Annotate Definition

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To annotate is to make notes on or mark up a text with one's thoughts, questions, or

realizations while reading. The term annotation refers to the actual notes one has written
during the process of annotating. This process of annotating is used to help readers think
through a piece of text, whether it be for academic purposes or a piece of personal interest.

Why is Annotating Important?

The practice of annotating is beneficial for different reasons, depending on the type of text one
is reading.
 When reading a text for academic or professional purposes, annotating provides a way
to return to specific points for review. This could be because a particular passage section
is confusing and requires further clarification, or it could be because that section
provides a jumping off point for analysis or research. By keeping track of one's thoughts
and questions during reading, it is a much simpler process to return to a specific part of
a text rather than attempting to remember a thought or question once the whole text
has been read through. It is much more efficient for time management purposes to note
these items as they come up versus backtracking to find a piece of information or a
quote.
 The motivation behind annotating when reading for pleasure is somewhat different than
that listed above. While one would still be noting thoughts, questions, and realizations,
the benefit of doing so is much more personal. The reader may want to share his, her, or
their thoughts with a reading community of sorts through a book review, a blog, or book
club, and annotations allow for easy retrieval of information to discuss. It is also possible
that the reader simply wants to examine his/her/their own thoughts while moving
through the experience of the story. Reading for pleasure is all about personal
preference and the individual experience, so annotating is just another level of enjoying
that process.

How Do You Annotate?

There are some techniques for annotating to make it an efficient process, though the most
important aspect of creating annotations is that they make sense to the reader.
Using color-coded highlighting in a text or in notes can set up an
efficient system for review

 Highlighting (or underlining): This is a commonly used practice for academic reading in
order to make the most important information stand out among the rest. Some readers
may choose to have a color code with their highlights to differentiate between facts,
questions, opinions, and important vocabulary so that a review of the text is more
organized.
 Symbols: Similar to highlighting, some readers may choose to use symbols to mark up a
text. This could look like using a question mark next to lines or sections that are
confusing and require clarification or a star next to a piece of information that is likely to
show up on a test. When reading for pleasure, one might use a pair of quotation marks
to symbolize a line that would make a great quote for a book review.
 Section Summaries/Paraphrases: Writing a summary or paraphrase of a chapter or
section of text helps one to synthesize that information. Putting the information into
one's own words helps each reader to gauge his/her/their understanding. Having a short
summary at the end of each section or chapter also creates a clear path for reviewing
information later on.
 Margin Notes: Taking notes about one's own thinking while reading is a form of
metacognition that can help deepen the understanding of a text. Margin notes are more
of a free form of annotating, but can be one of the most effective once the reader nails
down a system or a format to note-taking. Margin notes are very simply thoughts,
 questions, or realizations the reader has that are noted in the margins of the text for
future review.
It is important to note that more than one of these techniques can be used together. The most
important factor is that the technique makes sense to the reader and can be used for the
reader's intended purpose after reading.

Choose a Format

Hand Written
Writing annotations by hand can be preferable when one is reading a physical text on paper.
This limits the need for an extra device just for note taking, and annotating can be done almost
anywhere. There is also something to be said for the physical process of writing and that
connection to working memory that some people find beneficial. There are a few different ways
to keep physical notes:
 In the margins of the text: This works well when there is ample room in the margins and
the reader wants to easily refer to the full text when reviewing.
 On self-adhesive notes: When the margins are not large enough to annotate effectively,
but the reader still wants easy access to the full text, self-adhesive notes (or "sticky"
notes) are a great option to work around the lack of space.
 In Cornell Notes format: Cornell Notes is a style of note-taking that utilizes two columns,
and is a good option when the reader wants more organized annotations and does not
necessarily need access to the full text during review. The left column is used for what
one might consider "headings." This could be vocabulary terms, section names, outline
headings, etc. These should be short labels. The right hand column is used for the
definitions, explanations, quotes, and more. At the end of each portion of Cornell Notes,
the reader should include a short summary of information from that section.
Using self-adhesive notes can give a reader more room to write
while still being able to reference the original text.

