Annotation Methods of Annotating a Text

At First… Look for the main ideas Identify the thesis statement Recognize patterns

Three Questions ---A Way to Annotate Where? What? How?

Question One WHERE –underline / highlight the passage where you see the device/strategy

Question Two WHAT – – Identify the device/strategy by labeling it– –Note: This step is probably the least important, but it can help focus and also differentiates simply labeling from actually explaining

Question Three HOW – –Explain in your own words, in point form, how that device/strategy works (e.g. "unpack" the simile)

Mortimer Adler, an expert, and writer of How to Mark a Book, says, Marking a Book or Text is ACTIVE READING Reading a book should be a conversation between the reader and the writer

Adler’s Reflections “…don't let anybody tell you that a reader is supposed to be solely on the receiving end. Understanding is a two-way operation; learning doesn't consist in being an empty receptacle. Marking a book is literally an expression of differences, or agreements of opinion, with the author.

Adler’s Hints Underlining (or highlighting): of major points, of important or forceful statements. Vertical lines at the margin: to emphasize a statement already underlined.

Adler’s Hints Star, asterisk, or other doo-dad at the margin: to be used sparingly, to emphasize the ten or twenty most important statements in the book. (You may want to fold the bottom comer of each page on which you use such marks. It won't hurt the sturdy paper on which most modern books are printed, and you will be able take the book off the shelf at any time and, by opening it at the folded-corner page, refresh your recollection of the book.)

Adler’s Hints Numbers in the margin: to indicate the sequence of points the author makes in developing a single argument. Numbers of other pages in the margin: to indicate where else in the book the author made points relevant to the point marked; to tie up the ideas in a book, which, though they may be separated by many pages, belong together.

Adler’s Hints Circling or highlighting of key words or phrases. Writing in the margin, or at the top or bottom of the page, for the sake of: recording questions (and perhaps answers) which a passage raised in your mind; reducing a complicated discussion to a simple statement; recording the sequence of major points right through the books.

Adler relates, “I use the end-papers at the back of the book to make a personal index of the author's points in the order of their appearance.”

Practical Suggestions Annotate any text that you must know well, in detail, and from which you might need to produce evidence that supports your knowledge or reading, such as a book on which you will be tested. Don't assume that you must annotate when you read for pleasure; if you're relaxing with a book, well, relax. Still, some people—let's call them "not-abnormal"—actually annotate for pleasure.

Tools: Highlighter, Pencil, and Your Own Text 1.Yellow Highlighter A yellow highlighter allows you to mark exactly what you are interested in. Equally important, the yellow line emphasizes without interfering. Some highlighters (or the colors) are distracting. The idea is to see the important text more clearly, not give your eyes a psychedelic exercise. While you read, highlight whatever seems to be key information. At first, you will probably highlight too little or too much; with experience, you will choose more effectively which material to highlight.

Tools… 2. Pencil A pencil is better than a pen because you can make changes. Even geniuses make mistakes, temporary comments, and incomplete notes. While you read, use marginalia—marginal notes—to mark key material. Marginalia can include check marks, question marks, stars, arrows, brackets, and written words and phrases. Create your own system for marking what is important, interesting, quotable, questionable…

Tools… 3. Your Text Inside the front cover of your book, keep an orderly, legible list of "key information" with page references. Key information in a novel might include themes; passages that relate to the book's title; characters' names; salient quotes; important scenes, passages, and chapters; and maybe key definitions or vocabulary. Remember that key information will vary according to genre and the reader's purpose.

As You Read… Consider doing the following, if useful or necessary: At the end of each chapter or section, briefly summarize the material. Title each chapter or section as soon as you finish it, especially if the text does not provide headings for chapters or sections. Make a list of vocabulary words on a back page or the inside back cover. Possible ideas for lists include the author's special jargon and new, unknown, or otherwise interesting words.

Questions????? Annotation is a personal study of the text…

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What writers say…

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