When performing a close reading of a passage, what three aspects should you analyze to interpret meaning?

• A. Diction, imagery, and theme.
• B. Diction (word choice), syntax (sentence structure), and textual evidence (support for claims).
• C. Plot, setting, and character.
• D. Rhyme scheme, meter, and alliteration.

Answer: (B)

Close reading focuses on how language itself creates meaning. The best way to interpret a passage is to zero in on how the author uses words, how sentences are put together, and how you support your interpretation with exact lines from the text.

Word choice (diction) shows tone, nuance, and connotation—why a writer picks certain terms matters, because those choices push a particular mood or idea. How sentences are arranged (syntax) affects emphasis, pacing, and rhythm; even small shifts in punctuation or sentence length can change how a moment feels or what it highlights. And using textual evidence means grounding your ideas in specific passages, showing exactly where the interpretation comes from rather than relying on guesswork.

The other options touch on elements that are part of literary analysis in different ways, but they don’t align with the core close-reading practice of analyzing language and structure together with evidence.