In close reading, which directive should be given for initiating meaning-focused understanding?

In close reading, which directive should be given for initiating meaning-focused understanding?

• A. Notice the features of the text and predict the genre
• B. Read the passage to determine the general meaning
• C. Skim for an interesting detail
• D. Scan for unfamiliar words or phrases

Answer: (B)

Understanding the general meaning first is the foundation for meaning-focused close reading. Starting with the overall message, main idea, and purpose helps you ground interpretation and see how details fit into what the author is conveying. Once you’ve grasped the meaning, you can more effectively examine how word choices, structure, and evidence reinforce that meaning. Those other approaches pull you toward surface aspects: looking at features to guess genre can bias or distract from the text’s actual purpose; skimming for an interesting detail or scanning for unfamiliar words focuses on trivia or vocabulary rather than how the text communicates its message.

Understanding the general meaning first is the foundation for meaning-focused close reading. Starting with the overall message, main idea, and purpose helps you ground interpretation and see how details fit into what the author is conveying. Once you’ve grasped the meaning, you can more effectively examine how word choices, structure, and evidence reinforce that meaning.

Those other approaches pull you toward surface aspects: looking at features to guess genre can bias or distract from the text’s actual purpose; skimming for an interesting detail or scanning for unfamiliar words focuses on trivia or vocabulary rather than how the text communicates its message.