Annotation of textbook

How to read a poem

According to Wyrick, J, it is crucial to prepare a pen to take notes when we are reading the literature work no matter the novels or poems. We shall note down the main key words and make the comments. Before reading the poem, we shall notice the biographical information of the author in order to realize the background of the pome. In addition, we can find out the clues from the title of the poem, since it may be the main idea of the poem. (Wyrick, J.,2013)

Take the poem “My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold” for example. The author is William Wordsworth born in 1770; he loves the “simple, often-overlooked things.” In the Romantic Movement, Wordsworth treasured life and nature (SHMOOP UNIVERSITY, 2014). He uses the image of a rainbow to show the beautiful nature and his passion toward the nature. He completed the poem in 1807. After browsing the information of the author, we start to analyze the poem; the speaker is the poet narrating in the first personal. And the setting is the rainbow in the nature; the only character is also the poet. The style of diction is quite simple and natural; the image of the rainbow is the symbol of the eternity which is originated from the story of Noah Ark.

        The analysis of the poem contains not only the content but also the structures such as the sonnet, ballad or free verse. Sound device such as alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia and repetitions are usually presented in the poem. The poem may also involve in the rhythm, caesuras and the meter of the Iambic pentameter like “The Child is father of the Man.”

        In briefly and generally, annotating the poem shall start with the introduction such as title, author, brief content and thesis. After presenting the basic information of the poem, we can analyze the imagery or contrasting in poem. At the end of the essay, we shall make the conclusion to restate thesis and main idea.  

To sum up, the six steps to annotate the literature are beneficial to compose the essay thoroughly. First, selecting a workable topic is critical for us to start the article so that it might not become the cliché. The second is presenting a clear thesis so that reader can understand immediately and directly. Third, follow literary conventions. Fourth, organize effectively. Fifth, use ample evidence. It is significant for any writer to write down the reference if you quote from other’s words or sentences. The final one is to find a pleasing conclusion. Let reader get the new insight from the conclusion. But we shall avoid assigning meanings, using material without citations and writing plot summary as the analysis. (Wyrick, J.,2013)

       In conclusion, the skills of reading literature include from the background, contents to the format. And the similar tips for writing annotations of poem or any literature contain the fundamental components with information of the author, contents and structures. Writing the annotation shall equip the basic steps to become the formal articles.    

   

Reference

Wyrick, J. (2013). Steps to writing well (12th edition ed.)Writing about Literature.

P468-480. MA: Thompson.

SHMOOP UNIVERSITY. (2014). My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold. Retrived from Shmoop: http://www.shmoop.com/my-heart-leaps/rhyme-form-meter.html