Annotating Textsand Taking NotesGroup Tutorial

What is annotating?HighlightingUnderliningCirclingMaking notes in

the margin of the text

How do I begin?Start with some pre-reading

strategies. ◦Identify the titles, subheadings,

and important text features◦Skim the text◦Predict what it is about◦Try to identify some key

vocabulary words

StrategiesCreate some questions about the text

◦Examples: Who is ____ ? What is ____ ? When did ____ ? Why do ____? How does ____?

Write these in the margin of your text, on a separate paper, or post-it.

Your goal while reading is to find the answers to your questions.

StrategiesHighlighting

◦The biggest mistake students make when annotating is highlighting too much.

◦Focus on only topic sentences and really important ideas.

HighlightingYou may want to use different

colors for different purposes. Examples:

◦Green– Main ideas◦Yellow– Important details

StrategiesUnderlining

◦This strategy can be a way to remind yourself of things you still need to review or look up.

◦As your read, when you come across something that you still don’t understand, underline the sentence.

StrategiesAs you read, try circling words

you know are important and word you need to look up or study.◦This can help you do a quick review

later on by quizzing yourself on the circled words.

StrategiesMaking notes in the margins

◦Use the space around the edge of the page to keep notes for yourself, point out connections between ideas, and ask or answer questions.

◦If your text does not have enough room, use paper or a post-it note.

Review

Now review everything you highlighted by reading it again.

Discuss what you selected with your group.

Review

Look at all the underlined sections and circled words. Can you figure them out by discussing them with your group?◦Use additional resources such

as your glossary, index, dictionaries, or the internet to figure out these difficult words and phrases.

ReviewReread your notes in the

margins. Discuss what you wrote down with your group.

Reread the questions you wrote about the text before you began.◦ Are they relevant questions?◦If so, can you answer them?

Reread the text as needed.

Taking NotesNow you will use

your annotated text to take notes.

Discuss what should go on the notes with your group. ◦You may use the

Cornell Notes template or your own paper.

Discussion Activity

Use the whiteboard or a large sheet of paper for this final activity.

Review all the main points on your notes with your group. ◦Determine the most important and write them out

with markers. ◦Add one important detail for each idea you write

down. ◦Come up with an image or symbol that visually

represents each idea and add it to the board. Finally, discuss these ideas and details aloud.

◦Each person should take a turn summarizing something on the board.