Moving Margins

Abstract

Marginalia is the practice of writing notes in the margins of texts as a way to capture ones’ thoughts and feelings about the text during reading. It is the giving in to the impulse, based on what was read, to stop and record a comment. In this manuscript, we make the connection between marginalia and the visceral responses to text felt by one doctoral student (the second author) taking a course examining language as a “place of struggle” (hooks, 2004, p. 153). We also demonstrate how marginalia can be used as a qualitative method to document and investigate the way textual interaction facilitates learning. A found poem developed from the marginalia compiled throughout the semester is shared exemplifying the way a critical analysis of personal marginalia can facilitate awareness of transformative processes and highlighting the margins as a transformative space.

Speaking back from the margins: Participant marginalia in survey and interview research.

“…In considering this question, it might be important to offer a broader characterization of participants who leave marginalia other than Morse's (2005) description of simply being "dissatisfied." Looking at the rich range of examples provided by researchers both in this special section (Fahs, 2016, pp amson, Gooberman-Hill, Woolhead, & Donovan, 2004;Clayton et al, 1999;Galasiński & Kozłowska, 2010;Mallinson, 2002;McHatton & May, 2013;Powel & Clark, 2005;Smith, 2008), participants' motives for leaving marginalia are far more complex than simply being dissatisfied with the survey. For example, in their study of adults with multiple sclerosis, Clayton and colleagues (1999) offered examples of marginalia that signaled participants' investment in the research process and making their experiences clear and relevant to the researcher.…”