How to read critically and annotate at a college-level:

As you read, you need to be actively thinking. You cannot be passive readers and succeed at being critical college readers. Active readers question the text and interact with it by making connections and in-depth analysis of why and how the author constructed his or her work. To help you, I’ve listed below things to analyze and annotate as you read. The goal: you ultimately will need to know each text as if you are the expert on it. By the way, understanding the analytical text is not the same as understanding the content of the book (what the story is about).

Annotate based on the following:

  • Write directly in your book. Underlining does nothing unless you have a comment on the side to remind you of why you underlined the passage.
  • As you read, find clues that reveal what message(s) the author is hoping you and/or society will gain from reading his or her work. (How does the author create this message(s) effectively? What would you use to prove this?)
  • Analyze all motifs: recurring images, symbols, or themes that support subplots, character development, or the purpose and meaning of the text.
  • Analyze symbolism as you see it. Stick to the larger symbolism.
  • Analyze anything that will help you to characterize the characters.
  • Mark important quotes for the plot, meaning, and character development.
  • Note the narrative voice—1st, 3rd, etc. because it can change the meaning of the story. If it shifts in the book, note it and figure out why. How the story is told will influence the plot. For example, does the point of view create a biased story or does it allow you to know everything.
  • At the very beginning of the novel, note the time period and the settings. Keep you analytical eye out for setting changes and how the setting influences the plot in different places throughout the story.
  • Analyze any contrasts you begin to see and their purposes. Observe contrasts in themes, people, or events. For example, consistent contrast of dark v. light setting or female v. male conflict.
  • Note the different conflicts and their importance.
  • Note any connections to previously read text and note foreshadowing and allusions
  • Question the text for gaps in time or plot
  • Ask questions like: “How is this possible?” “Why is the author including this event or character? What is its purpose to the overall meaning of the book?” (Try to answer your questions as you read.)