The Three Close Reads Worksheet
Directions: Before you read, look at the “Pay Attention to” and “Questions” columns. Write your answers in the third column.
Article/Chapter Title: _______________________________________________________________
Article/Chapter Author: _____________________________________________________________
Overall question or idea to think about as you read:
Read 1: Capturing Gist
This reading is more of a skim—it should help you get the general idea of the reading.
| Pay attention to… | Questions | Your answers |
| Title and headings | What is this article/Chapter going to be about? |
|
| Images, image captions, graphs, tables | How do these add to your idea of what the article/Chapter is going to be about? |
|
Read 2: Key Ideas – Factual
In this read, you will pay attention to the information that most helps you understand the article.
| Pay attention to… | Questions | Your answers |
| Vocabulary | Are there words you don’t know or recognize? Underline or write down each of the words.
Then use the dictionary to look up 3-5 of them. |
|
| Major Claim | What is the main idea of this article? This could be a thesis statement or the primary focus of the article.
|
|
| Analysis and Evidence | What evidence does the author use that supports or extends the main idea? Provide 2-3 examples.
|
Read 3: Thinking Bigger
The third reading is really about understanding how the article relates to the unit driving question or other questions and ideas from the course.
| Pay attention to… | Questions | Your answers |
| Support
|
What from this chapter confirmed what you already knew about the unit driving question, or the question or idea you thought about as you read? |
|
| Extend
|
In what ways did this Chapter deepen your thinking about the unit driving question, or the question or idea you thought about as you read? | This article added to my understanding of … by…
|
| Challenge
|
How did this Chapter change or challenge your thinking the unit driving question, or the question or idea you thought about as you read? | At first, I thought… now, I think…, or, My thinking on… changed when…
|
