Annotations

What is Annotation?

Good readers know that it is nearly impossible to comprehend and retain

larger amounts of text without staying very active in the reading process.
Whether reading paper-based text or digital text, one of the most effective
ways to read actively is through annotation, which means marking and
taking notes in a text in some way.

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Why should I Annotate?

There are two simple and important reasons that good readers
annotate text:
❖ Annotating helps readers comprehend and process text in the
moment.
❖ Annotating helps readers retain and remember information later.
Why follow Annotation

❖ to indicate the author's most important points

❖ to indicate supporting points like examples, reasons, statistics, etc.
❖ to draw connections between ideas
❖ to mark important definitions and terminology
❖ to indicate steps in a process
❖ to help review and remember info when preparing for class discussions &
tests
❖ to "talk back” to the author with personal comments or reactions
❖ to indicate areas that need clarification
The “golden rule” of annotation is that what is important looks
important.

The whole point of marking a text is to make the most important

ideas stand out clearly.
How to Annotate
Making Annotations:

As you work with your text, consider all of the ways that you can connect
with what you are reading. Here are some suggestions that will help you
with your annotations:

● Define words or slang; make the words real with examples from your
experiences; explore why the author would have used a particular
word or phrase.
● Make connections to other parts of the book. Feel free to use direct
quotes from the book.
● Make connections to other texts you have read or seen, including:
❖ Movies
❖ Comic books/graphic novels
❖ News events
❖ Other books, stories, plays, songs, or poems
● Draw a picture when a visual connection is appropriate.
● Re-write, paraphrase, or summarize a particularly difficult passage or
moment.
● Make meaningful connections to your own life experiences.

● Describe a new perspective you may now have.

● Explain the historical context or traditions/social customs that are
used in the passage.
● Offer an analysis or interpretation of what is happening in the text.
● Point out and discuss literary techniques that the author is using.
Example:
Thank you!!