Mark Up That Text with Your Observations and Thoughts!

As you thoughtfully read and focus on key passages of the novel, identify important or striking features, notice patterns, predict meanings, and annotate, or “mark up,” the text to show your observations and thoughts .

This kind of practice will help you read more closely and with greater thought and understanding! As you get more practice, you’ll develop your own system. Until then, use the following system. Mark features of the text with a:

Symbol Annotation Explanation

Place a box around confusing words or phrases

Use a dictionary or thesaurus to find a simple word to replace it

Circle examples of imagery or sensory language

The use of vivid language to generate ideas and/or evoke mental images, usingwords that engage the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). Example: Tomplaced his ear tightly against the wall; he could hear a faint but distinct thumpthump thump.

Single underline Use a single underline for detailsImportant details that may not be easily recalled but contribute to the story(dates, numbers, names of things, plot details, etc.). Answer in margins: 5 W’s and H (who, what, when, where, why, and how

Underline twiceUse a double underline for repetition

The purposeful re-use of sounds, words, and phrases for an effect

? Questions For those portions you are confused about, write your questions or what confuses you in the margin

ThemeDraw squiqqley lines under areas of the text that you believe center around the theme.

Theme is the central idea of the text. Find examples and write notes in the margin.

Use your highlighter and colored pens when annotating. This key is to help you. Make sure you are interacting with the text as you read. You will be graded throughout the year on your annotations.

Confusing Word or Phrase

imagery