3.15: Taking Notes on a Novel
- Page ID
- 353486
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Reading and Taking Notes on a Novel
As you start reading the novel, I want you to take a few minutes to think about how you want to take notes as you read. Reading for academic purposes often involves close reading through annotations which we have been talking about throughout the semester. Sometimes, the thought of annotating a full-length novel can be overwhelming, and I want you to really think about what your time looks like and how you can best interact with this novel. The following video describes five levels of novel annotation which the speaker labels as “5 Levels of Laziness.” Really she is just talking about levels of engagement with the text. I think it’s helpful to consider various aspects of these levels as you begin reading the novel so that you can develop a system that works for you.
Video produced by A Ray of Reading, all rights reserved. It is not openly licensed but freely available to all.
eBooks
This class is zero textbook costs because the college has purchased an eBook license for the novel we will be reading. The library has also purchased a few physical copies of the book if you would prefer to check out a print copy.
The link to that eBook is available through the CRC Library databases. You will be asked to enter your wID and password (same one used for Canvas) to access the book. Please note, I’m unable to link to specific pages of the ebook so it will be important for you to check your assigned readings carefully so you know what you are supposed to read any given week.
Link to Book: Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Please watch the video below which explains how to use the tools within the eBook:
The description of this YouTube video contains links to specific sections so you don’t have to watch the entire video if you’re looking for instructions on a specific topic.
Video produced by Andi Adkins Pogue, all rights reserved. It is not openly licensed but freely available to all.
Physical Books
I am a huge proponent of writing directly in my books, especially if I am going to have to write about it or discuss it with others. If you decide to purchase a book or check one out from the CRC or public library, you may consider some additional options for annotation.
Although you can't really take notes in a book that you have checked out from the library, you can use post-it notes or flags to mark specific pages of the book. Here is an example of someone who used post-it notes and little flags on the pages of a book and color-coordinated them to topics that she was noticing in the book.
Reading Logs
In addition to directly annotating or using post it notes/flags in your physical or ebook, I would encourage you to keep a separate reading log.
I often fold up a few pages of binder paper to keep in my book as a bookmark. I use that binder paper to jot down notes about each chapter or key passages or quotes with their page numbers.
You might also create a Google doc or Google sheet to record your thoughts about and/or quotations on specific pages.
There are many ways to keep a reading log, but the purpose is to have a document that provides page numbers for important ideas and passages that you may want to come back to. You don’t have to write down complete ideas or complete quotations. It might look something like this:
