Annotating text

1. Annotating text What is it? Why do it? How do I do it?

2. Definition • To read carefully, it is essential that you “have a conversation” with the text and record what difference “voices” might be saying, usually in the margins or between the lines–wherever there is space. • = making notes in the margins of the text of what’s “going on inside your head” when reading a text.

3. Purpose Annotation/Marginal notes will help you • conceptualize the piece as you read and will save you time later on if you have to discuss or write about it. • create a shorthand version of what you're reading to which you can return later for reference. It's always much easier to navigate something you read a few days ago if you have taken detailed marginal notes. • Gain a better understanding of texts you've “had a conversation with” than you have of pieces you've only read. • Often times, we need to “train” our brain on what exactly to do. So here are some helpful strategies.

4. Reading Strategies (Review of 7th grade) • Predict • Question • Visualize • Infer (make logical guesses using previous knowledge with new observations) • Connect • Monitor/Clarify • Summarize

5. Unanswered Questions • Why did the protagonist… • What would happen if… • How… ** Often times, your questions help you explore, clarify, make more interesting connections and discover new ideas. You may want to revisit and attempt to predict or answer these questions as you continue reading.

6. Connections • Text to text • Text to personal experience • Text to world

7. Paraphrase/summarize Fiction only: • The plot • Author’s style Non-fiction only: • The author’s argument • The author’s rhetorical device/style Both: • The main points • The main idea/gist

8. Observations/Inferences Things to observe and infer about, but not limited to: • The Author’s style • Diction/Language of the discipline – scrutinize the author’s choice of words; pay attention to language that is specific to a particular field or discipline • Literary devices – figurative language • Rhetorical devices – what strategies do they use to persuade? • Author’s purpose – why are they writing this piece? What is their main message? • THEME – universal truth about life stated in one sentence

9. Observations/Inferences Things to observe and infer about, but not limited to: • Details - What are the defining features, attributes, or characteristics? What are the facts? • Patterns – What is repeated? What is the sequence of events like? How can I make predictions based on past events? • Trends – What are the factors or influences that cause events to occur? What patterns are repeated?

10. Observations/Inferences Things to observe and infer about, but not limited to: • Multiple perspectives – how would different characters or people view this situation or issue? • Changes over time – what/who changes over time? • Ethics – What moral views are involved? What controversies exist? What arguments could arise, based on different views about/values on what’s right or wrong?