Arrange the steps involved in close reading sequentially, from what you would do first to what you would do last.

Summarize what you read and highlighted.

Take notes on your reactions to the literary elements you identified.

Reread the story.

Read the story from beginning to end.

Annotate specific parts of the text by highlighting phrases or sentences and noting the literary elements used.

1. Read the story from beginning to end - the first thing you need to do is read the whole story so as to see what you are dealing with;

2. Annotate specific parts of the text by highlighting phrases or sentences and noting the literary elements used - this you need to do in order to emphasize the most important elements that you need to focus on;

3. Take notes on your reactions to the literary elements you identified - first, you need to identify these elements (which you did in step 2), and then think about them and see what your reactions may be;

4. summarize what you've read and highlighted - try to shorten the story in order to see whether you've covered everything;

5. reread the story - so as to check everything one more time.