Lesson 5 | Heed the Commands
Markup Lens: Commands+
We will be using the Commands+ lens for this lesson and the next two that follow. In those lessons we will look for everything the text offers in support of the commands. Presently, however, our aim is to simply identify the commands (whether explicit or implicit) and gather any details that will help us understand their nature and scope. By nature and scope, we mean particularly the who, what, when, and where of the commands. We will explore the why and how in the next lessons.
1. Highlight any commands
- Use the wide highlighter to mark up each command. Aim to keep your markups focused on the essential words and phrases.
- Use a different color for each command. Be alert to the same command being repeated or restated in different words. In such cases, use the same color to markup subsequent instances of the same command.
2. Add a succinct label for each command
- Use the key word(s) you have highlighted as part of your label.
3. Use dot notes to record observations, questions, and other notes
- Focus your notes on a full understanding of the nature and scope of each command.
- What sort of command is this? (direct, appeal/request, implied, example)
- To whom is the original command directed?
- What were their circumstances?
- How do the repeated statements contribute to a more complete understanding?
- Place the note over the highlighted command and not on unmarked phrases so as avoid confusion later when we add markups for the anchors, aims, means, and manner.
