HOW TO ANNOTATE A NON-FICTION TEXT
(Half of your first test grade will be based on your annotated text)
Annotation is a key component of close reading. Since we will annotate texts all year, you need
to develop a system. Effective annotating is both economical and consistent. The most common
complaint about annotating is that it slows down your reading. