Annotating FICTION
with VIVA CAPS
V = Visualization
Draw a quick sketch of the action or images
from the text. It doesn’t need to be fancy; it
just needs to help you understand what you
just read.
I = Inferencing
Make an inference when you think you can
read between the lines. Consider what is
being said, and what is actually meant.
Make observations about how characters
interact with one another. Think about the
setting, mood, and tone of the writing. Jot
your inferences in the margin of the text, and
begin each with “I think,” “I feel,” “I
believe” etc.
The Ladder of Inference
V = Vocabulary
Underline any words,
allusions, or people of
which you are unsure.
You will need to look
these up. Please be sure
to underline anything
that you seem unsure
about; it will only help
you more while you
read!
A = Admitting Confusion
Indicate where you are
confused by placing a
question mark in the
margin of the text. Once
you are no longer
confused, write OK in
the margin. Remember,
it is normal to feel
confused when you
read. Part of becoming
a better reader is being
able to reflect on this
confusion and learn
ways to “fix” your
comprehension.
C = Connections
Make a connection between
yourself and the book, between
this book and another you have
read, or between the book and
the world. Make your
connections AUTHENTIC. It is
of NO BENEFIT to you to make
false connections. Identify
connections by using an
exclamation point (!) to indicate
a strong, emotional response.
Then label each as either PC =
personal connection, LC =
literary connection, and WC =
world connection.
A = Ask and Argue
Stop and ask questions
where you have them.
These can be things you
wonder about, or
clarification questions.
Stop and argue with the
text when you don’t
agree with something the
characters do or the
author writes. Write a
AA along with your
questions in the margin
of the text.
P = Predictions
Make a prediction about
what might happen next in
the text. Consider places
that you think you see
foreshadowing. Think
about what a character’s
decisions might be. Also,
be sure to take note of the
title of the book and the
title of the chapters; these
might be clues about
things to come! Precede
each prediction with a .
S = Summarizing
After reading a paragraph or
so, stop and summarize
what you have just read.
These are quick notes to
yourself to help you to
remember what you have
read and to reflect on your
reading. Each summary
should be written in the
margin of the text and
identified with a (S).