Close reading and annotation activities

Besides the fact that I did personal annotating in my free time, I mostly did annotating in class when close-reading passages from Fahrenheit 451.  Close-reading was definetly tiring but I liked it a lot. Whilst reading I'd always annotate and add sticky notes onto passages to add epiphanies or questions that would be prepared to TQE. Furthermore, close-reading was also applied in group work, where I'd listen to my friend's opinions and come to a conclusion with both of our opinions. 

Academic Growth

Annotating during close-reading sessionsly while studying Fahrenheit 451, helped me develop stronger analytical and reading comprehension skills. By marking up the text in real time, I was able to notice literary devices, symbolism, and important themes that I might have missed on a first read. This process deepened my understanding of the novel and allowed me to engage more meaningfully with class discussions and writing assignments. Annotating also helped me slow down and think critically about how the author’s language shaped meaning, which improved my ability to interpret complex texts. Over time, I became more confident in identifying key passages and using my annotations to support claims in essays and discussions. 

Personal Growth

On a personal level, the act of annotating helped me become a more focused and independent learner. Even though most of my annotation happened in class, I found myself choosing to annotate in my free time as well, which shows how I was taking ownership of my learning. This habit helped me stay engaged with the reading and allowed me to reflect on the material more deeply. It also taught me the importance of being thorough and intentional with my work, a mindset that has carried over into other areas of my academic and personal life. Annotating made reading feel less passive and more like a conversation between me and the text, which helped me grow as both a reader and a thinker.