Annotations

Annotations When you read, you have a conversation of sorts with the author. Annotations are meant to help your understand the author's message and examine how the author delivers the message. Below are the types of annotations that most help you analyze text.

__Annotation for Surface Meaning__ (This material helps you summarize) Comment within the text about: Who When Where Why Clarifications of text (questions and answers) Vocabulary and definitions (new words or familiar ones used differently or in a new way)

__Annotations for Deep Meaning__ (This material helps you analyze and extend text meaning) Comment in the margins about: Author's form and style Inferences and predictions (literal and abstract) Questions about bias and context Connections to literary work, themes, symbols, Personal opinions/evaluations/connections

__Rules for Annotating__ l Always read with a pen or pencil in hand l Ask yourself the five W's   l Abbreviate your notes l Keep a list of characters and their traits l Bullet pt. key events for every chapter l Use question marks when uncertain l Look for vocabulary