Sample Class Blog - Katharine Brush's "The Birthday Party" Lesson

September 21, 2018
Mrs. Fusaro-Pizzo, Blogger #A1
Sophomores, Period 7

Aim: How can we develop our close-reading skills through an analysis of Katharine Brush's "The Birthday Party"?

1. What is Close-Reading?
1. Close-reading consists of a line-by-line analysis of a passage. To be successful in close-reading means the reader must actively transact with the text - underline, circle, write notes in the margins (annotate). The reader must determine the purpose of word choice (diction), infer characterization and theme from clues, what the narrator feels about the subject (tone), the atmosphere (mood), as well interpret the meaning through studying the grammar and style (syntax).
2. Example:

We proceeded to read and annotate the rest of the story in small chunks, discussing each individual slide. We focused on diction, syntax, tone and how they all affect the characterization of the husband and wife. We concluded with also discussing the narrator and how he/she shifted his/her point-of-view to bring the reader into the observed conflict.

You can find the whole story here: 

http://www.sccollege.edu/Faculty/JIsbell/EnglishN60/Documents/BirthdayPartyK.Brush.doc

Link to Complete Lesson

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yrrt2r965oz3nsk/Fusaro-Pizzo%2C%20Kristen%20-%20Close%20Reading.pdf?dl=0

First Paragraph Analysis Example (by Ms. Fusaro)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uxpjjn7fsu9j8vd/brush%20sample%202.pdf?dl=0

Analysis (Student Samples)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uu8ory371ry9evs/birthday%20party%20lit%20examples001.pdf?dl=0