Short StoriesThe Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Tangerine by Edward Bloor

It is writing in a book to show your interaction with the text.

It is ACTIVE reading. It makes the invisible visible. It supports understanding of text and

critical thinking.

It’s having a conversation with the text.

It’s questions, comments, opinions, and ideas inspired by the text.

It represents your personal interaction with the story.

It helps you focus on required aspects of the story such as literary devices and author’s craft.

Writing comments in the margins—use any white space available.

Writing comments in between or within lines of the text.

FOCUS ON: 1. Literary devices and author’s craft2. Themes3. Important realizations/thoughts

a) Writing questions or wonderings.b) Writing predictions as you read.c) Recording personal connections with the story.

Expressing agreement or disagreement with text.

Commenting on the actions or development of a character.

Noting a realization or epiphany. Recording discussion points to clarify

with others.

Use this method sparingly (not a lot!) Highlight only a few words or short

phrases. Always combine with another

technique such as a comment or symbol.

Use this method sparingly (not a lot!) Underline only a few words or short

phrases. Always combine with another

technique such as a comment or symbol.

Remember that highlighting or underlining full passages or pages is the same as highlighting or underlining NOTHING because you can’t tell what’s important.

Instead use [brackets] to encapsulate important passages AND combine with comments or symbols.

Write your name, class period, and teacher on the inside cover.

Use a RED pen to annotate for literary devices and author’s craft.

Use a different color to annotate theme and/or unique, important realizations.

Annotate multiple times while you read and be prepared to share and discuss your annotations in class.

Focus specifically on the elements of Author’s Craft to which you have been introduced.

Be aware of how author’s craft is used to create meaning and affects mood and theme.

Author’s Craft - Language and literary devices the author purposely uses to craft (or create) and enhance a story

Mood – A feeling created by the author through his/her use of words• Mood can vary from scene to scene, but

often longer works (like a novel) have an overall mood as well

Theme – a message about life or human nature that can be inferred by analyzing the events, characters, and outcomes in a novel or literary work

Annotation should ADD to the reading experience; it requires time and thought, but should not be too disruptive.

“A” Level Annotation• 50 or more annotations by final due date• Must number annotations• Clear focus on literary devices, author’s craft,

and bullying themes• Insightful annotations that go beyond simply

describing the device

See the rubric for exactly how you will be graded.• Final Annotations Rubric

http://www.spx.org/departments/english/summerreading/documents/SummerReading-Annotating.pdf

http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/annotate.htm

http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/reading/critread/pop5b.cfm