All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque
Annotations are simply notes about what the student is thinking while reading. In the English department, we ask students to write notes to show an understanding of the elements of literature, such as elements of plot, characterization, setting, vocabulary, and notes about how the author writes, which is called author’s craft. Annotations may also include questions, comments, or personal reactions to the story, but as students of English become more skilled, we expect the annotations to show growth in the technical aspects of literature and writing.
Students are encouraged to purchase their own books and write notes in them; however, we have books available at the school for those who would prefer to use our book and annotate with sticky notes that reflect their thoughts on the pages of the book. Please see the videos that can be found in Student Resources on our web page.
Students should follow the attached annotation rubric and consider the following while reading and annotating:
Main thesis (What is Remarque’s number one message?)
Themes (the messages a writer sends through the novel): the causes and attributes of the lost generation; man’s inhumanity toward man; the horrors of war; and super-nationalism is dangerous
Motifs (abstract ideas or literary devices that support a theme): betrayal, comradeship, nature, pressure of patriotic ideals, carnage/gore; and animal instincts
