Scribble

Scribble (Annotate)

All of the previous steps should be written or doodled directly on the printout of your poem. This is called annotating. Scribble your thoughts, curiosities, questions, or disagreements in the margins of the poem, as a way of talking back to the author (or speaker) and the text, in a sort of informal conversation. If you are a visual person, doodle your reactions on the page. Underline notable passages.  Basically, just note down whatever helps you capture your initial responses to the text to help you make sense of them later.

Tips for Annotating:

• It doesn't have to look pretty (but should be legible).

• You might want to colour code your annotations (e.g. different colours for noticing, questioning, and pondering; or different colours for different categories of things, such as metaphor, rhyme, etc.). See the image below for an example of colour coding.

• Think of it as a dialogue with the poet or the poem.

• This is a way of tracking your thinking and understanding of the poem.

• Doodling can be an excellent way of exploring the imagery, and can also be helpful when memorizing your poem.

• Always note the TONE: the dominant tone in the piece, as well as shifts in tone throughout.