How to Annotate

Annotating text is a purposeful note taking system. It helps to encourage close reading and literary analysis. Your annotation system can be highly personalized, but you should establish your method before you start to read. Find out how to annotate a text to achieve a better understanding of the plot, characters and themes.

Steps

Prepare for Reading

1. Specify what annotations are required for your assignment. Unless you are reading for pleasure, your annotations usually identify plot, character and themes. However, they can also include setting, vocabulary and figurative language.
   
   
   
   • If you are in secondary school, you may want to ask your teacher for a list of suggested annotations. If you are in graduate schools, you should make a plan to annotate according to the assignment to which the annotations will apply.
   
   
   
   


2. Analyze the assignment. Choose the elements of the story that you are being asked to write about.
   
   
   
   • For example, if you are being asked to write about themes, you should add extra annotations for these. If you are being asked to write about character, you may want a different annotation method for each protagonist and antagonist.
   
   
   
   


3. Ask how many changes can be made to your copy of the text. If you own the book and plan to use it heavily, you will want to mark right on the page with highlighter and pencil.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you are using a library or school copy, you may do some light pencil marking inside, because it can be erased. However, you will want to use post it notes for large annotations because they can be removed later on without costly damage.
   
   
   • If possible, buy your own copy of a book if you plan to annotate it.
   
   
   
   


4. Create a legend for your annotations. Make a list on a separate sheet of paper or inside the book cover that lists how you will annotate different elements of your analysis.
   
   
   
   • For example, you may want to circle new vocabulary, box figurative language, underline thematic statements.
   
   
   • Be clear and try to develop a method that you can use with future assignments. After several assignments, you may no longer need to use a legend to keep annotations straight.
   
   
   
   

Basic Annotation

1. Read closely. Successful annotation is only possible if you are reading actively at all times.


2. Keep a pencil, highlighter and/or post-it notes with you at all times you are reading the book. It is very difficult to return to a place and annotate after you have already read the text.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. Limit your annotation. Overly underlined or marked text can be hard to decode, so make sure you only mark when you know you will need to return and review the text.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


4. Use brackets and note taking. When you find a passage that may apply to your assignment, create brackets around the text. Then, take notes about what it means in the margins or on a post-it note.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • A frequent first-time mistake with annotations is to underline too much and take too few notes. Your notes in the margin will help you to make important connections that you can refer to later, rather than simply noting a page.
   
   
   
   

Advanced Annotation

1. Keep a separate sheet of paper where you list themes and important figurative elements. This is especially important if you are going to be asked to do a literary analysis or write an essay.
   
   
   
   • Consider keeping a page of new vocabulary words. Review of the words and definitions will help to develop your vocabulary.
   
   
   • List comments and page numbers under each theme. The more detailed you are, the easier it will be to write a paper and provide evidence.
   
   
   • You may choose to do outside annotations if the book cannot be underlined or highlighted.
   
   
   
   


2. Add opinions to your commentary. Use margins or additional paper to make predictions, ask questions, make connections to other text and look for patterns.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Make sure to make predictions and connections as you read, instead of returning to the text after you have finished a portion of the book. Predictions can change and they can be useful in tracking changes in characters and themes.
   
   
   
   


3. Focus on specific, rather than general, comments. The more your comments relate to imagery, connections and plot or character development, the more helpful they will be to completing your literary analysis.

Optional Annotations

1. Consider returning to the beginning of the chapter and renaming the chapter based on character, theme or plot development. Although this is for your personal use, it can be helpful when tracking your close reading.


2. Summarize important sections of text, figurative language and themes as you go. Gather these margin annotations.


3. List page numbers with text that supports certain themes, character changes or repetitive figurative language on your additional note pages. It will be far easier to write an essay or analysis when the evidence is already listed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tips

• Remember to erase pencil notations before returning the book to a library or school classroom.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil


• Post-it notes


• Highlighter


• Annotation legend


• Homework assignment


• List of plot, themes and characters


• Page numbers


• Vocabulary list


• Extra paper


• Eraser

Sources and Citations

• http://ift.tt/1w7a87w


• http://ift.tt/1rV5v40


• http://ift.tt/1nysRUW

from How to of the Day http://ift.tt/1rV5xJm

via Peter