54321 Annotation

Annotation

HOW and WHY

1.Annotation
Definition: to make notes on something

Discuss: What is something people use
their notes app for?

When we read a text in English Class, why do we ANNOTATE?

•To mark a specific spot to return to

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•To make connections to something we know

•To show what we do & don’t understand

•To prepare for discussions

•To help it stick in our brains

•To slow you down and help you process what you’re reading

•To organize your “next steps” (look up a definition, research a topic, etc.)

•To identify literary elements like metaphors, imagery, or symbols

•To make it make sense to YOU

How to Annotate any text

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54321 Annotation Strategy

Keep this bookmark in your
StudySync workbook to help you
remember!

5- HIghlight or underline
FIVE main ideas

•What is most important?

•What should I remember?

•What do I want to re-read if I skim
through this page again?

•What changes the story?

•What definitions or explanations are
given?

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4- Circle FOUR words that
are unfamiliar to you OR
are important to the text.

•Which words are new to me?

•Which words prevent me from
understanding the whole sentence?

•Which words are key terms in this text?

•Which words appear again and again?

•If possible (or it may sometimes be
required) add the definitions next to the
words.

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3- Ask THREE questions in
the margins.

•Remember the question words: WHO,
WHAT, WHY, WHEN, WHERE, HOW

•Where did you get confused?

•What needs further research or
explanation?

•What question might you need to ask your
teacher?

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2- Make TWO comments in
the margins.

•Make a connection to something you know.

•Tell how you agree or disagree.

•Put it in your own words.

•Add information that you researched.

•Include your own thinking (“I think…” )

•Make a prediction about what will happen.

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1- Write a ONE sentence
summary at the bottom of
the page.

•Overall, what is happening here?

•What is going on?

•Put it in words you understand.

•Include WHO and WHAT is most
important right now.

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Sometimes, we’ll annotate for something specific. For
example, you may need to highlight examples of irony.

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54321

Annotation
Strategy

An extra

focus

explained by
my teacher

WHEN do we annotate?

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★

As you read, if possible, because that’s when the thoughts pop into your
head! Try to capture them.

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At checkpoints. When you pause your reading, review what you just read
and add annotations.

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After reading, revisit the entire text and allow your brain to process
what you’ve read.

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During & after discussions about the text. As you listen to others talk
about their understanding of the text, add additional annotations.

Let’s practice!

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