Frontload assigned readings with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 10 vocabulary application activities, 10 crossword puzzles, 10 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A total of 143 challenging words are addressed: abode, allude, aloft, amble, amends, astray, audacious, barren, befoul, benefactor, benighted, bleak, bleat, blunder, bough, bracken, brute, bulbous, circuitous, clamber, clamor, cleave, commotion, contrived, crossly, dart, decrepit, defray, desolate, detest, dire, dismay, disquieting, dominion, dreary, dubious, eerie, eminent, enmity, estimable, eyrie, falter, famished, feint, fleeting, flummoxed, forbear, ford, foreboding, furtive, gale, giddy, gloaming, gloat, glower, grievous, grimly, guffaw, hasty, haughty, heady, heartily, heedless, hoarse, idle, immense, implore, inquisitive, intently, ire, jest, keen, lament, lichen, loathsome, lofty, lore, lure, memoir, morsel, mournful, multitude, murmur, mutter, nimble, obstinately, oddment, onslaught, outlandish, pallid, pamper, perpetually, plead, plight, plod, plunder, precipice, primly, promontory, prosperous, proverb, purloin, recede, reconciliation, refuge, repose, reverence, revive, ruddy, scabbard, scimitar, scoff, scowl, scurry, seldom, shirk, shrill, smoldering, smote, sneer, solemn, stealthily, surly, taut, timidly, toothsome, treacherous, trifle, trudge, tumult, uncanny, unimpeachable, vagabond, vain, valor, venerable, vexed, wane, wary, wearily, wield, wily, and withered. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of 12 close reading inference worksheets covering Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The nature and variety of question types may also facilitate preparation for standardized testing scenarios. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these close reading activities, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the functions of given passages Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast Jack’s behavior toward Ralph versus Piggy and evaluate what it indicates about Jack’s mindset Apply knowledge of various literary devices including euphemism, metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, invective, oxymoron, situational irony, and more Conduct brief research on the author and identify examples of autobiographical parallel Conduct brief research on the Greek myth of Prometheus and draw literary parallels between it and Lord of the Flies Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this set of close reading analysis worksheets covering chapters 1 through 14 of Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel Dracula. Answer keys and copies of the relevant chapters, which are in the public domain, are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing these close reading activities, students will do the following: Identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Isolate examples of internal conflict in context Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast characters Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, symbolism, metaphor, personification, and more Conduct brief research on relevant topics Come to class better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision And more

Challenge high school students to push beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. Given the objective nature of the multiple choice questions, each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to quickly and efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are twelve close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By the end of the play, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine the tone of given passages Discern the functions of given passages Examine the greater significance of a given detail Consider how the effect of humor is achieved in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, hyperbole, sibilance, onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, simile, situational irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony, and more Conduct brief research on the Roman goddess Diana and articulate the similarities between her and Katharina Conduct brief research on the four humours and articulate the findings Evaluate behavior to determine which character is most committed to their role in the charade Isolate details that represent the best textual evidence in support of claims Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support the development of high school close reading skills and analytical thinking with this bundle of To Kill a Mockingbird resources covering the second half of the novel (chapters 16-31). Featuring more than 125 high-order thinking questions, this bundle offers Word Doc and PDF versions of each individual resource. 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. Make reading more purposeful with these close reading activities to support students in their efforts to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: An ability to define complex vocabulary in context An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity and precision

Support the development of high school close reading skills and analytical thinking with this bundle of To Kill a Mockingbird resources covering the first 15 chapters of the novel. Featuring more than 125 high-order thinking questions, this bundle offers Word Doc and PDF versions of each individual resource. 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. Make reading more purposeful with these close reading activities to support students in their efforts to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: An ability to define complex vocabulary in context An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity and precision

