Close Reading
What does it mean to “summarize” during close reading?
To make a brief explanation of a story that includes only the main details
How many times do you have to read the story in close reading?
What is the prize of the lottery?
Death by stoning
What is theme?
The life lesson/message/true statement about life that the author wants the reader to know
What is Mr. Rubino's favorite animal?
Cat
What does it mean to “analyze” during close reading?
To look at the details and make inferences about what the story means on a deeper level
In which step of close reading do you annotate the text?
Reading to summarize
When do the townspeople do the lottery?
Every summer, June 27th
True or False: A theme should be a one-word answer.
What is Mr. Rubino's favorite candy?
What is the final step of close reading that involves connecting the text to your life or the world?
Synthesize
What is an example of something new you can make while synthesizing?
Any of the following: essay, story, poem, song, art, movie, etc.
Which character wants to uphold tradition the most?
Old Man Warner
What specific example from the story shows the dangers of blindly following tradition?
The townspeople kill each other as part of their tradition without questioning it
Where did Mr. Rubino go to college?
Holy Family University
List all three steps of close reading in order.
1. Summarize
2. Analyze
3. Synthesize
What are the 3 things you should relate the story to while synthesizing?
Your own experiences, the real world, and other texts
Why do the townspeople do the lottery? (BESIDES tradition)
To bring good luck/good harvest; "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon"
What is the difference between a big idea and a theme?
A big idea is a topic that comes up a lot when discussing the story. A theme is the lesson we should learn about the big idea.
Who is Mr. Rubino's favorite author?
Kurt Vonnegut
Why is close reading useful when reading a story or poem?
Because it helps you understand the story on a deeper level
What is an example of a literary device
Multiple possible answers; Mr. Rubino will judge
Why does Jackson wait to reveal the truth about the lottery until the end of the story?
Suspense
Make a full, complete theme statement for "The Lottery"
Multiple possible answers: must have proper structure and text evidence
What is Mr. Rubino's favorite book?
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger