Introduction to Annotating
What is Annotating? Marking up a text as you read… it’s like writing -thoughts -questions -comments you have as you read.
Why Annotate? Annotations make it easy to find important information quickly They help us interact with a text through comments, questions, connections, or other reactions that occur to you as you read They help you prepare to analyze and write about a text (story, article, poem…)
Earnest Hemingway Ernest Hemingway was having lunch with a number of writers and claimed that he could write a short story that was only six words long. Hemingway told each of them to put ten dollars in the middle of the table; if he was wrong, he said, he’d match it. If he was right, he would keep all the money. He quickly wrote six words down on a napkin and passed it around. The words were:
FOR SALE; BABY SHOES, NEVER WORN. Practice Annotating FOR SALE; BABY SHOES, NEVER WORN.
Annotating Steps 1. Number the Paragraphs Number each paragraph so you can help us follow you when you read from the text during our discussions. 2. Circle Circle confusing phrases or ideas. Don’t forget to write notes next to whatever your circle! 3. Think What do you already know about this topic? Why are you reading this article? What are you being asked to do with this information? Include these thoughts in your notes as you annotate.
Annotating Steps 4. Box Box significant/important details and words you find especially powerful. 5. Highlight or Underline Highlight or underline sections of the text that you may want to quote in your writing. -Underline or highlight key words, phrases, or sentences. Write what you find significant about this part of the text in the margin. -Highlight the actions and reactions of characters that seem especially revealing. Write out to the side what character traits are being revealed. -Highlight any significant shifts in the plot.
Annotating Steps 6. Work in the Margins Ask a question that you have on the reading. Title a paragraph in the margin with a phrase that summarizes its subject. Draw charts, illustrations, or anything else that helps you understand the reading. Make connections with other texts you’ve read. Answer what you circled. 7. Summarize At the end of each piece of literature, write a brief summary.
Independently: Annotate: Life is Mostly Froth and Bubble by A.L. Gordon Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone; Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.
Key Words, Important Phrases What is FROTH? What is BUBBLE? What does STAND LIKE STONE mean? How do we show KINDNESS? How would we have COURAGE? What do you think this poem means???
To You, by Karla Kuskin
Summary - And who is YOU?