Frontload assigned readings with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 12 vocabulary application activities, 12 crossword puzzles, 12 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A total of 132 challenging words are addressed: abruptly, antagonism, aromatic, assent, barmy, befoul, bleakly, bough, brandish, bravado, brooding, cascade, ceaseless, clamber, clamor, coarse, complementary, contemptuously, continual, continuous, conviction, corpulent, crepitation, crestfallen, curtly, cynically, dart, daunting, declivity, decorous, derisive, diffidently, dreary, dun, earnestly, ebullience, eccentric, effect, effigy, elephantine, embroiled, emphatic, enmity, ensconce, exult, farthest, feeble, ferocity, fervor, festoon, flare, fleeting, flinch, flitter, flourish, furtive, gaudy, gesticulate, glower, goad, governable, grim, illusive, impervious, incredulous, indignation, ineffectual, inexpertly, inimical, inscrutable, intently, interrogative, iridescent, jeeringly, lamentation, lavatory, leaden, leviathan, liberation, luminous, meekly, minutely, multitudinous, murmur, mutinously, mutter, nimble, obscurity, oppressive, pallidly, pallor, pitilessly, primly, proffer, propitiatingly, quench, rebuke, relentlessly, saunter, scowl, scurry, sensibly, serenade, shrill, shudder, sneer, sodden, solemn, splutter, steadfast, strident, stupendous, subdued, tacit, theological, torrid, tottery, tremulous, ululation, unendurable, ungainly, ungraspable, unhandily, vague, vexed, vicissitude, vivid, wary, waxy, weary, wield, and woebegone. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Frontload assigned readings with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 13 vocabulary application activities, 13 crossword puzzles, 13 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A total of 203 challenging words are addressed: aberrations, abominable, accost, acquiescence, acquittal, acrimonious, adjourn, affluent, aloof, altercation, ambidextrous, amiable, apoplectic, apothecary, appalling, appeal, apprehension, arbitrate, ascertaining, assuage, auspicious, austere, begrudge, benign, bestow, bewilderment, bide, blandly, bleakly, brevity, burdensome, caliber, candid, clad, cleave, commotion, competent, concede, condescension, connive, contemptuous, contentious, convey, corroborative, cowardice, credibility, crude, curt, dainty, denunciation, desolate, diligently, diminutive, discreet, dismay, dreary, duress, eccentricity, editorial, eerily, elucidate, elude, elusive, escapade, evident, evoke, expunge, farthest, fatalistic, feeble, feral, florid, foolhardy, formidable, fretfully, frivolous, furtive, futility, garish, genially, grudge, guilelessness, habiliments, haughty, hearty, hone, idle, illicit, impassive, impertinence, imprudent, incantation, inconspicuous, indict, indigenous, indignant, industrious, infallible, inordinately, inquire, inquisitive, instinctively, iota, irascible, jim-dandy, keenly, libel, malevolent, mausoleum, meditations, meditative, meekly, melancholy, mercifully, meteorological, mollify, morbid, mournfully, murmur, mutter, myopic, nebulous, nondescript, notoriety, obliquely, oblivious, obscure, oppressive, ordeals, palliation, passe, peeved, pensive, perforated, perpetual, perpetuate, persecution, pestilence, pilgrimage, placid, predilection, prerogative, procure, propensity, providence, prowess, purloin, quaint, qualm, ramshackle, rankle, rectitude, reluctantly, reprimand, resolve, reverent, ruefully, scowl, scurry, serene, shrill, sibilant, skulk, sneer, solitary, spurious, stealthily, sternness, stolidly, strenuous, subdued, subtlety, succinct, sulk, tacit, taciturn, tactful, tedious, temerity, timid, tirade, touchous, tranquil, trousseau, trudge, turmoil, tyranny, umbrage, uncouth, undulate, unobtrusive, untrammeled, vague, vapid, varmint, vehemently, venerable, vivid, volition, wary, weary, woes, and wrathfully. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Challenge high school students to push beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Othello by William Shakespeare. Given the objective nature of the multiple choice questions, each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to quickly and efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are fifteen close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Analyze the author’s craft, discerning how Shakespeare’s language influences the audience’s perception of Iago Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, epiphany, foreshadowing, personification, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more Explore themes in the play Discern the tone of given passages Determine the functions of given scenes Articulate the significance of given details Articulate how dialogue contributes to the development of suspense Articulate how the setting contributes to a sense of uncertainty Consider how the imagery of a willow tree is relevant to the content of Desdemona’s song Explore cause-and-effect relationships Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Gothic fiction, fantasy, and horror are genres that appeal to many high school readers, and H.P. Lovecraft checks all the boxes. Promote active literary engagement with this bundle of reading comprehension quizzes and close reading analysis activities covering a variety of Lovecraft’s short stories: “The Outsider,” “The Beast in the Cave,” “The Tomb,” “The Cats of Ulthar,” “The Hound,” and “The Moon Bog.” Answer keys and copies of public domain narratives are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

