Letter to the Class 

Life of Pi ​(Part 1)—Engaged Notetaking  

Dear English 12, 
 
I will be using the Letter to Class, a method of feedback developed by Dr. Todd Finley Ph.D., to provide 
feedback on certain assessments throughout the year. Since the method is ​collective​ (as opposed to 
individual), I can do it in a much shorter period of time, enabling you get quick, targeted feedback that you 
can use to make immediate improvements. I want to make sure that you all have an understanding of the 
texts and are able to identify the elements that we are focusing on for your outline. 
 
As you read over the strengths and weaknesses, please choose at least 2 goals or areas for improvement 
next time, even if your notes were held up as exemplary. In that case, perhaps you want to try a different 
method that looked promising. Remember that an “A” student “Consistently produces exemplary work” 
and “Shows frequent evidence of growth, turning weaknesses to strengths.” Even if this wasn’t a 
particularly strong showing, you have an opportunity to demonstrate evidence of both those statements on 
subsequent attempts. Try to maintain that level from here on out! 
 
Review of the Assignment Expectations 
We wanted you all to take notes that focus on the different stages of the hero’s journey and making 
connections between texts. Make sure that your notes are thoughtful and serve a purpose. These notes are 
meant to help you later on when you are creating your outline.  
 
Evaluation and Evidence 
That said, I saw examples of note-taking that were thorough, thoughtful, and relevant to the types of 
thinking that will serve you well for your paper. I also saw other examples that lacked depth of analysis or 
notes that didn’t really have any reader responses. Notetaking ideally puts you in an excellent position to 
write and talk about the text, making frequent, apt references. Through this feedback, I will highlight the 
promising aspects that deserve further focus, as well as some of the less thoughtful responses that we will 
need to shore up. 
 
Strengths 
Frequent notes (sticky notes method)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thorough, thoughtful analysis: 

 
 
Noticing/attempting to analyze symbolism: 

 
 
Noticing stages of the Hero’s Journey: 
 
 
  

 
 
Making connections: 

 
 
Making predictions: 

 
 
Weaknesses 
Citation information not present or not specific: 
  
 
 
Not taking notes frequently enough: 
 

 
 
No reader response at all: 

 
  
 
Summarizing without any analysis: 

 
Recommendations 
Please choose two or more of the identified strengths and imitate it in your independent reading 
notetaking. 
 
Hope this helps! 
 
Ms. Cobo & Mr. Chiaravalli