1. How To Take Notes in Your Book
Annotating Texts
How To Take Notes in Your Book

2. I contend, quite bluntly,
that marking up a book is not
an act of mutilation but of
love.
Mortimer J. Adler

4. Rationale for Annotation
According to Porter-O’Donnell, this
“writing-to-learn” strategy
helps teach reading as a process.
changes comprehension.
slows down the reading.
promotes more active reading.
helps improve writing.

5. Categories of Text Response
Making predictions
Summarizing
Asking questions
Stating opinions
Studying the author’s craft
Making connections
Looking for patterns
Reflecting on content or the reading process

6. Annotations: An Overview
Not just one “right” way to annotate (take notes) as you read
General principles for good annotating:
Write marginal notes in the text
Taking Notes is not just summarizing.
(Ask questions and write comments.)
Close reading takes time
Taking time as you read will save you time and anxiety later as you discuss & write about the text

7. Previewing: Before You Annotate
Find a quiet place with no distractions (this means no music, phone, or TV)
Look at the title
Usually includes author’s subject or method
Who is the author?
What you already know helps you guess something about the writing
If biographical sketch is provided, read it
Adapted from The Bedford Reader and The Little, Brown Reader
Adaptation by Laura Hayes

8. Annotation Guidelines
Read with a pen or pencil in hand.
Helps you focus and stay alert.
Create your own code / symbols & be CONSISTENT with your system.
Abbreviate using things such as brackets, stars, exclamation points
Keep a list of characters & their key traits
A good place: inside cover of the book
Add brief notes to your lists as you read

9. Suggested Annotation Marks
DURING READING
Mark in the text:
Characters (who) ○
When (setting) □
Where (setting) □
Vocabulary (highlight)
Important information
Write in the margins:
Summarize
Make predictions
Formulate opinions
Make connections
Ask questions
Analyze the author's craft
Write reflections/reactions/comments
Look for patterns/repetitions (Adapted from Porter-O’Donnell)

10. Annotation Guidelines
Underline/highlight – CAUTION: Use this sparingly.
Underline/highlight only a few words.
Never underline an entire passage.
Bullet-point the key events as a summary or write a short summary.

11. Annotation Guidelines
Have a CONVERSATION with the text. Talk back to it.
Ask questions (essential to active reading).
Be alert to what puzzles you.
Good readers do not zip along without stopping to monitor their comprehension. They stop to think and to note what they don’t understand.
Write down questions you would like to discuss.
Your annotations must include comments as evidence of thinking!

12. Annotation Guidelines
Of course, you should always pay attention to VOCABULARY.
Mark new words.
Try to determine meaning from the context.
If you are really puzzled by a word, look it up.

14. READY, SET, ANNOTATE …