What Counts as a Close Reading or a Textual Fingerprint?

1) Interpreting individual words and their definitions or connotations: Sometimes the author’s use of a specific word is particularly significant. Consider the following words: “smile,” “grimace,” “grin,” “jeer,” and “smirk.” Even though they all technically refer to a facial expression where the mouth is turned upwards, the words suggest very different meanings, and the author’s choice of one over the other can help create atmosphere or tone. Also, sometimes words can hold more than one meaning—consider the word “fair” in the passage from Romeo and Juliet, above: fair can mean “lovely or fine,” but it can also mean “impartial and even-handed.” Shakespeare, in particular, is famous for this kind of word play.

2) Explaining the significance of a symbol, metaphor, or use of imagery: Most examples of figurative language (symbols, metaphors, imagery, etc.) are excellent opportunities for close reading. For example, when Romeo says, “More light and light, more dark and dark our woes” he is using the contrast between light and dark imagery to capture the conflict of his relationship with Juliet. You can also explain the significance of a simile or symbol. For example, in Act II, Romeo wonders, “What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” A close reading of this sentence would point out the simile (Juliet = the sun), but it would ALSO explain the significance of the comparison: In the dark world of feuds and social rules, Juliet is the only bright thing for Romeo.

3) Noting a very specific example of irony: Irony is when something happens that is the opposite of what we would expect, and noting irony can also count as close reading. However, for your discussion of irony to count as a “fingerprint,” it has to be grounded in a specific sentence or small passage of the text. It is not enough to simply assert that a story or character is ironic—you have to provide the evidence. For example, when Juliet notes that “parting is such sweet sorrow,” she is commenting on one of the ironies of love: saying goodbye is sad, but she is sad because she loves him, which is sweet. Technically, this device is called an oxymoron, but it has an ironic effect.

4) Interpreting significant examples of repetition or contrast: Repetition of words, images, and/or details is certainly worth noting if this repetition serves to support your interpretation. When Juliet cries, “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?” she uses repetition in an ironic manner: her repetition of Romeo’s name ironically begins a speech in which she longs for names to be meaningless. Also, contrast between words and images can also be significant: Romeo and Juliet contains many important contrasts: love and hate, light and dark, high and low. You can close read for contrast by providing a specific example: The words “civil” and “blood” in the opening lines of Romeo and Juliet capture the contrast between civilized society and violent bloodshed that is found throughout the play. 

5) Noting significant punctuation marks or other unexpected textual details such as italics or capitalization (or lack thereof).