Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 6, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, allusion, hyperbole, personification, oxymoron, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How Lorenzo and Jessica perceive themselves Lorenzo’s talking about the calming music of the stars Stephano’s message Portia’s insistence that everyone keep a secret from her husband How Portia and Nerissa deceive their husbands Antonio’s relationship with Bassanio News of Antonio’s ships News from Nerissa Gratiano’s crude humor

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Juliet’s beauty and Romeo’s metaphor The rejection of one’s name Romeo’s great fear, expressed during the balcony scene Juliet’s concerns over acting to hastily Friar Laurence’s specialty Friar Laurence’s beliefs and philosophies Friar Laurence’s thoughts regarding the union of Romeo & Juliet Tybalt’s letter Offensive comments toward the Nurse The Nurse’s news for Romeo Friar Laurence’s assessment of Romeo & Juliet’s love

Help high school students explore literary craft with this activity covering H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Outsider.” With this worksheet, students will isolate and reflect upon textual details the author provided to establish a suspenseful tone that is consistent with the conventions of Dark Romanticism. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a Halloween-themed short story unit for grades 9 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this literary craft analysis activity, students will: Isolate examples of compelling sensory description Isolate characterization details that elicit emotional responses from readers Reflect upon traditional aspects of the Halloween season and identify textual details that evoke those aspects Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, foreshadowing, personification, situational irony, and symbolism Convey information through speech and writing in a coherent manner Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering chapter 1 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. With this close reading activity, students will be able to: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explain the significance of a given detail Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, overstatement, and colloquialism Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 25 and 26 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements: Holden’s second guessing of Mr. Antolini’s motivations Holden’s concern for his own safety as he crosses streets Holden’s desire to re-connect with Phoebe at the Museum of Art Holden’s desire to move out west and avoid human interaction What upsets Holden at the school Holden’s impending physical collapse The return of the red hunting hat A trip to the zoo Holden’s emotional state as he watches Phoebe on the carousel Holden’s decision to return home

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 21, 22, and 23 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Holden’s observation about sleeping children How Holden was able to gain easy access to his parents’ apartment Holden’s perusal of Phoebe’s school books and personal notes Phoebe’s middle name Phoebe’s concern that Dad will want to kill Holden for being expelled How Phoebe demonstrates her frustrations toward Holden Phoebe’s accusation that Holden hates everything Holden’s interpretation of a misheard song lyric The James Castle incident What Holden loaned James Holden’s desire to call Mr. Antolini

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapter 24 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Mr. Antolini’s luxurious apartment Mr. Antolini’s drunkenness Holden’s explanation as to why he disliked Pencey Prep That Mr. Antolini is compared to D.B. Holden’s interest in side stories or digressions Mr. Antolini’s fear that Holden is destined for “a terrible fall” The root of Holden’s dissatisfaction in life, according to Mr. Antolini The significance of an education for Holden, according to Mr. Antolini How Mr. Antolini awakens Holden Holden’s visceral reaction to the manner in which he was awakened

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 5 and 6 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: A trip to the movies Application of situational irony (irony of result) Ackley’s inclusion The intended subject matter of Stradlater’s composition assignment Holden’s decision to deviate from the assignment’s expectations Character description of Allie Holden’s response to Allie’s death Stradlater’s reaction to Holden’s writing Holden’s attempt to irritate Stradlater Stradlater’s date with Jane A physical altercation

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz addressing chapters 3 and 4 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: A prominent article of clothing A character description of Ackley Inference skills (Holden’s judgment of Ackley) A character description of Stradlater An agreement Holden strikes with Stradlater Jane Gallagher Holden’s obsession with and hatred toward phonies

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the social obstacles facing Winston from Book 2, chapter 1, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Identify what the text says both explicitly and implicitly Discern meaning from figurative expressions Use context as a clue to the meaning of words and phrases Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations Analyze and articulate how the author’s word choices contribute to Winston’s characterization Demonstrate knowledge of onomatopoeia Analyze the passage to discern its primary function Analyze and articulate Winston’s internal conflict as illustrated in the passage Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about Winston’s marriage from Book 1, chapter 6, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on paradox Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the voice behind the wall from Book 2, chapter 10, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, hyperbole, and onomatopoeia Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the Party’s violent vision for the future from Book 3, chapter 3, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about Winston’s intellectual acceptance of Party ideology from Book 3, chapter 4, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about O’Brien’s personalized torture techniques from Book 3, chapter 5, this resource saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. By engaging with this resource, students will: Analyze what the text conveys both explicitly and implicitly Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, personification, metaphor, and simile Analyze character behaviors to discern their motivations Explain the intended effect of a figurative expression Determine the significance of a given paragraph Determine the function of the passage Write with logic, clarity, and precision

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about Winston’s encounter with Julia from Book 3, chapter 6, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices and sound devices including simile, assonance, and euphemism Explain how a given detail is a symbol for the effects of authoritarianism on the populace Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 5, scene 1, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text Consider how Shakespeare’s narrative techniques achieve both humorous and tension-relieving effects Determine the tone of dialogue in context Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Evaluate whether Claudio is a sympathetic and accountable character Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile, verbal irony, and dramatic irony Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 4, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick) Explore cause-and-effect relationships Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, innuendo, dramatic irony, and more Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in the scene Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. More specifically, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, malapropism, paradox, and more Discern the intended effect of literary devices in context Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence