How To Take Notes in Your Book Annotating Texts How To Take Notes in Your Book

I contend, quite bluntly, that marking up a book is not an act of mutilation but of love. Mortimer J. Adler

Rationale for Annotation According to Porter-O’Donnell, this “writing-to-learn” strategy helps teach reading as a process. changes comprehension. slows down the reading. promotes more active reading. helps improve writing.

Categories of Text Response Making predictions Summarizing Asking questions Stating opinions Studying the author’s craft Making connections Looking for patterns Reflecting on content or the reading process

Annotations: An Overview Not just one “right” way to annotate (take notes) as you read General principles for good annotating: Write marginal notes in the text Taking Notes is not just summarizing. (Ask questions and write comments.) Close reading takes time Taking time as you read will save you time and anxiety later as you discuss & write about the text

Previewing: Before You Annotate Find a quiet place with no distractions (this means no music, phone, or TV) Look at the title Usually includes author’s subject or method Who is the author? What you already know helps you guess something about the writing If biographical sketch is provided, read it Adapted from The Bedford Reader and The Little, Brown Reader Adaptation by Laura Hayes

Annotation Guidelines Read with a pen or pencil in hand. Helps you focus and stay alert. Create your own code / symbols & be CONSISTENT with your system. Abbreviate using things such as brackets, stars, exclamation points Keep a list of characters & their key traits A good place: inside cover of the book Add brief notes to your lists as you read

Suggested Annotation Marks DURING READING Mark in the text: Characters (who) ○ When (setting) □ Where (setting) □ Vocabulary (highlight) Important information Write in the margins: Summarize Make predictions Formulate opinions Make connections Ask questions Analyze the author's craft Write reflections/reactions/comments Look for patterns/repetitions (Adapted from Porter-O’Donnell)

Annotation Guidelines Underline/highlight – CAUTION: Use this sparingly. Underline/highlight only a few words. Never underline an entire passage. Bullet-point the key events as a summary or write a short summary.

Annotation Guidelines Have a CONVERSATION with the text. Talk back to it. Ask questions (essential to active reading). Be alert to what puzzles you. Good readers do not zip along without stopping to monitor their comprehension. They stop to think and to note what they don’t understand. Write down questions you would like to discuss. Your annotations must include comments as evidence of thinking!

Annotation Guidelines Of course, you should always pay attention to VOCABULARY. Mark new words. Try to determine meaning from the context. If you are really puzzled by a word, look it up.

READY, SET, ANNOTATE …