Topics, Annotation, and the epistemic approach.

Topics for Reading Selections Choose a topic that is interesting… TO YOUR STUDENTS!!! Pop culture (allows for multi-media) Choose a topic that is both relevant and serves a socio-political epistemic function

Epistemology (classical) Concerned with the theory of knowledge. . How does a cognitive being determine what is “true” and what is “false” in order to create and establish a knowledge base?

Socio-political Epistemic In addressing the social dimensions of knowledge, social epistemologists understand "knowledge" as simply what is believed, or what beliefs are "institutionalized" in this or that community, culture, or context. They seek to identify the social forces and influences responsible for knowledge production. How do we as cognitive beings establish truths and acquire knowledge and what social and political forces are creating this knowledge.

How does this relate to INRW students? Choosing reading selections that have students examine and interrogate widely held truths and their own beliefs helps foster critical analysis and introspection. Having them trace these institutionalized truths back to their social political power structures legitimizes a students sense of agency in learning

So that brings us to…

Zombies They are in pop culture They are relevant They have media components They have a social political origin

Annotation Have them identify thesis, supporting arguments, main ideas But teach them to identify simply what’s funny “ha!” and what’s interesting “wow!” All while studying something that is interesting and epistemic.

Annotation annotate: Verb [-tating, -tated] to add critical or explanatory notes to a written work [Latin nota mark] Decide on Your Method Write in the margins and directly on the lines of the text if you own the book If you don't own the book, sticky notes are good and can also easily be removed. Finally, you can write on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to note the page number and passage you are referring to.

Passive vs. Active Annotations Passive Annotations do not involve much thought or comprehension. Passive Annotation Ex. “haha” or “wow” Ex. simply underlining/highlighting interesting, important, or confusing words, sentences or phrases. If you don’t know a word look it up! Write a short definition or synonym that you do know

Passive vs. Active Annotations The thesis of an essay is its main or controlling idea, the point the writer is trying to make. The thesis is often expressed in one or two sentence statement. The thesis is supported by “main” or “supporting” ideas It is important when annotating to locate and underline the thesis, as well as the supporting ideas.

Passive vs. Active Annotations Active Annotations are written connections, questions, and observations. They require readers to think and express their ideas, “Hemingway as a young man” “Evidence of time period” “Same way of talking as dead character” “Why is Sartoris so angry?”

Types of Annotating Types of Annotation Questions and Answers Summary of Main Ideas Character Descriptions Possible Test Questions Patterns / Motifs Personal Connections to Text Explanations of Text Marking Important Passages