ANNOTATION

What is meant by “ANNOTATION”? Annotation is making notes directly ON the text

AN ANNTOTATION ACRONYM: HUM H = Highlight the main ideas U = Underline the important details M = Make comments in the margins

What are two “rookie” mistakes people make when they are learning how to annotate? Highlighting too much and turning the whole page yellow (as if everything written on the page is important.) The reader will want to highlight only the MAIN ideas as s/he reads. Another mistake is writing only low level comments in the margins—comments such as “Wow! I didn’t know that!” Try to write comments that show deeper thinking.

What kinds of comments could I write in the margins? Summarize a main point. Question what you are reading. Challenge the writer. “Talk back” to the article. Notice parts that are confusing and then try to figure them out. What important points are not being said? Is there a perspective that is being left out? Notice unfamiliar vocabulary. Then look up the new words and write the meanings in the margin. Comment on the evidence/proof that the writer offers (or doesn’t offer) Number important points.

Annotate so that when finished, you can understand all of the important information in the text by reading only your annotation!