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Explaining Annotation

Annotation is the process of adding notes to a text to enhance comprehension and retention, which can significantly reduce study time and improve test scores. It involves previewing the text, actively reading with tools like pens and post-it notes, and summarizing key points in one's own words. Effective annotation strategies include asking questions about the text, noting important information, and reflecting on personal responses to the material.

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12 views2 pages

Explaining Annotation

Annotation is the process of adding notes to a text to enhance comprehension and retention, which can significantly reduce study time and improve test scores. It involves previewing the text, actively reading with tools like pens and post-it notes, and summarizing key points in one's own words. Effective annotation strategies include asking questions about the text, noting important information, and reflecting on personal responses to the material.

Uploaded by

bdlmaria20
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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An Introduction to Annotation

First Year
Groups 1and 3
Ms. Wafa Mekhaznia

What is Annotation?

Annotation is the act of adding notes to a text. A student sums up the information of a text by writing
brief key points in the margins. Annotation will help you preview a text, take layers of notes from the
text, and formulate questions from your notes.

Annotation is an active reading strategy that improves comprehension and is also a technique that
requires you to take time to understand what you’re reading and then put it into your own words.

Why should I annotate?

Research shows that annotation

Has a profound effect on comprehension and retention.

Cuts down on your study time! Students who do not annotate spend 77% more time studying than
students who do annotate.

Can affect your test scores! Students who annotate perform better on tests with less preparation time.

How do I annotate?

1. Preview: This preliminary look at the text is meant to prepare you for close reading.

a) Get an idea of what the text is about. If you’re about to read a novel, look at the back of the book for a
quick summary. If you’re about to read a chapter in a Chemistry textbook, look for a review section at the
beginning or end of the chapter.

b) Look at captions, headings and subheadings, names, boldfaced terms, and/or visual devices such as
charts, graphs, pictures, or diagrams.

c) Note the organization of the text—is the text divided into chapters or sections? How many pages do
you need to read?

d) Think about the author’s message, motivation, and intended audience.

2. Read with a pen, pencil, and/or post-it note in hand: This close reading is meant to help you
identify, remember, and recall essential information.

a) Sum up important ideas in your own words.

b) Add your own examples.

c) Keep a dictionary handy and look up confusing or unknown words as you read.

d) Put a question mark next to passages or problems you don’t understand.


An Introduction to Annotation
First Year
Groups 1and 3
Ms. Wafa Mekhaznia

e) Write down questions to bring up during class discussion or to ask your professor after class.

f) Make a note of passages that generate a strong positive or negative response.

g) Mark repetitions.

h) Note relationships, themes, symbols, and/or images that are recurrent.

i) Circle, highlight, or underline important keywords, terms, and/or definitions.

j) Mark anything that you think is important, interesting, or inconsistent.

3. Remember:

a) Annotations are brief. Keep it short.

b) Annotations should be about information you think is important.

Helpful Annotating Strategies

Questions to ask yourself when annotating a text:

What are the major points of the reading? i.e. names, dates, ideas, terminology, and/or events, and etc.

What is the author saying? What is the idea or point that the author is trying to get across?

What question(s) is the author trying to answer with the text?

How do I feel about what the text is saying? Do I agree or disagree, or am I somewhere in the middle?

What does the text mean? Why are the events in the text important? Do I understand what I’m reading?

How do my personal experiences, views, and feelings stack up against the thesis or main idea of the
selection?

How do my personal experiences and/or perceptions affect my opinion of the text?

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