How to Annotate Text
1. Number the paragraphs.
2. Circle the words you do not know - use context clues to try to define and if possible write it down.
3. Highlight* the author's main ideas, evidence, and or arguments.
*Highlighting by itself is NOT annotating and will not earn any points.
4. Take Margin Notes:
1. Number the paragraphs.
2. Circle the words you do not know - use context clues to try to define and if possible write it down.
3. Highlight* the author's main ideas, evidence, and or arguments.
*Highlighting by itself is NOT annotating and will not earn any points.
4. Take Margin Notes:
- Paraphrase (put in your own words) the author's main ideas, evidence, or arguments.
- Use a question mark (?) for questions that you have during & after the reading. Be sure to write your question.
- Place a star (★) next to text you found important or interesting & make a note as to why.
- 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.
- Mark EX when the author provides an example.
Examples of Quality Annotations of Text