After students have read around the document, suggest they read the body of the document paying attention to the literal meaning of the text. Invite students to consider each of the R.A.F.T.S questions and look to see if their interpretations of the initial list of words are consistent with a close reading of the text. Remind students to re-visit their initial evidence and conclusions and to change or add to their R.A.F.T.S. chart as required. Questions they might consider when read “in” the text include the following:
Topic: What issue or concern is addressed? How do you know this? Is it explicitly stated or inferred? What evidence or examples are used?
Strong Verb: What powerful words or phrases hint at the author’s point or position? What action does the author want to see taken?
Audience: What information is not included but may be assumed knowledge of the recipient? What information seems to have been withheld?
