DDIST: DDIST: The Tools for Close The Tools for Close

ReadingReading

DDIST: DDIST: The Tools for Close The Tools for Close

ReadingReading

By: Mark AframBy: Mark Afram

First, What’s a Close Reading?

• According to Harvard’s Writing Center, a close reading is when a reader notes the “facts and details of the text, [including]…patterns [and]…repetitions.”

A different kind of close reading…

Now, What’s DDIST?• DDIST is an acronym

popular amongst literature instructors

• It stands for: •Diction•Detail• Imagery•Syntax•Tone

Exhibit A: Brilliant Teacher

Diction• Diction: the choice

and use of words in speech or writing.

• Diction affects the tone “attitude” of a passage.– ex. “playa” vs.

“gentleman”

Tupac is recognized for his precise use of diction.

Diction, Con’d • Always consider

language that is unique, specific, or “jumps out.”

• Also, consider if the language is: – monosyllabic vs.

polysyllabic– colloquial (slang) vs.

formal– concrete (specific) vs.

abstract (general, conceptual)

Diction: words that “jump out”

Details• Details: facts

included or omitted

• Key details greatly enhance the textual meaning or the overall tone of a passage.

The details make this picture!

Imagery• Imagery: vivid

mental pictures that appeal to the senses

• Not only does imagery affect the tone (“attitude”) of the passage, but it also affects the reader’s mood.

How does this image appeal to your senses?

Imagery, Con’d• Here are a few

techniques that create vivid pictures: – Alliteration: repetition of

an initial consonant sound• Ex. The giggling girl gave

gum.– Onomatopoeia: writing

sounds as words• Ex. The clock went tick

tock.– Hyperbole: a deliberate

exaggeration• Ex. I’d die for a piece of

candy!

Imagery, Con’d• Other techniques:

– Simile: a comparison using “like” or “as”

• Ex. His legs are like tree stumps.

– Metaphor: a comparison

• Ex. The man’s jacket is a rainbow

– Personification: attributing human qualities to inhuman objects

• Ex. The alarm clock shrieked.

Syntax• Syntax: the way a

sentence is structured

• These sentences affect the tone: – Declarative: an

assertive statement• Ex. He is guilty.

– Imperative: makes a command

• Ex. Leave this house!

Declarative

Imperative

Syntax, Con’d • Sentence structure

also includes: – Interrogative: asks a

question, generally reflects uncertainty

• Ex. Are you my friend?

– Repetition: words or ideas used more than once

• Ex. The little boy put his tiny hand in the glove.

Tone• Tone: words that

express the attitude of the passage or entire text; this also reflects how the writer interacts with the reader. Note: Analysis of tone is very subjective.

• Always write tone in this way: _______ tone.

What’s Hulk Hogan’s tone/attitude in this photograph?

Tone, Con’d • Describe the tone of the

following passage:

My homeboy’s doing life Begging mama be stressing Shedding tears When her son finally ask that questions: Where my daddy at? Mama, Why we live so poor?

Why you crying?

-Tupac Shakur, “White Man’z World”

Tupac Shakur

Works Cited "D-I-D-L-S." D-I-D-L-S. 7 July 2008

<http://yhspatriot.yorktown.arlington.k12.va.us/~rsadaus/DIDLS.doc>.

"Diction." Def. 1. Dictionary.com. 7 July 2008

<http://dictionary.reference.com/>.

"DIDLS Breakdown." KHS English Department Homepage. 7 July 2008

<http://www.kisd.org/khs/english/help%20page/DIDLS%20Breakdown.htm>.

Kain, Patricia. "How to Do a Close Reading." Harvard.edu. Writing Center at Harvard

University, 1998. Web. 3 Sept. 2012.

<http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CloseReading.html>.