When you have selected the novel you intend to study, your first task is to begin reading. Your study of the novel will be quite detailed. Following the reading plan provided will save you a lot of time.

You may recall 'annotating' assignments earlier in the course. Now, you will annotate while you read, using sticky notes. To complete this annotation, use four colours of small stickies (the ones that are approximately the width of a finger) and one set of larger square stickies.

As you read, identify sections that develop by colour-coding them with the small stickies:

• Setting (yellow)
• Character (pink)
• Symbols and Irony (blue)
• Theme (green)

Note! You can colour-code each of the above elements as you see fit. The colours are listed after each element above, as an example. The key is to use the same colour sticky note for the same element throughout the entire novel.

At the end of each chapter, summarize the chapter in a sentence or two, and identify a key quotation and its page number. For this summary, use the larger sticky note.

By flagging information in this way, you can scan your novel easily for information. You can find information quickly for setting, character, symbols and irony, and theme. Being able to scan your novel quickly saves you a lot of time on later assignments.

Review an example of Mohammed's sticky note annotations.