A close reading is a very careful examination of any kind of text. You can do a close reading of a book or also something like a movie or a song. When doing a close reading you examine all the techniques that the author or creator used to make create his text. Its purpose is to be able to understand the deeper meaning of the text and relate it to your life.I have found that once you can relate to the text and make personal connection to it then you are more likely to understand it and have a better appreciation for the text.