Freshman year was my first experience in proper annotation; before that, I only used pens and highlighters to mark my favorite quotes! Although it took a while to adjust to purposeful annotations, I feel it doesn't interrupt the flow of thought if you're constantly thinking about what's being read. Sometimes my notes are just sarcastic comments about individual characters or authors whose actions or opinions upset me, which so happens to be an example of performative literacy in action regarding my willingness to respond honestly.
Depending on the task or subject, my reading performance varies. This is likely due to a lack of sustained focus, or the appropriate effort, required to thoroughly read or annotate a text. My Lord of the Rings book, for example, is full of underlined quotes and references and descriptive scenery notes. Marked in my copy of Fahrenheit 451 are symbolic lines and important plot points directed more towards assignment reading versus pleasure reading. Some of my assignment based nonfiction books, like In the Time of the Butterflies, would go a whole chapter without annotation; this is normally a sign indicating the need to reread the passage to understand it more thoroughly.
I enjoyed reading this assignment! Applying the seven examples to myself was fun and informative. I think what I'll have to keep in mind after reading Blau's article is example seven regarding the "capacity to monitor and direct one's own reading process: metacognitive awareness"(21). Reminding my self to be more aware of my performance and state of mind in relation to every example of performative literacy Sheridan's offered will be imperative if I wish to improve as a reader.
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