Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 12 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are 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 says 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 narrative techniques with emphasis on figurative language and the development of an ominous atmosphere Consider tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop List examples of male chauvinism in context Consider how heteronormativity may play a role in Van Helsing’s decision not to ask the maids to donate their blood to save Lucy’s life Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on personification, alliteration, paradox, onomatopoeia, and more 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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 11 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are 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 says 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 narrative techniques with emphasis on the relationship between language and visualization Consider tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing and situational irony Analyze the allusion to Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and draw parallels between the play and this text 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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 10 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are 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 says explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Consider tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on elaborative diacope, anaphora, sibilance, and hyperbaton 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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 9 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are 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 says explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Consider tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Contrast two characters Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony 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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 8 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are 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 says explicitly and implicitly Consider the greater significance of given details Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques with emphasis on developing suspense Determine the function of a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and dramatic irony 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

Go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet to complement chapter 7 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. An answer key and copy of the chapter, which is in the public domain, are 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 says 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 narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, assonance, consonance, sibilance, personification, and dramatic irony 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

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “The Sparrow and His Four Children” by the Brothers Grimm. The narrative has an estimated Lexile measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a fairy tale or fantasy fiction unit at the high school level, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Articulate the means by which the four children are saved Articulate the father sparrow’s primary internal conflict Conduct brief research to address a question that pertains to the plot Define complex words in context Make logical inferences from the perspective of the father sparrow Demonstrate comprehension of figurative language Analyze the authors’ craft to discern and explain how double-denotation influences meaning Analyze the authors’ craft to discern how assonance is employed Analyze the narrative’s biblical allusion and paraphrase how it applies to the story Explain the situational irony of the youngest bird’s remarks late in the story Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas Write with clarity and precision

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the Grimm’s fairy tale “The Spindle, the Shuttle, and the Needle,” a narrative addressing the values of hard work and devotion. The brevity of the short story helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the activity upholds rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the text are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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 the close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a given word Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Discern the intended effect of narrative techniques in context Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of several literary devices including alliteration, assonance, hyperbole, euphemism, oxymoron, hypophora, personification, paradox, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fairy tale fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support the development of close reading skills for high school and facilitate analysis of fiction with this rigorous worksheet on Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Leap Frog,” also called “The Leaping Match.” A variety of question types are included to help prepare for standardized testing scenarios: vocabulary-in-context questions, main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative, which has an estimated Lexile measure of 1100-1200, are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze the author’s craft to discern where and how literary devices are applied including inversion and dramatic irony Discern cause-and-effect relationships Analyze the author’s word choices to discern and explain where and how double-denotation is applied Analyze a character’s statements and beliefs to articulate how they are contradictory Interpret and explain the meaning of unique phrases in context Analyze the characters of the king and the frog to discern several qualities they have in common Discern which theme is best supported by a particular excerpt Cite textual evidence in support of claims and ideas Write with clarity and precision

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “Simeli Mountain” by the Brothers Grimm. A detailed answer key and a copy of the public domain short story are included. The narrative has an estimated Lexile measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a short story or fantasy literature unit at the high school level. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Define complex words and phrases in context Explain how situational irony is applied in the text Apply knowledge of consonance to the text Articulate the protagonist’s internal conflict in context Infer what the protagonist’s internal conflict reveals about his sense of morality Locate textual evidence in support of the claim that the protagonist practices moderation Make logical inferences about character motivations Explain how dramatic irony is applied in the text Examine cause-and-effect relationships Analyze character actions to discern what they reveal or reinforce about their characterization Apply knowledge of metaphor to the text Articulate the significance of a given detail Explain how poetic justice is carried out Articulate relevant themes Write with clarity and precision

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering “The Wonderful Musician” by the Brothers Grimm. The brevity of the narrative, coupled with the learning objectives of the activity, helps teachers fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile and foreshadowing Consider themes in context Articulate the irony associated with the narrative’s title 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 works of fiction

