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 multi-clause sentence A sentence with more than two clauses..
- 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 literary deviceAny method an author uses to add meaning or interest to a text, such as metaphors, similes or alliteration. that stand out because theyâre unusual, or because they link closely to the character, theme or setting.
- Highlight individual words to explore closely - those with particular connotationAn idea or image which is suggested by a word, which is not its dictionary meaning, eg the connotation of 'desk' might be school. 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 characterâs appearance is linked to a theme.
- Highlight points where narrativeThe sequence of events in a plot; a story. perspective is shown through the language.
- Is the author using the perspective for a particular effect? Pick out examples to support your ideas.
Annotating for themes and ideas
- Highlight any words or phrases that link to the main themes or a particular semantic fieldA group of words that are linked by meaning, for example words about family or words linked to the supernatural. .
Example
Here is an example of some selective annotations. The student is focused on the language choices in this extract:
- metaphorA comparison made without using 'like' or 'as', eg 'sea of troubles' and 'drowning in debt'. - âNanaâs fine hair floated in a halo around her headâ â positive connotations
- sibilanceGives a hissing sound like 's' or 'sh'. â the repeated use of the letter 's' adds softness here
- personificationA type of imagery in which non-human objects, animals or ideas are given human characteristics. â their âdark fingersâ is sinister, but then contrasts with the adverbA word that describes a verb (an action or a doing word). âg±đČÔłÙ±ôČââ
- personal pronounThe pronouns in English (I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, us, and them) showing contrasts of person, gender, number, and case. â the use of âourâ, âusâ and âweâ â sense of family
- tricolon Three parallel words, phrases or sentences. of three single clause sentences â creates rhythm and interest for reader