Active Reading: How to Annotate and Highlight a Literary Text

What to Highlight or Underline

• Important plot details: character names, place names, significant objects.

• First and last lines (+ annotate with some commentary on tone!)

• Lines that seem particularly important to theme or character development

• Always highlight a metaphor/simile or symbol if you think you have found one.

What and When to Annotate (definition: marking up a text with your pen by circling words or phrases and by writing comments and responses in the margin)

• The “story arc”: note the story’s set-up / turning point / end

• Narration: 1st person or 3rd person?

• Tone: What is the tone (emotional atmosphere) at the beginning of the story? At the end? Try to pick specific adjectives, such as “tragic,” “optimistic,” “suspenseful,” “comic,” “matter-of-fact,” etc.

• Jot down possible themes as they come up: a theme is a universal topic, such as justice, race, class, communication, etc.

• Note places where a conflict seems to occur

• Circle examples of contrast and examples similarity in words or ideas—definitely mark any repetition of words, ideas, or images!

• Comment on possible symbol

• Always write a comment at the conclusion of the story that captures your response, even if it is confusion! Try to be specific—what are your thoughts about the end of the story?