The Art of Annotating

The Pathway to Analytical Reading

The Profile of the Good Reader

Set a purpose
vs

Connect what you are reading to

How does this relate to something else in my life family, community, etc? How does this relate to something else Ive read?

How does this relate to me?

Ask QUESTIONS
About the characters About the plot and how the author will unfold the narrative to you About information you dont understand

Writers often give you hints or clues that help you "read between the lines." These clues give you a deeper understanding. When you infer, you go beyond the surface details to see other meanings that the details suggest or imply (not stated). When the meanings of words are not stated clearly in the context of the text, they may be implied - that is, suggested or hinted at. When meanings are implied, you may infer them.

From this

To this

Evaluate and Judge

What is the author s thematic purpose? What ideas does the writer present that you agree with? Disagree with? How relevant are these ideas to you? What previous ideas of yours has this work changed or amplified?

The Levels of a Literary Text:

Moving from the

PLOT
to the THEMATIC

PLOT LEVEL
Things that can be answered with the question What? Things that concern events and setting and character descriptions. Things character does Plot-level outcome of characters actions Other characters reactions to events/other characters Setting details

Figurative Level
Things that can be answered with the question Why? or How?
Things that consider characters in the narrative as both dynamic people and also the result of artistic choices: People with goals, passions, ambitions, fears and desires.

When we INFER things about the hidden life of a character and what motivates him/her
When we consider literary devices and techniques that an author uses to connect certain emotions or ideas with a character, place, or event.

And the last and most sophisticated Level:

THEMATIC Level

when we can make thematic evaluations and statements. when we say that such and such a character/ represents a CONCEPT or an IDEA by his very construction; these take on a greater significance, and become a commentary on a deeper message, or overall point the author is conveying.

When we consider overarching ideas or universal themes that the author has asked us to consider

What does annotate mean?

Annotation is a method of writing down your ideas of a text:

To trace your reading (setting purpose, asking questions, connecting, summarizing, inferring)

To develop your understanding of literary analysis (plot, figurative, thematic)

Good annotations will have a balance of written ideas of

Your own thoughts, connections and ideas With Your understanding of the authors ideas and intentions

Reader Connections
Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction Text to SELF: Ive met people who seem to be part of a group of people you hate but then turn out to be likable for some reason Gatsbywho represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality Text to World: celebrities often become representative of the rich, spoiled, American Dream even if they do not characterize the rest of the celebrity world is a series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some The was indicates that he is either dead or this was written long after he was gorgeous heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those

intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away.

Gatsbywho represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If

This metaphor, comparing your personality to a series of choreographed, physical movements makes it seem like he is graceful
personality is a series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous Why does he evoke both scorn and gorgeous qualities? about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to How is he more sensitive to the promises of life? Does this mean he is more hopeful or more depressed? one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away Comparing him to a seismograph makes it seem as if he is in tune with FATE or Lady Luck and that things must always go his way, or that is what he must believe (Fitzgerald 3).

Unproductive Annotations
Gatsbywho represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If So Gatsby represents what he doesnt like personality is a series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous Hes good looking

about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to I dont get what this means one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away

(Fitzgerald 3).

Comment on a specific image

Mention literary devices/elements

Make a general comment about an entire line or whole quotation

Just discuss words or images Just mention your own opinion about the text

Mention authorial intent/ or at least try to speculate authorial intention