1. Annotating a Text
Annotating is essential for close and critical reading of texts in preparation for class discussions/seminars, writing assignments, analyses, research, and test/exam responses.
Furthermore, annotating helps you dissect difficult texts and discern meaning from them.

2. Marking the text
o Circle phrases you find pithy, that show patterns or repetitions, or reveal figurative language.
o Circle words the author uses for their connotative meanings.
o Circle words you need to define in the margins
o Underline sentences that stand out, develop an argument, or make a point.
o Number related points
o Bracket important sections of text
o Connect important ideas, words, or phrases with arrows

3. Noting in the margins o Summarize and number each paragraph
o Define the unfamiliar terms
o Note any questions that come to mind
o Note possible connotative meanings of circled words
o Note any significant patterns
Note shifts in tone or attitude
o Identify any outstanding language usage or devices you discover
o Identify points or arguments

4. Rubric
Grade A or B: Evidence of copious, helpful annotations, a great deal of which are related to any topics specified by the assignment.
Grade C: Too few annotations, or the annotations are usually vague. The most important sections of the book are not marked. Annotations are not complete enough to amount to a solid tool for the student.
Grade D: Almost all of the annotations are highlighting, underlining, or the like. Very little marginal or interlineated writing is present.
Grade F: Very few annotations are present, or annotations are present only at the beginning of a reading assignment.