"The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

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 “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury, a short story dealing with humanity’s fear of attack from the skies. The brevity of the narrative helps fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the objectives of the activity maintain academic rigor. An answer key is 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
• Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
• Infer 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 foreshadowing, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, simile, situational irony, and more
• Consider themes in context
• Conduct research as needed to answer questions about historical 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