Editing How to Annotate a Poem (section)

== Step-by-Step Annotation Process ==

# '''Read the Poem (Initial Reading):''' Start by reading the poem all the way through '''at least once or twice''' without writing anything (Don't Hate! Annotate! How to REALLY Annotate a Poem - David Rickert) (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples). Get a feel for the overall '''tone and subject'''. It often helps to '''read it aloud''' to hear the rhythm and sound – this can reveal the poem’s mood and flow (What is a good way to annotate a poem? - Study Mind). Don’t worry if you don’t grasp everything on the first read; the goal is to familiarize yourself with the poem.
# '''Examine the Title and Context:''' Consider the title before diving into detailed notes. Jot down any '''predictions or questions''' the title raises about the poem’s subject (for example, *“Ozymandias” might make you wonder who or what that is). If you know the '''poet’s background or the poem’s context''', note any relevant connections (time period, cultural context, author’s life) that might influence the poem’s themes or language. This can guide your understanding as you annotate.
# '''Paraphrase and Clarify:''' Now read the poem again, '''line by line'''. As you go, '''underline or highlight any unfamiliar words''' and look them up, writing a short definition above or near the word (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples). Also try to '''paraphrase''' difficult lines or entire stanzas in your own words – either in the margins or on a separate sheet. This ensures you grasp the literal meaning before analyzing deeper layers. By translating the poem into plain language, you’ll catch any confusing syntax or references early.
# '''Underline Key Phrases and Images:''' On a third read, begin '''active annotation'''. '''Underline or highlight important lines, phrases, or images''' that strike you (What is a good way to annotate a poem? - Study Mind). These might be repeated words, vivid descriptions, or anything that provokes a strong response. In the margin, '''jot down brief comments or questions''' about why those lines stand out. For example, if a line evokes a certain feeling or seems to hint at a theme, note that (“strong image – highlights loneliness”). If something is puzzling, mark it with a question to revisit later.
# '''Identify Figurative Language & Devices:''' '''Circle or label any literary devices''' you find, and note their effect (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples) (How should I annotate a poem? | MyTutor). Look for '''figurative language''' like metaphors, similes, and personification, as well as sound devices like alliteration or assonance (more on these devices below). Mark them on the poem (e.g., write “metaphor” or use abbreviations like “sim” for simile) and draw an arrow or write a note about '''why the poet might have used that device'''. For instance, if you circle a metaphor, note what two things are being compared and how that comparison adds meaning (“metaphor: compares time to a thief – emphasizes loss”). This step keeps you focused on how the '''language creates meaning and tone''' (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples).
# '''Analyze Structure and Form:''' Pay attention to the poem’s '''structure'''. Note the '''form''' (Is it a sonnet? Free verse? A haiku?), the number of stanzas, and the line lengths. Mark any places where a sentence or thought '''runs from one line to the next without punctuation''' – this is enjambment (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples). Jot a note on what effect it has (e.g., “enjambment speeds up the flow” or “creates suspense into next line”). Also, check for '''end-stopped lines''' (lines that end with punctuation) versus run-on lines, and consider their impact. If the poem has a '''rhyme scheme''', label it by assigning letters to each rhyme at the end of lines (for example, an ABAB rhyme pattern) (How to Annotate a Poem - Great Tips and Examples). You can write these letters at the ends of lines or in the margin. Similarly, if you notice a consistent '''meter or rhythm''' (such as iambic pentameter), note the meter and where it might vary. All these structural observations help reveal the poem’s technique: for instance, a tight rhyme scheme might create a nursery-rhyme feel, whereas broken rhythm could reflect chaos in the theme.
# '''Note Tone and Mood:''' Consider the '''tone''' – the speaker’s attitude or emotional flavor of the poem. As you read, '''highlight or circle words that convey emotion or attitude''' (e.g. bitter, joyful, sarcastic, calm) and write tone descriptors in the margin (“tone: hopeful yet anxious”). If the tone shifts at any point (say, from joyful to somber), draw a line or arrow and note '''“tone shift”''' at that line. Identifying tone helps you understand the poem’s emotional core. Also think about the '''mood''' it creates for you as a reader (the overall atmosphere). Tone and mood are closely related, and noting them will enrich your interpretation of the poem’s meaning.
# '''Identify Themes and Messages:''' As your understanding grows, start '''identifying key themes'''. A theme is a central idea or message the poem explores (for example, themes might be love, mortality, nature, isolation, etc.). Write theme ideas in the margin or at the bottom of the page. You might connect theme notes to specific lines by drawing arrows. For instance, if you suspect “loss of innocence” is a theme, note it next to lines that illustrate this. Also, if the poem’s '''title''' now makes more sense in light of the whole poem, jot a quick note revisiting the title and how it connects to the theme (many analysis methods like TPCASTT emphasize re-examining the title after reading). By the end of your annotation, try writing '''a one-sentence summary of the poem’s meaning or message''' in your notes () (this can be beside the title or at the bottom). This crystallizes the theme in your own words.
# '''Ask Questions and Comment:''' Throughout the annotation, '''engage in a “conversation” with the poem'''. Write down any questions that come to mind about meaning, motive, or technique (“Why does the speaker repeat this phrase?” “Is the dove a symbol for peace here?”). Also note your '''personal reactions''' or connections (“This reminds me of…”, “I love this image because…”). These annotations can be in the margins or on sticky notes. Questioning the text and connecting it to other ideas will deepen your understanding and might reveal interpretations you’ll explore later. Remember, annotation is for ''you'' – so if something seems important or intriguing, mark it and comment on it.
# '''Review and Reflect:''' Finally, '''read the poem one more time''' with all your annotations in place (How should I annotate a poem? | MyTutor). This time, you’ll be reading with full awareness of the poem’s devices, structure, and potential meanings. See how the pieces come together. Add any last notes or '''draw connections''' between elements (for example, draw a line linking a device you marked and a theme note if they relate). At this stage, you might jot a brief '''overall impression or thesis''' about the poem at the end of your notes (for example, “Overall: the poem uses nature imagery and a mournful tone to convey the persistence of hope after loss”). Now you have a richly annotated poem ready for deeper analysis or discussion![[File:Add_protein.png|thumb]]

(Don't Hate! Annotate! How to REALLY Annotate a Poem - David Rickert) ''An example of an annotated poem (Christina Rossetti’s “I Wish I Could Remember That First Day”). Notice the reader’s margin notes and markups: important phrases are underlined, questions (“why?”) are posed next to lines, and comments about meaning and literary devices are written in the white space. This kind of detailed annotation helps capture your insights and questions for later analysis.''