Close reading, also known as careful, analytical or critical reading, is a process that involves dissecting and analyzing a text with a magnifying glass to understand its deeper meaning. It comprises a thorough examination of every word, sentence, and paragraph to reveal the author's intended message. Other terms that are synonymous with close reading include text analysis, deep reading, contextual reading, and interpretive reading. Close reading goes beyond surface-level comprehension of a text and is a key skill utilized in literary analysis, research, and academic writing. As such, it is crucial for students, researchers, and scholars who aim to extract the most meaning from written material.