Promote active engagement with Gothic fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching a collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories: “The Oval Portrait,” “The Black Cat,” “Hop-Frog,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” Answer keys for every resource are provided, as are all public domain short stories. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

This bundle of 20 close reading exercises promotes active reading strategies, makes student engagement with text more visible, and helps improve overall student comprehension of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. By completing these activities, students will read to identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, analyze character motivations, define vocabulary in context, discern tone, and more. All close reads are editable and include answer keys and/or sample annotations. The following are covered: Act 1 prologue Act 1, scene 1 Act 1, scene 2 Act 1, scene 3 Act 1, scene 5 Act 2 prologue Act 2, scene 1 Act 2, scene 2 Act 2, scene 3 Act 2, scene 4 Act 2, scene 5 Act 2, scene 6 Act 3, scene 1 Act 3, scene 2 Act 3, scene 3 Act 3, scene 4 Act 4, scene 1 Act 4, scene 3 Act 4, scene 5 Act 5, scene 1 Act 5, scene 3

This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of several classic Grimms’ fairy tales, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual item: a Word Document version and a PDF version. These resources 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. Make reading more purposeful with these close reading activities to support students in their efforts to demonstrate the following: An ability to define complex vocabulary in context An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity and precision

This low-prep bundle covering Feed by M.T. Anderson contains all the formative and summative assessments teachers need to assess general reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, facilitate student research on a range of relevant topics, and greatly reduce take-home lesson planning responsibilities. Included are four multiple choice quizzes; four short answer alternate quiz options; four close reading worksheets covering fifteen substantive novel passages; literature circle activities; research project materials; an end-of-unit test; and answer keys for everything. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will have opportunities to perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Clarify details where the author leaves information open to interpretation Isolate examples of figurative language Express the greater significance of given details Determine the tone of given excerpts Discern the functions of given excerpts Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Articulate flaws in characters’ logic Analyze the author’s use of narrative techniques such as repetition Apply knowledge of various literary devices including simile, metaphor, personification, slang, onomatopoeia, situational irony, consonance, pun, idiom, epiphany, invective, malapropism, aposiopesis, neologism, and more Consider theme in relation to the text Evaluate an excerpt to articulate how it is a good example of satire Relate a given excerpt to the real world, identifying two relevant societal issues, conflicts, or questions Explore the connection between capitalism and the private healthcare system in America Conduct brief research on the topic of cognitive dissonance in order to explain how a character experiences it in the context of a given excerpt Cite textual evidence in support of ideas and claims Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned novel Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner

The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin is a modern retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey, written in a manner that is easier to process—even for struggling readers. This comprehensive bundle includes the following: multiple choice, plot-based quizzes; close reading analysis activities; a summative test; and answer keys. With these resources, English teachers will be able to evaluate students’ general text comprehension, promote analysis of complex literature, hold learners accountable for completing assigned readings, eliminate at-home assessment planning, and expedite the grading process without sacrificing academic rigor. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following by the end of the novel: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words as they are used in a given passage Select the best synonyms for given words as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern tone in context Explore how characters think, behave, and interact Compare and contrast characters Examine how setting influences character development Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, personification, simile, epiphany, understatement, symbolism, situational irony, and dramatic irony Apply knowledge of various sound devices including sibilance and assonance Locate relevant textual details in support of the claim that Ulysses was the only crew member with the ability to think critically in the face of danger Explore themes that are reinforced in a given passage Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual worksheet: a Word Document version and a PDF version. Featuring more than 125 high-order questions, this bundle gives students clearer purposes for reading such as the following: To analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader To determine tone in context To define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context To draw reasoned inferences about characterization To apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel To isolate accurate statements from false statements To write about literature such that the reader will follow the student’s reasoning To support claims with relevant textual evidence And more

