AnnotAnnotationationWhat the What the

heck is heck is

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Annotation: DefinitionAnnotation: Definition

A critical or explanatory note or body of notes added to a text. (n) (n) There is not a There is not a wrongwrong way to annotate. There is not way to annotate. There is not

a a rightright way to annotate. way to annotate. There are There are more effectivemore effective and and less effectiveless effective ways to ways to

write critical or explanatory notes in a text.write critical or explanatory notes in a text.

When do I annotate?When do I annotate?

When the text is difficultWhen the text is difficult When you are reading for something specificWhen you are reading for something specific When you will use the information for another When you will use the information for another

purposepurpose When you’d like to comprehend the text more When you’d like to comprehend the text more

effectivelyeffectively When you have a difficult time staying When you have a difficult time staying

focused and engaged in the readingfocused and engaged in the reading

Why do I annotate? Why do I annotate?

It improves It improves comprehensioncomprehension Students must process information in order to put Students must process information in order to put

information into their own words.information into their own words. It improves It improves retentionretention

Annotation requires students to think about Annotation requires students to think about information. The notes created serve as a reminder information. The notes created serve as a reminder of that information and the reader’s reactions.of that information and the reader’s reactions.

It improves It improves efficiencyefficiency Annotation keeps students’ attention toward the task Annotation keeps students’ attention toward the task

and provides a structure for studying or reading and provides a structure for studying or reading independently.independently.

What might I annotate for?What might I annotate for?

Literature Analysis (elements & devices)Literature Analysis (elements & devices) ThemeTheme – seek specific support from the story to – seek specific support from the story to

discover and then prove theme as it developsdiscover and then prove theme as it develops SymbolismSymbolism – explain how physical elements or – explain how physical elements or

events in the text help readers understand events in the text help readers understand something untangiblesomething untangible

Contextual symbolContextual symbol – symbol for the novel’s context – symbol for the novel’s context onlyonly

Universal symbolUniversal symbol – symbol used over and over in – symbol used over and over in literature (seen as a motif) literature (seen as a motif)

Personal symbolPersonal symbol – these are not in the text. Abandon – these are not in the text. Abandon them when analyzing the text’s smybols.them when analyzing the text’s smybols.

What might I annotate for?What might I annotate for?

Literature Analysis (elements & devices)Literature Analysis (elements & devices) ConflictConflict – explain what kinds of problems the – explain what kinds of problems the

conflict creates for the character and how it conflict creates for the character and how it influences the plotinfluences the plot

SettingSetting – explain the effect the setting has on the – explain the effect the setting has on the character and the plotcharacter and the plot

Character DescriptionCharacter Description – explain how the character – explain how the character traits influence the character’s behaviortraits influence the character’s behavior

What might I annotate for?What might I annotate for? OWL Reading SkillsOWL Reading Skills

VocabularyVocabulary – make a note of the word and – make a note of the word and determine meaning (prefix, suffix, root determine meaning (prefix, suffix, root

word, context clues) or look up meaningword, context clues) or look up meaning Self-QuestionSelf-Question – ask questions about the text and – ask questions about the text and

meta-cognate them (ask yourself meta-cognate them (ask yourself whywhy you asked you asked that question)that question)

InferenceInference – reaching a conclusion based on – reaching a conclusion based on information information not stated in the textnot stated in the text

PredictionPrediction – making an educated guess that – making an educated guess that isis based on text clues and prior knowledgebased on text clues and prior knowledge

What might I annotate for?What might I annotate for? Non-fiction AnalysisNon-fiction Analysis

Text StructureText Structure – determine how the information – determine how the information is presented (eg. chronological, Q/A, problem/ is presented (eg. chronological, Q/A, problem/ solution)solution)

Main ideaMain idea – determine the main idea of the text; – determine the main idea of the text; use titles, headlines, subheadings, etc.use titles, headlines, subheadings, etc.

Supporting DetailsSupporting Details – determine what details – determine what details support the main ideasupport the main idea

Source Source – seek information about the source’s – seek information about the source’s creditabilitycreditability

What happens when…What happens when…

annotation limits my enjoyment of the annotation limits my enjoyment of the reading?reading? Change your approach!Change your approach!

I don’t know what to write in the margins?I don’t know what to write in the margins? Clarify your purpose!Clarify your purpose!

I want to annotate everything?!?I want to annotate everything?!? Clarify your purpose!Clarify your purpose!

I’m not sure how annotation helps me?I’m not sure how annotation helps me? Seek a more challenging focus, purpose.Seek a more challenging focus, purpose.

Annotation – yea!Annotation – yea!

WhatWhat is annotation? is annotation? WhenWhen do I annotate? do I annotate? WhyWhy do I annotate? do I annotate? What might I annotate What might I annotate forfor??

Depends on your purpose! Depends on your purpose! HowHow do I annotate? do I annotate?

Let’s practice!Let’s practice!