1 of 19

A lesson inspired by the

Revolution in Books NEH Summer Institute for Higher Education Faculty

and

The Marvin & Sybil Weiner Spirit of America Collection

at Florida Atlantic University

Marginal Discourse

Some notes on writing while reading

2 of 19

In this lesson you will

Learn what marginalia are
Observe and define the different forms marginalia can take and have taken
Consider the ways marginalia relate to the reading experience
Consider the kinds of marginalia you might make in your own texts

3 of 19

marginalia: marks made in the margins (i.e. the outer borders) of a book page or other document

Marginalia can be in print or composed by hand.

From Marginalia: Readers Writing in Books by H.J. Jackson:

glosses – definitions or explanations of difficult words

scholia – introduction of material from outside the text

personal messages to the author or the reader

matters of self-expression

4 of 19

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

5 of 19

Troilus and Cressida (The Pelican Shakespeare), 2000

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

6 of 19

“An act to make more effectual Provisions for the Prevention of Offences by insane Persons in Ireland” (1838), Weiner Pamphlets - British, Box 42 Folder 13 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

7 of 19

A caveat to the cavaliers: or an Antidote against mistaken cordials: Dedicated to the author of A Cordial for the Cavaliers (1661), Weiner Pamphlets - British, Box 3 Folder 38 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

8 of 19

Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Weiner Collection, PR2838 .A1 1776 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

9 of 19

The Fugees – “Ready or Not”, on Genius.com

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

10 of 19

Jonson, “To the Memory of my beloved, The Author Mr. William Shakespeare” in �Poems Written by Shakespeare, Weiner Collection, PR2841 .A1 1774 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

11 of 19

Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Weiner Collection, PR2838 .A1 1776 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

12 of 19

Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Weiner Collection, PR2838 .A1 1776 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

13 of 19

Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Weiner Collection, PR2838 .A1 1776 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

14 of 19

Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Weiner Collection, PR2838 .A1 1776 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

15 of 19

Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy (1652), Weiner Collection, PR2223 .A1 1652 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

16 of 19

Spenser, The faerie queen ; : The shepheards calendar : together with the other works of England's arch-poët, �Weiner Collection, PR2350 1611 at Florida Atlantic University

glosses

scholia

personal

messages

matters

of self-

expression

17 of 19

Forms of marginalia we have seen

glosses

mini-summaries

identification of poetic devices

explanations of cultural references

commentary

interpretations

noted similarities to other texts (a kind of scholia)

questions

Matters of self expression

proposed corrections
assessments (of characters, speeches)
criticisms
compliments
sketches/doodles

18 of 19

For each of the texts we read, please take marginal notes and/or create your own marginalia while you read.

You can

compose your marginalia in the margins of your (physical) book
compose your marginalia in the margins of your electronic copy (e.g. a PDF) using Notability
compose your marginalia on post-it notes and stick them in your book
compose your marginalia on a separate piece of paper or electronic document (“E.K. style”). Please note that this option will require you to provide some kind of reference for each piece of marginalia you compose.

19 of 19

When we are done reading each text, take pictures or screencaps of the pages from your text with marginalia and upload them to Blackboard.

Your pictures or screencaps should be of the entirety of the page so that I can see your marginalia in relation to the page as a whole.

A written piece of marginalia must be ≥ 3 words in order to be counted.