Home > Subjects > English > English level 2 > 2.6 Unfamiliar texts > Subject content > Approaching a text
- Subject: English
- AS: 90380
- Level: 2
- Credits: 3
- External
2.6 Read unfamiliar texts and analyse the ideas and language features
Approaching a text
Close reading
Close reading tests your comprehension and understanding of how language is used to communicate a message to a specific audience. You have to be aware of the purposes of reading for each text. To gain maximum meaning from a text you must learn to use inference or 'read between the lines' See this link for an example of inference.
Remember you are being tested on the information given in the text in front of you rather than your general knowledge.
Steps to help with the reading process
- Read title and where it comes from to understand the context.
- Highlight areas of interest or confusion as you read the text. After your first reading you should be able to answer general questions such as:
- Where and when is the text set?
- Who is involved? Who is telling the story? Who was this text written for?
- What is the text about?
- What are some unique aspects of style?
For a chart to summarise these questions see "what_for (RTF 58KB)" in: What is the purpose of this text?
- Read the questions.
- Read text again keeping the examination questions in your mind and read carefully over the key parts of the text.
- Answer the questions by going back to specific areas of the text. Skim read to locate the answer.
- Proofread all your answers.
