As mentioned in the coverage of "A Rose for Emily", close reading is an important facet of literary study that engages the student in identifying details. In a very long work, a short passage can reveal things that relate to the work as a whole. Additionally, a close reading allows the student to "zoom in" and pay closer attention to literary devices the writer has employed.
- Choose a passage from Book III of The Prelude that is no more than 20 lines in length.
- At the beginning of your paper, include a copy of your selected passage, recording the exact line numbers in a bracket after the passage.
- Identify and briefly discuss as many structural features of the passage as you can. Discuss how these structural features in the passage contribute to your understanding/appreciation of the passage and the work in its entirety.
(Not sure what to look for once you've "zoomed in"? This is a great site to consult to help you know what to look for.)
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/reading_lit.html (link opens in a new browser window)