Writing UK English Literature Essays: Close Reading That Earns Marks
Close reading isn't quoting - it's analysing form, language, and effect with critical theory in dialogue.
UK English Literature examiners give marks for close reading paired with theoretical or contextual framing. Pure plot summary scores at the bottom of the band.
What close reading looks like
Quote → identify a formal feature (metaphor, enjambment, free indirect discourse) → explain its effect → connect to a wider thematic or theoretical argument. Repeat per paragraph.
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