Using a ‘magnifying glass’ to analyse text is a pupil-friendly way to promote close reading skills. If you’ve not followed the structure of this type of activity before, it’s a technique that promotes deeper understand of text through re-reading.

On the first reading, pupils are encouraged to articulate what the text is about and to notice its organisational features. They’re then directed to read the text again; this time noticing the author’s use of words and phrases and the effectiveness of these.

Finally, pupils are asked to read the text a third time; this time taking account of the author’s point of view and commenting on how they connect with the text personally.

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