1. Marking up a text!
A guide to annotation

2. Why do we annotate?! Calvin does not set a good example…
Read with purpose and focus
Connect and engage with the text
Help develop meaning and understanding
Prepare for discussion
Calvin does not set a good example…

3. When do I annotate?
When you stumble upon anything unfamiliar and/or confusing
When you find yourself ‘really feeling’ a particular part of the text
When you have an idea, prediction, or are making an inference
Tip: Some people like to make annotations right away, other people like to wait until they find a stopping point. Find what works for you!!!

4. How do I annotate?
We will be writing in, on, and about our books… we will not be coloring in them!
Highlighting is the bane of annotation (personal preference as a teacher)
We will be using FZN property the vast majority of the time, so we won’t be writing in the books (usually)
You have been asked to buy post-its for class, and you will write on those
You can write whatever you want for your annotations!

5. Ask Questions!
You should always have questions about what you’re reading!
Good readers ask questions about characters, setting, plot, and the ways in which authors use the language.
Some questions might be easily answered (thin questions).
if you’re asking one of these questions in your annotations you should answer them!
The best questions (Thick Questions) start with “How” or “why”

6. Make Inferences! An inference is an educated guess based on 2 things:
What you’re reading (text clues)
What you already know outside the reading (schema)
We do this all the time in the real world – let your experience carry over!
Release Your inner Sherlock holmes 

7. Make Predictions!
Similar to making inferences, except with apply what we know to potential events in the story
Authors intentionally foreshadow all the time!

8. Word Choice Check out that fabulous new vocabulary!
What are some words that stand out to you as being unique or absurdly appropriate?

9. Comments / Thoughts What is going on in that head of yours?
You’re thinking something different from what anybody else is thingking!
Any idea is a good idea!
Is this text making you feel a certain way?
If you feel bored, or angry, or anything… talk about it!
“The book to read is not the one that thinks for you but the one which makes you think for yourself!” -Harper lee

10. Whenever reading for class, always annotate!