How to Annotate (“Mark Up” a Text) As you read, use this to help you annotate, or “mark up”, the text to show your observations and thoughts. Annotate by using a VARIETY of marks, labels, and comments.
1. Mark features of the text with symbols and underlining. * for important events, decisions, or thoughts expressed by the author or a character ! for something surprising/shocking/unexpected/funny ? to highlight confusing or puzzling ideas or events ... for what you need to know more about # for what you already know ________________ (underlining) key phrases for ideas or events (circle) keywords related to the topic
2. Label unfamiliar words with definitions and any literary elements or devices, including important, striking, or enchanting words, phrases, and sentences, like sensory images, figurative language, repetition, sounds, and unusual punctuation.
3. Comment in the margins. When writing comments, you might...
observe what is being said or done
identify a theme being developed
paraphrase or summarize a difficult phrase, sentence or passage
describe the effect of an image, sound, or word
infer a character quality
ask a thoughtful question or predict an outcome
identify important or striking features
notice patterns
predict meanings
See the examples below and check out the rubric HERE