AP® Lang: A Lesson in Close Reading

This resource is designed to provide a guided lesson on close reading, specifically imagery, figurative language, word choice, tone, and tonal shift and how these elements can enhance our understanding of a work.

Using the anchor text, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, students will work to understand the relationship between concrete and abstract, text complexity, tonal shift, and how to evaluate writer’s choices within a narrative text. If you are teaching thematically, this short text would pair well with themes like identity, maturation/growth/coming of age, and nature.

Interested in buying any of the books mentioned in this post? Visit our classroom libraries page. 

Enjoy!

Lauren Peterson (Master of Arts, Education) has been teaching AP^® English Language and Composition in a number of states for more than ten years, most recently at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, where she is also the schoolwide literacy leader. Before this position, Lauren served as a curriculum and instructional coach in Duval County, Florida. Lauren worked for College Board on a pilot curriculum designed to both remediate common AP^® English Language challenges and also prepare students for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification. As an independent consultant for the National Math and Science Initiative, Lauren has written diverse curricula used by students across the country as well as training materials for beginning and experienced AP^® English Language teachers. Lauren served as an AP^® English Language Reader and continues to work as an AP^® English Language trainer for new and experienced teachers.