How to use Tailored Texts
Here is a quick guide to using Tailored Texts - if you have any questions please contact us!
General
The text is on the left hand side whilst all entries sit on the right hand side. It is possible to make/read three different types of entry linked to a selection of the text (definition, grammar and analysis) as well as edit a wiki which allows users to directly reference general/thematic information. If you wish to comment on an existing entry, users can also add a comment without having to create an entry.
It is also possible to ask a question about the text which will appear alongside other entries as well as on a separate question page. Finally, users who wish to study together can create a project.
The text is always in its original language. Notes, on the other hand, can be written in a number of languages.
How to read an entry
On the left hand side, text about which an entry has been written will be highlighted. It is only possible to see one type of entry at any one time. Clicking on one of the tabs at the top of the left hand side will change the type of entry.
Upon hovering over a highlighted selection of the text on the left hand side, the relevant entry will scroll into view and flash. Move the mouse over the entry to read it in its entirety.
It is possible to navigate between entries by clicking on the arrows.
How to make an entry
Make a selection of text on the left hand side (this can be one single selection, or several separate selections on different parts of same chapter). Click . On the right hand side, an entry form will appear. Write your entry and click "Post".
See here for some important information about referencing.
Here is our advice on the kind of things that could be written under each tab.
Definitions
What does the word mean in the context of the text? There might be several possible answers. You might reference a full translation. Also, is it an unusual usage of the word? E.g. Is it a regional, an antiquated or an invented word? Does it have connotations? Do you know something of interest about the word/phrase? E.g. its history or its importance to the author. Finally, do you know of any more meanings of the word which don’t apply in this context but which would be vital for a language-learner to know?
Grammar
Is the selection an example of a particularly difficult grammatical element? Why does the author use the tense he does, and not another? Is the syntax a challenge? Does the author display shrewd grammatical manipulation, or is he lazy about it?
Analysis
Does the author make a reference to something which needs explanation/can be linked to? Is there something in the text which can be related to the author's life, another book of the author, a similar writer or the genre or period in which it was written? Are there some useful resources online which could explain it all?
Overlapping entries
If there are two or more entries which share a part of the text in common, the highlight of that text will be darker.
Note: if it is exactly the same selection, this will not be the case. In that case, we are talking about a competing entry (see next point).
Competing entries
If a user has decided to write an entry on an identical part of the text which another entry is attached to, this entry will be classified as a "competing entry." Where there is more than one entry, there will be a golden label attached to the top-rated entry.
To see all competing entries, hover over the top-rated entry and click "View X other entries".
Rating of entries
It is possible to rate the different entries so that the best entry may be most visible to users. The "top entry" will sit on the main page. To rate, hover over the 5 stars and give the entry a score.
Comments
Comments can be written under any entry. Comments are for general observations and social interaction.
Note: comments do not serve as a competing entry. If a user has an improvement to suggest on an entry and believes that the improvement is sufficiently important to be displayed on the right hand side of the text, he should create a new entry which will compete with the original.
Note: Comments underneath unresolved questions are not like other comments. They can be chosen as a response.
Wiki
The wiki is for collating disparate information which is spread out over the entire text and/or for writing generally or thematically about the work whilst allowing the text to be directly referenced.
Providing evidence for claims is an essential part of the wiki process and so it is possible to "reference" the text. Once editing the wiki, select the relevant part of the text and click . This will insert a hyperlink into the wiki.
Support materials
The support materials are there to help you in the event that you don’t know what something in the text means and there is no entry. Dictionaries will be housed inside the support materials tab as well as links to any translations and reference materials available. Click on to access the support materials.
Search
You may search for any word within the text. Click on the search button to activate the search bar.
Bookmarks
Add a bookmark at any time when you are reading by clicking on the bookmark button . To manage your bookmarks, click on the Bookmarks link
in the header bar.
Filtering
By clicking on the Filter button it is possible to filter entries so that you can only see entries written by either yourself, members of a specific project group, or users of a certain level.
Changing the language of entries
In the top right corner there is a drop down menu to change the language of the entries.
Questions
Questions are shown in purple. It is possible to navigate between questions by clicking on the arrows .
Questions are categorised like normal entries, that is to say as either "definition", "grammar" or "analysis" questions. To add an entry, select some text and click .
Once the question has been asked, people may answer by following the same procedure as adding a comment on a normal entry. The original poster will have the option to accept an answer.
All unanswered questions asked across the site are brought together on the Questions page. It was designed to allow users who are not reading the text about which the question has been asked to still offer support to their fellow Tailored Texts users. Answering questions on this page works in exactly the same manner as answering a question from within the original text.
Projects
Projects are designed to allow groups of people to come together with a shared aim and accomplish this as a group with a shared identity on the site.
To create a project, go to the header bar and select Projects > Create a project. Once you have created a project, you must:
- Add a text. Go to the catalogue and locate the text you wish to add to your project. Use the dropdown
to select the project and the language you will be making entries in.
- Invite members. A project is inactive until it has at least 2 members. You may invite other users from the site or people who are not yet members (via email) using the invite box on your project page.
You may then post as a "project member" by accessing the text via the project page, and you can optionally filter the entries so that you only see your project’s own entries.