Traveling Annotation (TA)

Below I provide a detailed explanation of the Traveling Annotation assignment. For any further questions use the "Submit Assignment Questions" found in course navigation.

Objectives

Practice close reading and develop annotation strategies
Engage with complex theoretical texts
Understand how scholarly conversations evolve
Practice responding to theory by positioning yourself within it

IN PART ONE

As a group, you will collaborate to closely annotate a provided article.

Create an Annotation Key- Identify 3–5 types of annotations you’ll use consistently (e.g., summary, critique, question, theoretical connection). Create an annotation key (so nongroup members will be able to understand your annotations) that you all will use consistently throughout the document.

Annotate the Article - This includes comments (critiques/questions/etc.) and highlights/underlines/etc. (this is where your key is relevant)

You can use any software to do this (this may be sharing a .pdf in adobe acrobat and annotating independently and responding to each others comments and annotations and resolving at a later date or it may be a number of Zoom calls and someone annotates the group's .pdf during the calls as you read together or each group member annotates a section and others respond and comment on their annotations, completely up to you all)

Write a Contextual Summary (approximately 400-600 words)-

After completing all reading and annotation, group write a contextual summary that does the following:

Summarize the article’s main arguments and key ideas (your summary should differ from, not be a rewrite of, the abstract)
Explain your annotations (what you focused on and why) (this is not the annotation key)
Reflect on what stood out, what confused you, or what connections you made to course lectures and other course readings
Your group can decide how to approach this (there can be one primary writer and others help with editing and comments or you all can schedule a Zoom and write together, or something in between completely up to you all)
Attach the contextual summary to the end of the article (you can find tutorials on Youtube if you are unsure about how to do this)
In your pt2 assignment you should briefly discuss the writing process (do not use this contextual summary to explain the division of labor)

You can think of this contextual summary as a way to formally summarize your groups conversations during the annotation period.

IN PART TWO

After completing all reading and annotation, reread the article (alongside all the new annotations and summaries) you started with and individually write a response essay that enters the ongoing academic conversation. This is your opportunity to step into the role of a scholar contributing your own voice to a multi-layered discussion.

Your individual response should include:

Tracing the Conversation

- Briefly explain how the article’s interpretation evolved through your group’s annotations and summaries
- Highlight at least one point of agreement and one interpretive tension between group members
- Reflect on how your understanding built upon or differed from others'

Testing Theory or Ideas Across Texts

Use at least one of the articles you peer reviewed to apply, test, or complicate a key idea in the article you’re focusing on
Aim to create meaningful dialogue between texts- not just comparisons, but actual theoretical engagement (imagine you're moderating a conversation/debate between the authors)

Adding Your Voice

- Offer your own original insight, interpretation, or critique
- Consider what the article is missing, what should be emphasized, or what deserves to be challenged
- Position yourself within the conversation and make a clear contribution (imagine you are now on the panel you moderated in Testing)

*Include a brief discussion of how your group decided to, and divided responsibility to, annotate and group write the contextual summary. This is not included in the word count so feel free to be as specific or quick as you need; basically, this is where you air grievances or brag on your other group members.

Satisfactory Rubric for Final Task

The Response

Tracing the Conversation-Clearly identifies how annotations shaped understanding; highlights interpretive differences and agreements
Cross-Text Theoretical Engagement-Thoughtfully applies or challenges a concept from another article to deepen understanding of the chosen article
Original Contribution-Offers a clear, well-reasoned personal insight or critique; shows an ability to enter the conversation with intention
Clarity and Organization-Writing is focused, well-structured, and easy to follow; transitions help guide the reader

Annotation and Summary Completion
All previous tasks are completed and submitted for all article, including annotations, keys, peer reviews and summaries.

Peer Review

After submission, each group member will be assigned two other group annotations to review. You’ll be expected to provide constructive, thoughtful feedback on both the annotations and the summary, the article(s) you review should be used to write your final task response.

Submission Guidelines

Your submission should be a single .pdf file that includes all parts of part one in the order listed below:

Single Page with annotation Key and Group Contextual Summary (approx. 400-600 words)
Group annotated article

Only one group member needs to submit the .pdf, after, all group members will receive a submission confirmation when the assignment is uploaded. Uploading files after the due date (even if one was submitted before) will result in a late penalty.

BEWARE

This assignment group is worth 30% of your final grade.

~ You will complete this assignment type twice. Group members are randomly assigned so there's a chance you may not work with the same group members.

~ Articles are posted to group homepage (see video below)

~ Both TAs are worth 15 points, however, the breakdown of points differs

Traveling Annotation #1

Group Annotation: Due Thursday, October 2nd is worth 10pts (or 67% of this assignments grade)

Individual Contribution: Due Tuesday, October 14th is worth 5pts (or 33% of this assignments grade)

You are responsible for peer reviewing, DO NOT RUSH THROUGH THE ASSIGNMENT, but the earlier you submit the earlier others are able to peer review/read your group's annotations and then start on their individual essay response.

Traveling Annotation #2

Group Annotation: Due Thursday, November 20th is worth 8pts (or 53% of this assignments grade)

Individual Contribution: Due Tuesday, December 2nd is worth 7pts (or 47% of this assignments grade)

Note the difference, while both TA #1 and #2 should follow guidelines, the points reflect the scholarly growth you should be making throughout the semester. TA#1 emphasizes group collaboration, TA#2 emphasizes your ability to make scholarly connections.