Techniques of Close Reading

by Barry Brummett

In a world in which messages increasingly ask us to believe, accept, buy, and follow, the ability to read texts closely in order to gain a deeper understanding of their meanings is an indispensable survival skill.

Techniques of Close Reading is a brief book that helps students see what texts may be saying, be they written, oral, visual, or mediated. Renowned scholar and professor Barry Brummett explains and explores the various ways to "read" messages (such as speeches, cartoons, or magazine ads), teaching students how to see deeper levels of meaning and to share those insights with others. Students learn techniques for discovering form, rhetorical tropes, argument, and ideologies within texts.

This book differs from other books in rhetorical criticism, textual analysis, or critical thinking
 

Genres: Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ebony · Rating 1 out of 5]

Techniques of Close Reading is an excellent idea. An undergraduate primer that shows how applicable close reading can be in their every day lives. Instead of focusing on methods (that no one uses for publication anymore), it zeroes in on the structure of texts—form, transformation, argument, ideology. Brummett writes accessibly in a short, unintimidating book. And yet, it’s boring. It’s boring because the book is about Brummett and how he sees the world. In addition to a plethora of personal stories, his examples are so white, so male, and so dated. The irony (which he should appreciate) is that he does incorporate black people but it always reads so obligatory—like, “it’s 2010 and no one is going to buy this book if I don’t mention black people and the half black president.” His last example about how Obama’s half whiteness and global experiences don’t make him black unless black people need him to be was infuriating. It totally reads like a well-intentioned white liberal who bases everything on his personal experiences and can say, “See I’m not racist because I am in a position to tell mostly white undergrads how black people think through my textbook.” I’m biased because his pop culture book is equally racist and I kept hearing it in my head as I read. Actually, I don’t know why I still read Brummett at all, but I was looking for a different kind of criticism book. This one is different, but there’s a huge disconnect between his techniques and application. A student might be able to identify opposition or enthymeme based on his examples, but then what? How do they form an argument about their text? How do they write a thought piece let alone a research essay? In all fairness, he notes the book can be used as a companion text that more clearly lays out those steps, but if I have to use another text, why assign Brummett at all? Like I said, the book is a good idea just not good practice when it comes to teaching race or criticism.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book with an engaging tone, written at the undergraduate level with lots of good examples. The tone will date quickly, I suspect, but that's what new editions are for... I may end up using this in classes at some point, so that's definitely a vote in favor.

[Seth Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great introductory text with class exercises that would be fun to do.