Foster general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school and college with this set of analysis worksheets on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision, and preparing for standardized testing scenarios. Answer keys are provided. All materials are delivered as Word Documents and PDFs. By engaging with these resources, students will: Identify and articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s figurative language in the context of a passage Explore cause-and-effect relationships Use context clues to draw reasonable inferences about Orsino Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, sibilance, alliteration, assonance, consonance, personification, hyperbole, oxymoron, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more Define complex vocabulary in the context of a passage Determine the primary function of given passages Compare and contrast Orsino and Olivia Conduct brief research on classical mythology – more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin – and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian Analyze the author’s craft to discern which literary device is most applicable to a specific portion of text Explore Toby’s attitude toward Olivia’s behavior Identify the greater significance of a given detail Identify evidence in support of claims Isolate factual details about plot from false statements Compare and contrast Viola and Sebastian Write ideas with clarity and precision Compare and contrast Toby and Andrew Compare and contrast Malvolio and a group consisting of Toby, Andrew, and Maria Analyze how complex characters behave and interact Consider the meaning of a given word in order to determine its most suitable synonym

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this complete bundle of worksheets composed of inference questions covering every individual scene in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. These resources will encourage students to analyze how complex characters develop, explore character motivations, interpret figurative expressions, apply knowledge of literary devices, develop greater confidence in decoding Shakespearean language, and much more. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in a zip file containing printable Word Document and PDF versions. Use these resources for independent or small group engagement with the text; they may lead to thoughtful discussions that contribute meaningfully to a culture of active learning in high school English classrooms. With these instructional materials, students will demonstrate the following: An ability to define complex vocabulary in context An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more An ability to identify the function of a particular passage An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity and precision

This bundle of 20 assessments promotes analytical thinking, measures and extends reading comprehension, and offers flexibility of choice to differentiate and satisfy the academic needs of students of varying proficiency levels in classroom and distance learning settings. Included are close reading activities, answer keys, and copies of public domain texts. Short story selections include the following: “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin * “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell * “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe * “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving * “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield * “The New Dress” by Virginia Woolf * “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane * “The Open Window” by Saki * “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe * “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett * “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry * “The Businessman” by Edgar Allan Poe * “The Legend of the Christmas Rose” by Selma Lagerlof * “The Old Tombstone” by Hans Christian Andersen * “The Wind Blows” by Katherine Mansfield * “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen * “The Stolen Farthings” by the Brothers Grimm * “Slave on the Block” by Langston Hughes “The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne * “The Sparrow and His Four Children” by the Brothers Grimm * (* denotes a public domain text) By completing these analysis exercises, students will demonstrate the following high-order skills: An ability to apply knowledge of more complex literary devices to the texts including foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, hyperbole, personification, metaphor, symbolism, theme, and more An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations and other elements of plot An ability to discern and articulate details that illustrate contrasts between characters An ability to define complex words by taking into consideration denotative definitions, connotative definitions, and context clues An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of claims An ability to discern mood and tone in context An ability to discern author’s intent An ability to conduct brief research and articulate historical and autobiographical parallels An ability to analyze text structures An ability to analyze text to determine the function of an excerpt An ability to analyze a text for how it conforms to the conventions of a particular genre An ability to establish formal tone, paying attention to conventions of written English An ability to take leadership in class discussions, addressing nuances in the author’s craft to help peers understand literature from different perspectives

Challenge high school students to go beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are seventeen close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words as they are used in the text Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Delve into the methods by which Shakespeare achieved narrative effects such as tension and comic relief Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast several characters Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition midway through the play Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, malapropism, personification, paradox, invective, oxymoron, symbolism, dramatic irony, situational irony, verbal irony, and more Determine the tone of given passages Discern the functions of given passages Compare elements of one scene with those of another Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision