How do I closely analyse a passage of text?

The key to performing close analysis of any passage of text is to look not just at what it is saying (the content), but how it is saying it. This involves identifying various devices used by the author, including things such as similes, metaphors, verb and adjective choices, imagery, and foreshadowing, amongst many others. Once these have been found, it is key to try to explain the effect of these devices and how it contributes to what the author is trying to say in their text.