1. Bell Work: Answer the following in 3 sentences each.
1. What is the purpose of reading literature?
2. What is the purpose of deep (close) reading of a text? How do you deeply read a text?

2. A How To:
Annotate Texts

3. Step One: Reading the text
Most reading is skimmed
When you need to learn, reading requires close attention
Reading with close attention requires time and effort
Annotating the text is a helpful tool for understanding

4. Step Two: Gather Supplies
You will need a few supplies for good annotating. Use what works for you:
Post-it notes
Highlighters in multiple colors
Pens in multiple colors
Pencils
Flags
Notebook

5. Step Three: Annotate
General principles for good annotating to keep in mind
Write marginal notes in the text
Taking Notes is not just summarizing. Ask questions and write and comments
Close reading takes time
Taking time as you read will save you time and anxiety later as you discuss & write about the text

6. Previewing: Before You Annotate
Find a quiet place with no distractions (this means no music, cell 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

7. Previewing: Before You Annotate
In what was it published?
Would you be more likely to believe “Living Mermaids: An Amazing Discovery” if it were published in Scientific American or The National Enquirer?
Indicates for whom it was written
When was it published?
If it’s about mermaids, will you find it more reliable if written in 1988 or 1788?

8. Annotation Guidelines
Read with a pen or pencil in hand.
Helps you focus and stay alert.
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
Look for patterns
What ideas do you see repeated?
What connections can you draw between different concepts?

9. Annotation Guidelines
Create your own code / symbols, cont.
Mark
main idea
supporting details
key terms
cause and effect
explanations
(Now brainstorm key concepts with your table)
Underline/highlight – CAUTION: Use this sparingly.
Underline/highlight only a few words.
Never underline an entire passage.
At the end of each chapter, bullet-point the key events as a summary or write a short summary.

10. Annotation Guidelines
Have a CONVERSATION with the text. Talk back to it.
Take your time as you begin a new text.
Ask yourself many questions as you begin:
How does this relate to your everyday experience?
What formula will help me solve this problem?
Try to make a quick note on the top of each page indicating the most important point there.
Ask questions (essential to active reading).
Use question marks.
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.

11. Annotation Guidelines
Line through unknown vocab
Underline and write connections
Box surprising and intriguing statements
Wiggle underline comments you need to be clarified
Paraphrase entire text in one sentence
Draw a line to connect related words
Circle names
Circle imagery (the 5 senses)
Identify the tone of important words

12. Example
What do you notice about these notes?

13. Example
What is being indicated in red ink?

14. Practice
Now we are going to practice annotating a text as a class. For homework, you will be annotating on your own.