Mrs. Torres
Reading 7
Annotating Text - Fiction
Annotating is the system a reader uses to add notes and comments to a written text. It serves
numerous purposes in helping the reader understand and make meaning out of text. Annotating
fiction is somewhat different from annotating nonfiction because readers look for different things
and read for different purposes. Annotate fictional texts to:






Make predictions about the story.
Observe details about a character or setting.
Form questions to better understand the text.
Pick out literary techniques used by the author.
Make connections to real life.
Draw conclusions or inferences about characters.
Every reader must come up with a system that is most comfortable for him or her. Here is a
suggested format for marking fictional texts:
Symbol
Stands for:
C or ♀
Character
S
Setting
TECH or LIT
! or
☼
Literary Technique
Connection
?
Question
*
Main Idea/Important
P
Prediction
VOC
Look It Up
ME
“”
Idea/Conclusion
Quote
Means:
A new character has been introduced.
I’ve learned something new about an existing
character.
A new setting has been introduced.
I have an observation about the setting.
I have an observation about the author’s technique:
metaphor, simile, symbolism, imagery, or other
literary technique. (Remember to make a note about
what you observe.)
I’ve seen, read, or thought about that before.
I’ve experienced that.
I know how the character feels; I identify with the
character.
I don’t understand.
I need more information.
This is an important statement, quote, or part of the
story.
I have an idea about what is going to happen to the
character or how the story might turn out.
I don’t know what this word means. I need to find a
definition.
I have an original idea or conclusion about this.
I might use this quote in my own writing.
The point of annotating is to both summarize and clarify. Use it to better understand and explain
what you read.
Remember: Each highlighted or underlined passage and each symbol must be
accompanied by a note. Take notes in the margin or, if necessary, use sticky notes.
Mrs. Torres
Reading 7
Annotating Text - Nonfiction
Annotating is the system a reader uses to add notes and comments to a written text. It
serves numerous purposes in helping the reader understand and make meaning out of
text. Annotating helps to:






Pick out main ideas and summarize.
Form questions to better comprehend what I am reading.
Make connections to things I already know.
Draw conclusions.
Create ideas for additional reading.
Give me deeper understanding.
Every reader must come up with a system that is most comfortable for him or her. Here
is a suggested format for marking nonfiction texts:
Symbol
Stands for:
Agree
Means:
I’ve seen, read, or thought about that before.
I’ve experienced that.
I don’t understand.
I need more information.
This is an important point the author is trying to
get across.
This is the author’s basic premise or overall
meaning.
I don’t know what this word means. I need to
find a definition.
I have an original idea or conclusion about this
point.
I agree with the author on this point.
! or ☼
Connection
Disagree
I disagree with the author. I think otherwise.
Quote
I might use this quote in my own writing.
?
Question
* or !
Main Idea
VOC
Look It Up
ME
+
“”
Idea/Conclusion
The point of annotating is to both summarize and clarify. Use it to better understand and
explain what you read.
Remember: Each highlighted or underlined passage and each symbol must be
accompanied by a note. Take notes in the margin or, if necessary, use sticky notes.