As discussed in class, a close reading is a thoughtful, critical analysis of a text that focuses on significant details, aspects of literary style, or rhetorical patterns in order to develop a precise understanding of the text, and demonstrates an in-depth, significant understanding of the text. For this assignment, write a literature essay in which you perform a close reading of either “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” (312-326) OR “The Lady with the Dog” (62-76). You may choose the length of your essay, but it is recommended that you plan for a minimum of 3 pages. A 3 page paper assumes an exceedingly excellent economy of words to write a passing paper. 5-7 pages will more likely be the average. (Please do not write more than 8 pages.) Although you MUST have a Works Cited page, numbered as your last page, the page counts I’ve noted do not include the Works Cited page. Therefore, when I say “a minimum of 3 pages” your final document would actually have 4 sequentially numbered pages. Your paper should be created and submitted using Microsoft Word and posted here to Blackboard. Your document, the context of your text, and your Works Cited page should all be formatted in MLA 7th edition style. Your paragraphs should included quotes and paraphrases from the text, but not from any outside sources. Your ideas should be your own and not those found on the Internet. You should be writing ONLY in 3rd person. Use of the 1st and 2nd person voice is strictly prohibited. Your paper will be evaluated on the following: its dependence upon a clear, relevant, arguable thesis statement; its organizational structure, including the use of transitions when moving from one paragraph to the next; its demonstration of clarity, careful reading, and attention to detail; its presentation of standard grammar and sentence skills; its adherence to MLA style. I have attached some helpful links that provide further insight into crafting a successful close reading. https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-do-close-reading http://blogs.umass.edu/honors291g-cdg/how-to-write-a-close-reading-essay/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj6bc5pgMoU
