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To Kill a Mockingbird
Annotation Guide
Use the following guide for annotating your assigned novels and adapt for short stories
and other forms of literature. Write notes in the margins, highlight, and/or use sticky
notes. The purpose of annotating is to “get close” to the reading. Be consistent. If you
follow these steps, you can expect to get the full experience out of reading.
1. Character List- Create a list of characters on a piece of paper that you keep in
the front of your book. (This can also be done on your book cover). As you are
introduced to a character, write down the character, a short description, and pages
of textual evidence that you find of characterization. You may use the list below
to guide you in discovering the important characters. Remember characterization
can be direct or indirect. It can be something the character says or does, or it can
be the way others treat the character or what they say about the character.
*Highlight this textual evidence in the novel in pink as you find it.*
In order to find textual evidence and draw conclusions about each character on your list,
ask yourself:
A. What are some facts you know about the character?
B. How do you see the character?
C. How does this character affect the story?
D. What life lessons can we learn from this character?
To Kill a Mockingbird List of Important Characters:
- Jean Louise “Scout” Finch - Miss Maudie Atkinson - Tom Robinson
- Atticus Finch - Aunt Alexandria - Link Deas
- Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch - Mayella Ewell - Mrs. Henry
- Arthur “Boo” Radley’ - Bob Ewell - Nathan Radley
- Charles Baker “Dill” Harris - Mrs. Dubose - Heck Tate
- Mr. Underwood - Mr. Dolphus Raymond - Walter Cunningham
- Walter Cunningham, Jr. - Burris Ewell - Zeebo
- Tim Johnson - Judge John Taylor - Uncle Jack
- Miss Caroline Fischer - Mr. Avery - Mrs. Merriweather
- Reverend Sykes - Stephanie Crawford
Plot Analysis-Use post-it notes (color of choice) to mark different elements of the
novel’s plot. You should include the Exposition, Inciting Incident, Conflicts, Climax,
Resolution, and Point of View.
A. How does the plot element affect the story?
Author’s Background-Use the back inside cover or a piece of paper that you keep in the
back of the novel to make brief notes on the author’s life. On this list, note any
connections that you find in the novel and the textual evidence to support it. Use the
information you gathered from your research of the author before we started reading to
help you.
*Highlight this textual evidence in orange in the novel as you find it.*
In order to find textual evidence that supports the author’s point of view, ask yourself:
A. What are some facts about the author’s life?
B. Can I draw any connections between the author’s life and the story?
C. What point could the author be making with the story that is relevant to his/her
life?
Vocabulary- Choose a color for vocabulary. Write a brief definition in the margin of the
text where your word is found. Use the attached vocabulary list as a guide as to which
words to find.
*Highlight words from the vocabulary list and words that are new to you in green as
you read.*
Setting: You will want to be sure to keep track of any descriptions, happenings, or
behaviors that are indicative of the story’s setting. Keep in mind the research you did
over Alabama. Underline in your book anything that exemplifies Alabama during
the 1930s. You will also want to ask yourself:
A. What significance does this have to the story?
B. Can I draw any connections between the setting and the real place/time
period?
Figurative Language- You will want to pay special attention to the many examples
figurative language in the novel. You will want to look for examples of similes,
metaphors, allusions, euphemisms, irony, and symbols. As you highlight an example,
label what type of figurative language and its possible meaning in the margin. Remember
to ask yourself:
*Highlight examples of figurative language in blue as you find them.*
A. What type of figurative language is it?
B. How does it affect the story?
Imagery- Use a highlighter to highlight examples of imagery as you find them.
Remember that Imagery is vivid descriptive details used figuratively. Consider the
following as you discover Imagery:
*Highlight examples of Imagery in yellow.*
A. What picture is created in your mind by the imagery?
B. What sense does it evoke?
C. How does the imagery affect the story?
Themes- As you read through the novel, you will discover several themes emerging.
Below is a list of issues that are addressed in the novel that will serve as a guide to
discovering the novel’s true themes and eventually help you create thematic statements.
As you read, look for quotes, incidents, characters, etc. that exemplify or opine upon
these issues. You will want to look for things that offer insight into the author’s point of
view on these issues. Also, pay close attention to the novel’s protagonists and
antagonists. Where do they fall in relation to these subjects?
*Highlight any textual evidence that you find that present the issues outlined below
in purple.*
List of issues addressed in To Kill a Mockingbird
- Racism/Prejudice - The Court System - Treatment of Others
- Preconceived Notions - Education - Hypocrisy
- Trials (as in “personal struggles”) - Parent/Child Relationships
- Injustice - Motivations - Coming of Age
Then, ask yourself:
A. How are these issues portrayed throughout the novel?
B. What life meanings are brought to our attention using the novel’s stance
on these issues?
C. What is the author saying about _________?
