I want you to re-read your story with three purposes:

1) To clarify your understanding (turn up the dimmer switch, so you can see more clearly what is in the room).

2) Notice Contrast and Contradictions and annotate those passages.

3) Notice details that come up Again and Again and annotate those passages.

Wait, what are Contrasts and Contradictions?

Contrasts = when the events in the story are different from what we expect in real life

Stop and ask yourself why the author might be having the characters do something so different from what we expect in life, and capture your thinking in the bubble. Possible theme topics?

Contradictions = when the character is acting/speaking differently from how they were acting/speaking earlier in the story.

Stop and ask yourself why the author might be showing this difference. What is changing? Why is this changing/what is causing this change? Possible theme topics?

Wait, how do I annotate again?

Wait, what do you mean notice what comes up again and again?

When you see ANYTHING repeated in a story more than once, it is important! Repetition makes things stand out.

When you notice this: STOP. THINK. ANNOTATE. Highlight the text, and ask yourself, “Why is the author bringing this up more than once? Why is it so important?” Then, capture your thinking about the questions in the margins using the “Comment” tool.