In the described close-reading steps, what is the second step?

• A. Find main ideas and details
• B. Identify and analyze the author's craft and structure (vocab, purpose, features)
• C. Evaluate, conclude, and connect
• D. Survey, Question, Read, Retrieve, Review

Answer: (B)

In close reading, after you get an initial overview of the text, the next move is to examine how the author builds the piece. This means analyzing the craft and structure: vocabulary choices, sentence rhythm, how parts are organized, and the author’s purpose or features. Understanding these elements shows why ideas are presented in a certain way and helps you sense the tone, stance, and possible biases. With that insight into craft and structure, you’re better prepared to identify the main ideas and details more accurately later and to connect what you’ve read to bigger meaning. The other options describe earlier or later tasks—surveying or reading for general ideas, or evaluating and connecting—that don’t capture the specific step of unpacking how the text is put together.