1. Expectations for Annotations (At the AP 12 Level)

2. Connections are great, but…
Don’t be limited by them.
They should happen NATURALLY at this level, not forced.
Look for BIG ideas about…
Author purpose
Tone
Structure
Theme
Always read to prepare for discussions.

3. Types of Annotations that I
Connections to the human condition
Ex: “This passage sums up how fragile we are as humans when it comes to…”
Ex: “The tone of this passage challenges humanity’s typical way of thinking, which is…”
Author purpose – always
Why did he write it that way?
How did the structure add to the work?
What did he hope to PROVE through this message?
Diction analysis
Studying WHY words were put WHERE

4. Quote Analysis Highlighting important quotes and bringing them to life
“This quote reveals a different side of this character because…”
“The author is proving something about society in this quote because…”
Look for quotes that…
Reveal characteristics of characters
Enhance theme
Relate to our own world
Don’t highlight without an explanation of the highlight!

5. SYMBOLS (Gahhhh I get goosebumps just thinking about them.)
Particularly with this novel, just about EVERYTHING (and everyone) represents something bigger. The entire work is one big allegory.
Think about hidden meanings… always.
Discussions about how symbols are used are often some of the most intense, amazing discussions.

6. Most importantly…
Find those GREAT discussion points through high-level questions.
Level 1 – one answer (blah)
Level 2 – answers vary, found in the book
Level 3 – answers vary, connect book to world
As you think of them through the reading, write them down! Margins, separate piece of paper… wherever it’s easiest for you.
They WILL be used, and they WILL be checked randomly!

7. Your book should really look like this… (realistically)