Crime fiction appeals to many high school readers and maximizes engagement with literature. “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl is a darkly comedic short story belonging to a subgenre called revenge fantasy, as it details a husband’s murder at the hands of his wife (and the frozen leg of a lamb). This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the narrative’s inciting incident Analyze the setting and its immediate effect on the audience Determine the tone of a given passage Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, foreshadowing, ambiguity, and more Discern the most relevant theme from among several options Argue whether Mary is portrayed as an intelligent individual Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

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 Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Argue whether Friar Laurence’s decision to assist Juliet is consistent or inconsistent with his moral and religious duty Reflect on a previous scene to articulate how an aspect of Friar Laurence’s plan was foreshadowed Support claims or 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

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 7 of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding 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. With this close reading activity, students will be able to: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and/or phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials Explain the significance of a given detail Describe the tone of a given remark Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism and allusion Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

“The Challenge” by Gary Soto is a coming-of-age short story highlighting the importance of authenticity and unconditional acceptance of others for who they are. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, metaphor, slang, situational irony, and more Determine the tone of a given passage Navigate nuances in words with similar meanings Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual details Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 7 through 9 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The intent of the letter Victor’s father writes Victor’s sighting of the creature scaling the mountains The framing of Justine The Frankenstein family’s opinion of Justine Circumstantial evidence that jeopardizes Justine The interaction between Justine and a priest Victor’s reason for remaining silent Victor’s terrible guilt after the verdict is reached The effect of the trial on Elizabeth’s world outlook The effect of Nature on Victor

Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how H.P. Lovecraft used descriptive language, characterization, setting, connotation, and various literary devices in “The Outsider” to establish an eerie mood consistent with the Gothic genre. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.

Looking for a high school horror story resource for the Halloween season? Looking for a text to pair with “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe or a similar narrative? Use this plot-based quiz to evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities. The quiz may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate student engagement with the short story. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: What the protagonists do with the artifacts they collect The conditions under which the protagonists prefer to do their work Setting Surprising discoveries inside a coffin A physical description of the amulet The effect the amulet seems to have on the protagonists The manner of St. John’s death Details of an assault against the narrator The narrator’s epiphany An ironic turn of events The disturbing visual of the corpse inside the coffin The fate of the narrator

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 3, this resource may serve as the basis for 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Analyze how complex characters interact Explore character motivations Demonstrate knowledge of multiple literary devices including dramatic irony, verbal irony, situational irony, and metaphor Make logical inferences in context Discern the tone of a given excerpt Support claims with relevant textual evidence and valid reasoning Write with clarity and precision

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 4, scene 1, 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 literary devices with emphasis on situational irony and symbolism 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

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 1, scene 3, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource may serve as the basis for 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. More specifically, questions pertain to the following: Analyzing text for tone. Analyzing the text for meaning: discerning Othello’s self-described weakness. Analyzing text for meaning: how long Othello has fought in wars. Analyzing text for meaning: Othello’s willingness to disclose the truth of his courting of Desdemona. Analyzing text for meaning: how Brabantio describes his daughter. Analyzing text for meaning: the type of person Brabantio thinks would believe Othello’s claims. Analyzing text for meaning: the devil’s role in the union, according to Brabantio.

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 4, scene 1, this resource may serve as the basis for 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Make logical inferences in context Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters interact Analyze the author’s craft to articulate the effect of an idiomatic expression Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision

This 33-slide PowerPoint presentation introduces your students to the key characters in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I created this PowerPoint as a means of previewing the novel with my high school students, offering them context on character traits, relationships, conflicts, and development over the course of the novel. The following are covered: Bilbo Baggins. ♦ Modest nature ♦ Appreciation for the simple things ♦ His reluctance and obligation to help ♦ His role along the journey ♦ His brushes with adversity ♦ His sense of justice ♦ His dynamic character ♦ And more Gandalf. ♦ His noteworthy character traits ♦ The mentor archetype ♦ And more Thorin Oakenshield. ♦ His leadership ♦ His bravery and his pretentiousness ♦ His family background ♦ His classification as a foil to Bilbo ♦ His fatal flaws Dwalin. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Balin. ♦ General character details (e.g., his acceptance of Bilbo) Gloin. ♦ General character details (e.g., his skepticism of Bilbo) Oin. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Dori. ♦ General character details (e.g., his strength) Nori. ♦ General character details (e.g., his appearance) Ori. ♦ General character details (e.g., his musical talent) Kili & Fili. ♦ General character details (e.g., their youth) Bombur. ♦ General character details (e.g., his laziness) Bifur. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Bofur. ♦ General character details (e.g., family ties) Gollum. ♦ His home ♦ His miserable disposition ♦ His interests and talents ♦ His significant loss Smaug. ♦ His greediness ♦ His vengefulness ♦ His appearance ♦ His symbolism ♦ The cultural perspective on dragons Elrond. ♦ The Last Homely House ♦ His special, helpful traits ♦ His graciousness ♦ Foreshadowing Beorn. ♦ His personality traits ♦ His special skills ♦ His discomfort toward visitors ♦ His pursuit of justice ♦ His help given to the adventurers ♦ And more Bard of Esgaroth. ♦ His tremendous talent ♦ His honorable nature ♦ His leadership ♦ His response to tragedy ♦ His sense of fairness and justice The Elvenking. ♦ His suspicion of strangers ♦ His weakness ♦ His crucial role late in the novel

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and facilitate analysis of Shakespeare’s craft with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 1, of The Tempest. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. 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. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe the tone of a particular excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Antonio and Sebastian) Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony 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

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 2, scene 1, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 completing this exercise, students will: Discern tone in context Explore character motivations Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Analyze the author’s craft, discerning how Shakespeare’s language influences the audience’s perception of Iago Locate textual evidence in support of claims Apply knowledge of figurative language to the text

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s King Lear. Delivered in 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. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words/phrases as they are used in context Verify interpretations of language using reference materials Explore nuances in words with similar meanings Describe tone in context Consider the greater significance of given details Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration and situational irony Conduct brief research on mythological and historical subjects Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and facilitate analysis of Shakespeare’s craft with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 2, of The Tempest. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. 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. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine several functions of a particular excerpt Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe the tone of a particular excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony 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

Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 1, this resource may serve as the basis for 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly Make logical inferences in context Explore character motivations Analyze how complex characters interact Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context Discern the tone of a given excerpt Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision

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 the character of Syme from Book 1, chapter 5, this resource saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing academic rigor in the classroom. 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 the Party’s behaviors to discern and articulate the Party’s motivations Make logical inferences about the Party’s reasoning for restricting access to razor blades Define complex words and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative meanings and connotative associations Analyze a brief portion of the passage to discern which literary device the author incorporates Identify textual evidence in support of the claim that Syme and Winston have grown desensitized to the brutalities of the Party Identify textual evidence in support of the claim that Syme is described like an animal Analyze why the author may have chosen to describe Syme in an animal-like manner Analyze a brief portion of the passage, which features scare quotes, to discern the author’s intent Write with clarity and precision

Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 1 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. 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. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and verisimilitude Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Identify the greater significance of a given detail Discern the main function of a given passage Write about literature with clarity and precision Conduct brief research on the beliefs of German philosopher Karl Marx Articulate whether Major’s speech reflects a belief in Marxist ideology Articulate how the author incorporates humor into his writing Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims

Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Twelfth Night 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. With this close reading activity, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Explore cause-and-effect relationships Discern tone in context Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s choices related to characterization Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and situational irony