1. Annotating Literature
NOTE:
To change the image on this slide, select the picture and delete it. Then click the Pictures icon in the placeholder to insert your own image.
Interacting with the text

2. Why annotate?
For me, you will annotate to “show your work” when you read.
For you, annotation helps you remember what interested you, inspired you or simply struck your ear as a lovely turn of phrase
It will help when you return to write about or study a text.
It will cut down (unfortunately not completely) on those “space out” episodes

3. Tools
Text
Highlighter
Pencil

4. Required Annotations
Inside front cover – Major character list with crucial scenes or changes. Provide page numbers for reference.
Inside back cover – Build a list of themes, motifs, symbols, key scenes…
Beginning of Chapter – Quick summary of events
Marginal notes are at your discretion, but designate a place (I use the top of the page) to put plot points and questions, and a place (I use the side margins) to interact with the text.

5. Useful symbols
PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING FOR UNIFORMITY AND EASE OF GRADING!
Underline or highlight key words, phrases or sentences which are important to your understanding of the work.
Bracket “[ ]” longer passages and key thematic elements
Connect ideas with arrows
Number sequences or listed ideas of the author
Star or Asterisk “*” use sparingly to indicate the ten (or so) most important passages of the work
??? Means you don’t understand
!!! Means you are excited or surprised by something

6. Useful Symbols Cont. Check marks “” mean you understand something
A heart “” means you loved something, if thou art capable of love, that is.
“S” indicates a Symbol in use
“M” indicates a Motif
“F” for figurative language
“I” for image
“T” for tone
“Th” theme
Any other devices not mentioned should be indicated by you when you spot them.

7. Helpful hints
Don’t over do it, but don’t under-do it either. Each page of any text should appear to have been read and considered, but too many annotations is counterproductive and cluttered.
Poetic annotations will be much more cluttered. Think of poems like short stories done in a single page. Therefore a full story’s worth of annotations condensed to a single page of a poem.
Don’t mark a book that does not belong to you. That’s just rude. And maybe illegal. Use post-it notes instead.
Don’t let annotation get in the way of enjoyed reading. If you are “into it,” read on and come back to it later. Or better yet, use a symbol and elaborate on it later.