A) Analysing Fiction

Question 1

Why is it a good idea to annotate texts?

Answer 1

Useful way to keep track of what you notice whilst reading.

Question 2

What can you do to annotate a text?

Answer 2

Circling or underlining words or phrases that are interesting or important + writing notes in margin.
Using different coloured highlighters to pick out different ideas, techniques or details.
Using one margin to make note of literary devices + in other margin add own response.

Question 3

What should I look for when annotating structure?

Answer 3

Sentence length + type.
Paragraph lengths + structure.
Repeated words + phrases.
Order of ideas in extract.

Question 4

What should I look for when annotating language and literary techniques?

Answer 4

Highlight interesting language features.
Examples of literary devices that stand out as unusual or because link closely to character, theme or setting.
Highlight individual words to explore closer those with particular connotations or 1s that seem to relate to theme of text.

Question 5

What should I look for when annotating characterisation and voice?

Answer 5

Pick out key elements which show development of characters.
Look for phrases that reveal key details about characters.
Find clues about main voice in piece. Is story told in 1st, 2nd or 3rd person? Highlight points where narrative voice shown through language.
Is author using voice for particular effect? Find examples where they do.

Question 6

What should I look for when annotating for themes and ideas?

Answer 6

Highlight words or phrases that link to main themes or particular semantic field.

Question 7

What might an exam question focus on?

Answer 7

Characters.
Narrative voice.
Themes and ideas.
Language.
Structure.
Effect on reader.