Just as I did before the poetry paper was due, I want to share with you a few extra links and hints that you may find helpful as you begin to think about your close reading of fiction.
Still in the early stages or having trouble drafting a thesis/focus? This site from Purdue’s OWL should help as it takes you step-by-step through the process.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_fiction.html
Want to read a sample of a close reading of fiction? Well, look no further than your very own copy of the Norton Anthology. I recommend Bethany Qualls’ essay “Character and Narration in ‘Cathedral'” (pgs. 162-64). While it’s a first draft, it can serve as a helpful model and as a tool to get you started.
While this link will not necessarily help you with your paper, those interested in elementary education might find it helpful. This link provides tools for helping younger readers close read fiction.
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/fab_fiction/home.html
Happy writing and revising! Drop by my office hours if you want to chat about the paper before the final draft is due.