Close reading essay

PLEASE HAVE 2 page DRAFT DONE BY 2/25. Close reading is a practice that developed in twentieth-century literary criticism aimed at

analyzing in microscopic detail how and why an author uses specific language. Close

reading is not concerned with summarizing the text (explaining what happens from one

moment to the next). Instead, it zooms in on the finer details, such as a unique image or

metaphor, to explain how those details shed light on the story.

For this assignment, you will zero in on a particular theme or idea you find significant in

one of our readings (Dream of the Rood, Beowulf, Lanval, Sir Gawain and the Green

Knight ) and analyze it vigorously.

A successful paper will identify a specific focus (the more specific, the better), explain

why it is important to our understanding of the text, and support your explanation by

interpreting evidence in the form of quotes. Each supporting paragraph should have a

topic sentence related to your theme, relevant citations, and an analysis that shows

your reader what you see in the text and how it supports your interpretation.

Requirements: four double-spaced pages with a 12-point font. Do not use AI to

generate your essay. Please do not use outside sources.