At the beginning of our first class we'll explore how to consider theoretical readings in ways that are personally meaningful. As Kate Turabian recommends: “When you take notes on a source thoughtfully, you engage not just is words and ideas, but its implications, consequences, shortcoming, and new possibilities. Engage you source as if its writing were sitting with you, eager for a conversation.”
Notes on Taking Notes
Read the text twice.
1. Read the text first to understand what the writer is saying. Look for:
What was the writer’s question
What are their arguments
What was the context that caused the question
2. Read the text a second time critically:
Look for your own questions
Look for statements/argument with which you agree or disagree.
Write an annotation of the text
After the reading make an annotation for yourself about the text so that it’s useful and meaningful for you. Think “book review.”
1. Describe objectively what was the text about (summary notes)
2. In your voice and from your own point of view, discuss one of the following:
The usefulness of the reading
Limitations of the reading
Who the audience was for this reading originally
What you think about the conclusions the writer drew
Your reaction overall
The strengths and weaknesses of the arguments and ideas
How the item contributes to your own interests and work as a designer/artist
Sources
Kate L. Turabian, “Engaging Sources,” A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press) 2007
Download Engaging_Sources.pdf
Handout for Research Workshop conducted in January 2008 by Coco Halverson, “MFA Research Methods: Writing Critical Annotations”
