Passage Annotation Mark 9:14-29
PAGE 1: Liberally annotate the passage.
Circle repeated words or phrases. Not every repeated word or phrase needs to be circled; focus on those that seem significant for understanding the meaning of the passage.
Underline significant verbs. Once again, you don’t need to underline every verb; focus on those that seem significant. Note the tense (past, present, future) and the subject (e.g., God, the author, the audience).
Enumerate lists. If you encounter a list of some kind, number each item in the list in your annotations and consider if there is any significance to the number of items in the list or the way that they are arranged. Does the list build toward the final item in some way? Are items grouped together in some way? Does the list have a logical progression?
Identify contrasts. If the author contrasts two ideas, actions, kinds of people, etc., mark that in your annotations. Write a short description of the contrast in the margin in the space between lines.
Identify clauses that indicate cause, effect, purpose, result, or means. Key words will often help you identify these clauses.
PAGE 2
Write a 200 word analysis of your findings. In your analysis, comment on the insights that you have gained from this close reading exercise. You don’t need to comment on each of the items listed above; instead, focus on what you have found to be most significant and enlightening.
Consider the following kinds of questions:
What repeated words or phrases are important to the passage?
What contrasts are found and developed in your passage?
What are the significant statements of cause, purpose, result, or means found within your passage?
