Annotating a Text (The Great Gatsby)

I still haven't found the best way to help students engage in a text through annotation--but I keep trying!

Every student has his own personal preference: some like to write directly in the book; some like to take notes in a notebook or reading journal; others still want to log those notes in digital format.  Personally, I want to write directly in my book.  The ability to have my note directly next to the text I'm pondering is a method that most makes sense for me.  However, our students don't currently have the ability to do this unless they purchase their own books.  This is a rare choice for my students.  Our school provides books from our textbook/novel library.  Books are checked out to students, and the books are expected to be returned in excellent condition.

You return your book in subprime condition (let alone with "Check marks, asterisks, and exclamations points rain[ing] down along the sidelines."  Thank you, Billy Collins) and the librarians be like:






So...students take to a variety of methods:







Given the situation, I would probably elect to do what the student above did: use post-it notes on the pages.

But--methods aside--let's talk about what students actually write.  Usually, I try to give them some sort of guide to focus their notes.  In this case, we focused on the following Learning Targets for the unit overall:

I can explain how an author's structure is important to the meaning of the text (through comparing the exposition and resolution of the story and other methods).

I can pick a specific paragraph and sentences and explain how that sets a mood for the paragraph.

I can identify the literary devices used to contribute to the overall meaning of the book.

I can identify the personality of the characters, explain the plot, the setting, and how the characters interact with each other—and provide textual support for my ideas.

Then, students were encouraged to focus their annotations on those topics.  Overall, I'd say their annotations and thinking about the text were excellent.  Students are writing their Literary Analysis essays today and tomorrow--so we'll see if that method of note taking & thinking paid off in their writing.