One of our very first assignments was to thoughtfully read and annotate the work by Sherry Turkle, The Empathy Diaries. Included in this page is an example of my annotation. My process was to annotate while I actively read. I was able to catch significant parts and give my own comments on it in real time. Being that it was the very first time annotating in the class, I felt that I highlighted everything, almost having a too critical approach. My process was to then turn back and underline with different markers what actually stood out and what I could use in my work as evidence. As for selecting evidence from my peers during project three, I had an interesting time figuring my way out. I originally felt set on using Peyton and James as evidence, but as I started writing and my thesis became more developed, I turned back to my peers’ work and used Kaia and Peyton instead. Below is an excerpt from my journal #25, which was used for my chosen work sample project three, and then a revised excerpt after going back. 

“I will be using Peyton and James which I believe have great quotes for continuing my thesis on technology. I believe many have struggled with attachment and attention span issues due to screens but how much do we accept as normal now that it’s so deep into our lifestyle.”  April 4th

“I will now be using Peyton and Kaia as my sources due to further analysis of their works. Kaia blends much better with Peytons and thus delivers my thesis more accurately than using James’ work.” April 7th

Another way I compared my peers’ work was through a Venn diagram. I made several quick notes to help me fully analyze the work and then put them into conversation effectively. I first put Peyton and Kaia together, then Kaia and Turkle, then Peyton and Turkle, etc. I made sure to add my own personal beliefs into conversation with their evidence as well through Venn diagrams. I would consider this an informal response approach of annotating, used only for my personal writing. 

How I decide what to mark is a different process on what I decide to discuss. I find that marking as much as possible, over analyzing, and for example; squeezing the lemon(source) until there’s nothing left is my approach to marking my work. After I’ve done that, I will then pick what I decide to discuss. I found that my first picks of evidence usually never are the same ones in my final draft. This is because I go back and make sure the evidence I provide to readers illustrates perfectly the message I’m trying to give. During my analyses of the work while writing is another area where I go back to pick and choose the exact words I want. The use of ellipsis in my chosen work sample is great evidence of my ability to extend an idea in text, because I can then draw relationships and challenge the source’s ideas exactly how I want to in my writing. 

Overall, critically reading and annotating work helped me provide the best evidence in my work, thus leading me to be able to draw relationships and clearly put two authors into conversation, even bringing myself into the picture to concisely state “They say I say.”