1. ANNOTATING MATERIAL

2. WHAT IS ANNOTATING? Annotating a text is a way to augment your understanding. It is a fairly pliable skill and therefore difficult to instruct students in. Look for us to reiterate these methods often. Some things to remember: Reading for school is different than reading for pleasure. Reading for school is different than reading for pleasure. Always read with a purpose. Always read with a purpose. Reading is not a solitary activity. Annotating is a way of engaging in a conversation with the author. Reading is not a solitary activity. Annotating is a way of engaging in a conversation with the author. “I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. METHODS OF ANNOTATING DIFFER. Depending on what you are reading, what and how you Annotate will differ. Poetry: This is most like having a conversation with the author. Underline words to lookup (definitions) Circle odd grammatical structures. Write notes in the margins: Questions for the author: “do you mean…” Statements you either agree or disagree with: “no way…” Things you notice about a poem that fits an assignment: “Alliteration” “rhyming…” Fiction: Have a purpose and things to look for. Know what the parts of a story are for and know what part you are in, underline appropriate details. Ask questions make comments to the author and/or characters: “He doesn’t like you…” Focus on characters and details about them. Look for reasons they are doing what they are doing. Non-Fiction: (Textbook Reading) Skim first to get the layout Underline the main idea of each section or paragraph (topic sentences). Underline supporting details. (Things that make the main ideas true) Box definitions. Jot down summaries of key ideas or paragraphs in the margins. (Short hand)

4. THINGS TO REMEMBER… Less is more. Underlining everything is the same as underlining nothing. Less is more. Underlining everything is the same as underlining nothing. Highlighters are not the best for this. Read with a pen or pencil in hand. Highlighters are not the best for this. Read with a pen or pencil in hand. Reading is not a solitary activity, it is a conversation with the author of the text think of it this way. Reading is not a solitary activity, it is a conversation with the author of the text think of it this way. Annotate whatever you can in school, the action of doing this will help you to remember the information. Annotate whatever you can in school, the action of doing this will help you to remember the information.