Annotating Books...

I figure this is the best place to ask this on 4chan, but it still probably won't do very well.  Anyway, here goes.

I've just started taking Eng 102 over the summer because I can't avoid it any longer. Don't get me wrong, I love reading, but I'm not very good at what the the course calls "Active Reading;" constantly challenging and commenting on what the author is saying. I guess I'm a better passive reader, since I read for pleasure.

Well, the teacher highly recommends highlighting and annotating the literature to become a better active reader. I've got a vague idea on how to do this, so I've started marking a number whenever I see some imagery, irony or other literary devices I think are important and commenting on them in my notebook.

Does anybody have any further advice on doing this?

That "active reading" crap really-really sounds horrible. The whole process of percepting art is based on trust between the artist and his audience. Half the job on any work is spent on making it believable (not unquestionable, just believable, because that's all that matters), and reader only does himself a horrible, masochistic disservice in trying to undo everything that is needed for his own person in order to properly enjoy the work.

There, I'll tell you how you _properly_ read books:
1. You pick something expecting, or at least hoping, that it's a good book;
2. You read it and believe it until you just can't do that anymore;
3. Did the book end before "2"? If yes, then it was a good one, wasn't it, ole chap. No? Too bad.

Anyway; reading with sole purpose of arguing with the author is an excercise in missing the point of literature entirely, while also self-mutilatingly spoiling yourself a good story. Tell your teacher to stop fucking up your reading habits with their faggotry.

Oh, and I've got an idea: you might show or retell her this post and ask to "active read" it for you and see how well that goes.

you have my sympathies

>>2

Go with this wise Anon.

when I annotate, I basically try to come up with a sentence fragment to sum up each paragraph. Not every paragraph, but stuff like "character arrives at hospital," "doctor tells character blah blah blah," and stuff like that. That way if I have to go back to a certain moment I just have to check my annotations. I also take notice of when a new character is introduced. Sum up conversations. I quit highlighting in annotations.

>>1
That's horrifying.  The mere prospect of writing in one of my books bothers me immensely.

>>2
I agree with you.  The premise of "active reading" is one of the main things deterring me from pursuing a degree in English, despite literature being my strong point and my primary interest.  I'd much rather enjoy a novel than dissect it.

>>1
Be sure to rub your soul patch thoughtfully when annotating, especially if you think a scene girl might be watching you.  Also, remember to hold your book upright from your lap when you read so that that the great unwashed can see what the enlightened read.

Read how you want, pass the course, and tell your teacher to go fuck him/herself when you have the credits on your transcript.

Annotate what makes sense to you. The teacher may tell you to look for some things in particulay but if they're not things that stand out or matter to you, then instead annotate for obvious things like imagery, syntax, and characters. When in doubt just make notes that keep track of the plot in the margins.

When I read a really good book, and not a book I read for leisure, I can't help but annotate. Useless annotations, but some sentences just strike me as being exceptional and I can't help but underline or star them.

>>8
>just make notes that keep track of the plot in the margins
Oh God, why would you do that?..

>I can't help but underline or star them
Holy shit, this is fucking horrible. Is it some kind of mental sickness?