Digital
Digital annotations are another option and may be preferred by those who prefer access to
their notes at any time. Some of these options allow the reader to type notes on a digital piece
of writing in almost the same way one would with hand writing those notes in the margins.
Others keep notes separate but organized in the same style as Cornell Notes.
 Note taking apps: There is no shortage of note taking apps available on mobile devices,
and these different options can be great for suiting the needs of different styles of
learning or thinking. A reader could create digital flashcards, audio notes, video notes,
and more.
 Annotation Web Add-Ons: If a person is doing a lot of e-reading on websites, using a
browser add-on might be more useful than trying to take hand-written notes, as these
add-ons will allow the reader to type onto a webpage or PDF article and save it for later
reference. This has the benefit of access to the full text upon review.
 Audio/Video Recording Apps and Sites: For those who are auditory learners, utilizing
audio or video technology may be the best way to record thoughts, questions, and
realizations that can be listened to or watched at a later time.
Keep It Simple and Consistent
Keeping in mind that the purpose of annotating is for efficient review of material after reading,
it is important to remain consistent with one's techniques and formats so that this goal is met.
Having annotations in multiple different formats for one text makes for inefficient review later
on, as it is difficult to recall where each idea or thought has been kept. It is also important to
note that keeping notes clear and brief also contributes to the efficiency and ease of access
when reviewing material. Longer analysis of a text should be saved for an essay, review, or
discussion with which the annotations can assist.

Annotate While Reading

It makes for better time management if the reader annotated during the reading process. This is
because going back over the material to remember thoughts, questions, and realizations after
the fact means extra minutes spent on a passage. All of the techniques and formats listed above
are best suited for annotating while reading rather than after reading. Before reading, one
should have a general idea of his/her/their purpose for taking notes, making it easier to
determine the types of things to pay attention to (vocabulary, symbolism, plot, facts, statistics,
etc.). These things can be highlighted or commented on during the reading process.

Review the Notes

Reviewing notes at the end of a section or chapter helps to solidify that information being
committed to memory and also allows for the reader to assess if there are any major gaps in
understanding (repeated questions, multiple sections of confusing information, etc.). Ensuring a
review of the notes allows the reader to either go back to re-read or look to other sources for
clarification.
Annotation Examples - Dos and Don'ts

Technique Dos Don'ts

- Choose short, important pieces of
- Highlight everything (the
text to highlight - Color code if
Highlighting important information will
there are many categories you are
get lost)
reading for
- Use symbols that make sense to
- Use a massive number of
you - Have a small set of useful
symbols that will be difficult
symbols that can be used for a
to remember - Use symbols
Symbols variety of items (i.e. a star for
that are complicated to draw
important facts and statistics) - Add
- Forget to clarify in the
notes to clarify why an item has a
margins
symbol
Section - Use your own words - Be brief - Summarize if you don't fully
Summaries/Paraphrases understand the section -
Paraphrase before you look
 Technique Dos Don'ts
up new vocabulary
- Be brief - Set a purpose for
- Make notes on everything -
reading and focus on notes that
Write long, wordy sentences -
Margin Notes serve that purpose - Review notes
Use a shorthand that you
for clarity at the end of each section
might forget later
or chapter

Lesson Summary
To review, annotating a text is a common practice for readers who want to come back to their
thoughts, ideas, questions, or realizations after reading. It is a great way to visualize one's
thinking during the reading process in order to create an efficient way to review information
whether it be for academic or personal purposes.
Remember:
 Choose a technique or multiple techniques that make sense to you
 Be consistent with your techniques and format for more efficient review
 Review notes for clarity and seek out answers for any questions

Worksheet: Annotating Literature: Techniques & Examples

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1. Annotation helps the reader engage with the text. A reader can engage by asking
questions, looking up information they don't know, and:
a. Creating a Powerpoint about the entire text.
b. Writing a thorough analysis of an argument that was made in the reading.
c. Defining all higher level words in the reading.
d. Clarifying a previously asked question or definition.

2. If you're unable to write directly on the text, can you still annotate?
a. Yes, but it won't be the same as physically marking up the text.
b. No, annotation is defined as writing directly on a text.
c. No, if you cannot write directly on the text then you cannot adequately annotate.
d. Yes, you can use sticky notes or a separate sheet of paper to make notes.

3. When annotating, margin notes can be used for all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Questions and/or clarifications
b. Detailed analysis of a theory
c. Summarizing main points
d. Vocabulary definitions
4. Annotation is defined as _____.
a. making notes and marking up a text to better understand what we read
b. a system of reading
c. looking up information we do not know as we read a text
d. making a key of markings for future reference

5. When thinking about annotation, you should consider all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Keeping markings to a minimum
b. Using system consistently/repeatedly
c. Listing thorough notes on each page of text
d. Creating a key of markings and notations