MUSIC 121: Writing about Music – Jazz
Weekly Annotation Assignment
Due every Monday at 6 PM

What is an annotation?
An annotation is a written comment, derived from the Latin annotationem (noun of action from annotare, meaning “to observe” or “remark”). It involves marking or noting important ideas and thoughts. Annotations help you dive deeper into texts and engage actively with what you’re reading.

Purpose of this Assignment:
This weekly assignment is designed to enhance your skills in active reading, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. You’ll be using Hypothes.is, a digital annotation tool, to engage with course readings. By the end of the semester, you’ll be better equipped to analyze texts, make connections between ideas, and contribute thoughtfully to class discussions.

About Hypothes.is:
Hypothes.is is a free, open-source platform for annotating digital texts. You can highlight key points, leave comments, and respond to your peers’ annotations. This transforms the text into a dynamic, collaborative conversation.

How to Complete the Assignment:
Each week, you have two options for completing your annotation:

1. Annotate the assigned reading:
   • Read the text carefully, paying attention to the author’s language, and connect your annotations to course themes and lectures.
   • Highlight a passage and write a comment. Focus on key ideas, arguments, or evidence that either resonate with you or challenge you. You can frame your comments as:
     • Questions: Pose thought-provoking or clarifying questions. Open-ended questions that spark class discussion are encouraged.
     • Connections: Link the text to other readings, class discussions, or lectures.
     • Clarifications: Define terms or phrases that may be unfamiliar.
2. Respond to a classmate’s annotation:
   • You may choose to reply to a peer’s annotation. When replying, follow these guidelines:
     • Agree and Add: If you agree with your classmate’s response and have something to add, start with “Yes, and…” and continue with your additional insight.
     • Agree, but Offer a Different Observation: If you mostly agree but want to share a different perspective or ask a question, start with “Yes, but…” or “Yes, but what about…?”
     • Disagree with Explanation: If you don’t agree with the interpretation, or feel the evidence is not aligned with the text, start with “Not exactly, but instead…” and provide specific examples to support your view.

Important Tips:

• The reading load is approximately 30 pages per week, which should take you around three hours to complete. Take your time reading.
• Always check your annotation for clarity and coherence before posting.

Goal:
The main goal is to engage meaningfully with the material and with your peers, contributing to a richer class experience and a deeper understanding of the text. A secondary goal is to get you in the habit of writing regularly.

Grading:

This is a low-stakes assignment. As long as you write 50-90 words per annotation and display an effort to thoughtfully engage with the reading, you will automatically earn the maximum of three points. Thoughtful engagement could mean a lot of things, so have fun with it and get creative.

Download: Music 121 weekly annotation assignment