to the passage 
• explain what it helps you understand

The writers use of... is used to/shows...

1 mark for indentifying the structure and 1 mark for explaining what it does. 

• identify the word you want to comment on - quote 
• provide the conotations of the word 
• explain what it helps you to understand

quote word                       connotations and explanation                 

""

or 

The word ("quote word") which means/suggests (definition/ connotations) makes us think...

1 mark for identifying the word and 1 mark for explaining what it does. 

What the writer would sound like speaking. 

• identify the tone 
• follow word choice or sentence structure strategies to say how it is created 

The tone is... I know this because the writer uses... which creates... 

or 

The writers use of... creates an (insert) tone by...

1 mark for stating the technique used and 1 mark for explaining what it does. 

• chatty/informal/colloquial
• humorous/funny/witty
• emotive- anger, pity, fear
• ironic/tongue in cheek
• persuasive (rhetorical questions)
• factual

Sentence Types, Patterns, Punctuation

• long/short sentences
• lists (neutral/ with climax)
  
• sentences without verbs - creates informal/chatty tones
• repetition
• balanced sentences
• rhetorical questions - asking you to support the writer
• : ; ? ! - , 
• ... (hesitation)