大象传媒

What to look for when annotating

Annotating structure

Read the text and look for patterns in the structure, for example:

  • Sentence length and type - eg single or .
  • Paragraph lengths and structure - eg focus on how the paragraph opens and closes.
  • Repeated words and phrases.
  • The order of ideas in the extract - eg where does the narrative start? Does the focus shift?

Annotating language and literary techniques

  • Highlight any interesting language features in the text.
  • Pick out examples of that stand out because they鈥檙e unusual, or because they link closely to the character, theme or setting.
  • Highlight individual words to explore closely - those with particular or ones that seem to relate to the theme of the text.

Annotating characterisation and voice

  • Pick out key elements which show the development of characters.
  • Look for phrases that reveal key details about characters. For example, you might highlight an example of where a character鈥檚 appearance is linked to a theme.
  • Find clues about the main voice in the piece. Is the story told in first, second or third-person? Highlight points where narrative voice is shown through the language.
  • Is the author using voice for a particular effect? Pick out examples of where they do so.

Annotating for themes and ideas

  • Highlight any words or phrases that link to the main themes or a particular .

Example

Here is an example of some selective annotations. The student is focused on the language choices in this extract:

Annotations including highlighting and underlining made to a body of text.
  • - 鈥楴ana鈥檚 fine hair floated in a halo around her head鈥 鈥 positive connotations
  • 鈥 the repeated use of the letter s adds softness here
  • 鈥 their 鈥榙ark fingers鈥 is sinister, but then contrasts with the 鈥榞别苍迟濒测鈥
  • 鈥 the use of 鈥榦ur鈥, 鈥榰s鈥 and 鈥榳e鈥 鈥 sense of family
  • of three single clause sentences 鈥 creates rhythm and interest for reader