Annotating

1. Annotating A guide for government class!!!!

2. Annotation is a note of any form made while reading text. If you need the literal definition: a critical or explanatory note or body of notes added to a text. “Reading with a pencil.”

3. Annotation is not highlighting.

4. Text Connections • Government – How does this text relate to government? • Self – How does this relate to me and my life? • Text – How does this relate to other texts I’ve read? • I want you to think politically!! • How does this affect the way government is run? • How does this affect society?

5. How to Annotate? • UNDERLINEthe major points. • Circle keywords or phrases that are confusing or unknown to you. • Use a question mark (?) for questions that you have during the reading. Be sure to write your question. • Use an exclamation mark (!) for things that surprise you, and briefly note what it was that caught your attention. • Draw an arrow (↵) when you make a connection to something inside the text, or to an idea or experience outside the text. Briefly note your connections. • Number down paragraphs!!! • Mark EX when the author provides an example. • Numerate arguments, important ideas, or key details and write words or phrases that restate them.

6. Cont… • Write questions that are prompted by the text. Be specific. Instead of ‘What does this mean?’ write ‘Why did Captain Smith ignore the ice warnings?” Once you’ve completed your own reading, try to answer your own question.