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help students analyze a brief, yet complex short story: “Memory” by H.P. Lovecraft. This narrative has an estimated Lexile Measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a high school short story or fantasy unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will demonstrate an ability to do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the most accurate description of setting Analyze the author’s craft with emphasis on how adjectives enhance the story Define complex words in context Analyze given excerpts to discern which literary devices are applied Justify claims using reasoned thinking Articulate the purpose of architectural remnants in the context of the story’s setting Demonstrate knowledge of simile and explain its intended effect in context Analyze the plot to infer the author’s perspectives on human existence Write with clarity, logic, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the classic fairy tale “Tom Thumb” by the Brothers Grimm. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are 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 as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given detail Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including aphorism, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, idiom, invective, situational irony, and more Explore themes in context 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

Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for practicing close reading analysis skills. This worksheet composed of rigorous questions covers “The Fox and the Horse” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1100-1200, the short story is especially suitable for middle and high school students. The briefness of the narrative also makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Isolate a factual statement from falsehoods in the context of the plot Apply knowledge of various literary devices including anthropomorphism, hyperbole, situational irony, dramatic irony, and sibilance Make logical inferences about character motivations Analyze a character’s actions and statements to discern what they reveal about their morality Make a reasonable argument about whether the horse could have benefited from giving greater consideration to the fox’s personal motivations Cite textual evidence in support of original claims Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the fairy tale “Snow White and Rose Red” by the Brothers Grimm. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are 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 as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, invective, onomatopoeia, simile, situational irony, and more Explore themes in context 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

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “The Girl Without Hands” by the Brothers Grimm, also known as “The Maiden Without Hands” and “The Armless Maiden,” is a short story about the plight of a maiden whose poor father makes a bargain that results in her disfigurement and confinement. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Isolate a factual statement from falsehoods in the context of the miller’s characterization Explain how situational irony and dramatic irony are applied Discern the significance of the maiden’s decision to draw a circle around her Explore cause-and-effect relationships (how losing her hands affects the maiden physically, psychologically, and interpersonally) Analyze the silver hands for symbolic value Define complex words in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration and foreshadowing Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas Write with clarity and precision

Support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions to complement “The Other Gods” by H.P. Lovecraft. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1200-1300, this text and its corresponding active reading exercise are appropriate additions to a mythology- or fantasy-themed high school short story unit, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. By completing this exercise, high school students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Articulate character motivations Articulate the means by which characters travel Articulate how characters have undergone change Clarify relationships between characters Articulate how characters achieve objectives Analyze how a character demonstrates hubris and the factors that contribute to the manifestation of hubris Articulate the purpose of a given paragraph Analyze how conflicting allegiances contribute to the development of internal conflict Identify and explain multiple examples of situational irony in the text Articulate how a character survives, connecting this explanation to a relevant theme Write with clarity, logic, and precision

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “The Stolen Farthings” by the Brothers Grimm. The variety of question types will also help prepare students for standardized testing scenarios; emphasis is placed on character motivations and modes of thinking. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story (estimated Lexile measure of 1000-1100) are provided. This resource is most suitable for a short story or Halloween-themed unit at the middle school and early high school levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Identify context clues that indicate a character is having a paranormal experience Analyze the psychological state of the family, providing a rational explanation for why the family does not see the ghost Define complex words in context Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text (epiphany) Explain the ghost’s unfinished business Infer the parents’ shared motivation to donate two farthings to a poor person Articulate a relevant theme Discern the best description of the story’s tone Write with clarity and precision

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Sea Hare” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about characters who defy expectations in order to achieve personal goals. With this set of high-order questions, teachers will be able to extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor, the brevity of the narrative helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Evaluate whether the relationship between the princess and the young suitor is healthy or unhealthy Explore aspects of the princess’ characterization that make her sympathetic to the audience Define complex words as they are used in the text Compare and contrast characters (the young suitor and the previous 99) Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, symbolism, foreshadowing, and dramatic irony Explore cause-and-effect relationships Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering a lesser-known Grimm’s fairy tale titled “The Donkey.” An answer key and copy of the short story are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, dramatic irony, simile, and situational irony Articulate a relevant theme Explore the motif of the guest-host relationship 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