Annotation involves writing in the book,(or using Post-It notes) engaging the author in conversation, questioning, and clarifying main points. The following supplies make annotating easy Annotation of a Text

Supplies Post-it Notes: If the book belongs to a school, library, or someone else, use Post-it notes. Highlighter: Yellow works best. Yellow highlighters emphasize without distracting. Pencil: Write notes in the margins. Pencil is easy to erase.

Where to start: Read the title and make a prediction about what the piece will be about. Write it down before you even begin. Number the paragraphs Read through one time– just read. Go back to the beginning and begin your annotation.

How to Annotate: Left MarginsIn-TextRight Margins Identify introduction Define issue/problem Identify author’s main argument Author’s support/examples Identify conclusion Identify Ethos, Pathos, Logos Circle unfamiliar words to define Underline with purpose and sparingly Note loaded language, both positive and negative Color code evidence or claims (Ethos, Pathos, Logos) Personal reactions Questions Express surprise Disagree with the author Elaborate on ideas in the text Note moments of confusion

When you are done annotating: Subject: The topic of the piece of writing Occasion: The time and the place of the piece; the context that prompted the writing. Audience: The group of readers to whom this piece is directed Purpose: The reason behind the text Speaker: The voice that tells the story Tone: The attitude of the author

Subject While reading the text, determine the SUBJECT OF THE TEXT. Ask yourself: What is this piece of writing about? What topic(s) does it concern? Why does it matter? Are they writing about the war in Iraq? A new law that just passed? A hot, new celebrity?

Occasion While reading, it’s important to determine WHAT EVENT(s) INFLUENCED THE TEXT. Why do we write? Why does it matter? Do we just write about anything and everything, or are we influenced to write? Ask yourself: Why is this person writing this text now? What major event or occurrence inspired this piece of writing? Are they writing in response to a new law? An ongoing war? A celebrity mishap? A major world crisis?

Audience While reading the text, it is important to determine WHO THE INTENDED AUDIENCE IS. Don’t think an article on the health risks of elementary school cafeteria food is an article for just anyone. Who could an article like that be targeting? Ask yourself: Who is the intended audience for this text? Why write to this specific audience? Why cant a piece of writing be meant for EVERYBODY? Is the audience the financial experts of the business world? Stay-at-home mothers? College students? Athletes?

Purpose While reading the text, it is necessary to understand the PURPOSE OF THE TEXT. Ask yourself: What’s the purpose of the writing? What is it intended to do? What is the speaker hoping to achieve? Is there a goal? What doe the author want me TO DO or TO BELIEVE? Are they trying to influence consumers to buy a certain product? Vote for a specific politician? Save their money by investing? Send their kids to private school?

Speaker While reading the text, ask yourself this major question: WHO IS SPEAKING? Don’t confuse the author with the speaker. They are two different voices; sometimes two different personas. For example, Harper Lee is the author of TKAM, but Scout is the speaker. Ask yourself: What’s the point of a speaker? Why do we care who is speaking? How does it influence the text? How does it influence the reader? Who is speaking to the reader? Is it an economist? A fashion guru? A teacher? A lawmaker?

Tone While reading the text, one of the most important questions is WHAT’S THE TONE OF THE TEXT? How is the author saying what he’s saying? What is his attitude towards the subject? Towards the audience? Is he angry? Biased? Persuasive? Neutral? Sarcastic?