Annotation Targets: Into the Wild
Annotation Guide
While reading, annotation is one of the best ways to interact with the text on a deeper level. Using post-it notes,
annotate your book as you read. Include the following:
 New / challenging vocabulary (3 minimum per chapter)
 Thematic Threads:
1. Allure of the wilderness (NATURE)
2. The relationship of self and society
3. Constructing identity : actions, interests, values, and beliefs
4. Connections between Krakauer and McCandless
 Organization of the book
 Ethos, Pathos, Logos
 Examples of excellent writing: description, diction, syntax
 Krakauer’s Purpose and/or Writing Style
 Your own questions / observations about McCandless, Krakauer, or the story itself
 Significance of the text/quotes at the beginning of the chapters
Author’s Note
 Startling Chris McCandless Information
 Hints about the author’s opinion of Chris McCandless
Chapter One
 Jim Gallien’s perspective on Chris/Alex
 Chris’s level of preparedness
Chapter Two
 Exposition (background information) about the
Stampede Trail
 The discovery of Chris’s body
Chapter Three
 Wayne Westerberg’s perspective on Chris/Alex
 McCandless family background & contrasts with
Westerberg
Chapter Four
 The mystery of the yellow Datsun
 Chris’s feelings about the government and possessions
 The hitchhiking ticket & Hiking adventures
Chapter Five
 Chris vs. Ronald McDonald, aka “authority”
 Charlie’s perspective on Chris/Alex
 Life in the Slabs w/ Jan Burres
Chapter Six
 Ronald Franz’s perspective on Chris/Alex
 Ronald Franz background
 Chris/Alex and his effect on others
Chapter Seven
 Gail Borah’s perspective on Chris/Alex
 Chris’s issues with his father and his sister
Chapter Eight
 Outside readers’ views on Chris McCandless
 Gene Rosellini, John Waterman, and Carl McCunn, aka
the Three Wierdos
Chapter Nine
 Everett Ruess and the possible parallels to Chris
Chapter Ten
 How people in Chris’s life found out about his death
Chapter Eleven
 McCandless family background
 Chris’s social activism in his youth
Chapter Twelve
 Details of Chris’s early adventures across the country
 Conflicting personality traits (of Chris)
 SECRETS and LIES
 Chris’s continues separation from his family
Chapter Thirteen
 Comparisons and contrasts between Chris and Carine
 Familial reactions to Chris’s death
Chapters Fourteen & Fifteen
 Jon Krakauer’s adventure on The Devil’s Thumb and his
connections to Chris
 Why young people do dangerous things
Chapters Sixteen & Seventeen
 Jim Gallien and Chris McCandless, new details
 Chris’s successes & struggles in the wilderness
 Characterization revealed in diary entries
 The moose controversy
 Sir John Franklin and his relation (or not) to Chris
Chapter Eighteen
 Chris’s life lessons learned in the wild
 Cause of death?
 Cabins controversy
Epilogue
 Familial reactions to the site of Chris’s death