ANNOTATION
Critical Reading Strategy
Why annotate?
• How many times have you had to read
something more than once to
comprehend it? How many times
have you found yourself reading the
same line over and over again because
you were thinking of something else
rather than concentrating on what
you were reading?
• We know that to read a short story, a novel, a
newspaper or magazine article, a chapter in a
textbook, etc… can be challenging even for adults.
• We also know that to be able to immediately
understand what we read and answer questions
can be a difficult and time consuming task at
times.
• Everyone, even adults sometimes/often struggle
with comprehension due to a lack of focus or some
other reasons so to improve in this area we are
going to be annotating what we read.
Why Annotate?
• The act of annotating allows (actually
forces) the reader to become actively
involved and focused during the reading /
learning process.
• Annotating targets multiple learning
styles.
• When annotating, we are READING,
THINKING, and WRITING at the same
time.
What exactly is an
annotation?
• First of all, everyone in this room has annotated
in one form or another. Many of you are doing it
right now. For example, when we read our
assigned novels and texts, when we conduct
research for various papers we write, and when
we study for our exams, we highlight, place stars
next to important points, underline, and write
little notes all over. No one really tells us we have
to do that. It was just a strategy that we use to
help us focus and retain what we are reading.
Let’s get started.
• It does not matter what you are reading,
nor what subject area you are reading for,
you should annotate everything.
• Ideally, you should skim through the
assigned reading before engaging in the
annotating process. As you skim, you must
circle or highlight unknown words.
STEP 2:
• BLOCK by drawing a line under each
paragraph from the left side of the
paper all the way to the right side.
Must use blue ink (or another color).
• Define all circled or highlighted
words in the corresponding left
margin.
STEP 3:
• READ QUESTIONS FIRST. You
should look at the questions that you
are being asked to answer. This gives
you hints on what to focus on.
Step 4:
• Read the text.
STEP 5:
• READ TITLE. What does the title
mean? What do you think the story,
article, etc… is about? On the right
hand side of the title, write what you
think this story is about. “I think
this story will be about…” This needs
to be done in any color ink other than
black.
STEP 6:
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Read each blocked paragraph individually, and complete the steps
below.
1. UNDERLINE only the main idea of the paragraph in one color
other than black.
2. WRITE a note in the right margin (block) that corresponds with
the underlined main idea. In other words, write the main idea in
your own words and / or make an inference. (TIP: Ask “so what?”)
If you can answer this, then you understand.) The margin note can
even be a question. The goal is to build up to higher order thinking.
Also, look for and identify any literary devices used. **Margin
notes do not have to be in complete sentences. Bullets are actually
preferred.
Remember: VOCABULARY ON LEFT AND NOTES ON RIGHT.
STEP 7:
After annotating the entire piece, read
margin notes, and write the overall
main idea at the top of the page.
“The main idea of this story was…”
STEP 8:
• ANSWER QUESTIONS. An annotation is never complete
until you have answered questions about what you have read.
Sample questions include:
Author’s purpose? Main idea? Problem/conflict? Why is this
happening? Solution/resolution?
• Answers must contain FACT, SUPPORT, and
ELABORATION. In other words, you must factually answer
the question. You must prove that is the answer by using
support (specific details, blended quote or paraphrased
information) from their reading assignment. For more
advanced levels, you should attempt to elaborate or explain
the connection between the factual answer and the support.
Why use this strategy?
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When you are writing at the same time you are reading, you are
going to remember it. For example, once you have written a “to do”
list, more than likely you do not have to look at the list again.
Since the passage is broken down, you are able to analyze what you
are reading.
When answering questions, you are able to look back at your
margin notes to assist in answering rather than having to search
through the entire passage.
Since you are allowed to write in your LEAP and i-LEAP booklets,
you may use this strategy to help increase your chances of
understanding and answering questions correctly and in the
correct format.
IT WORKS!!!!!!!!
VARIATION:
• When you are annotating something
from a textbook or a book that you
may not write in, you will use sticky
notes. Before removing them from
the text, you will number your notes
in the order that they wrote them.
Then you will place the notes in order
on loose-leaf and turn in.
•Let’s Annotate!!!!!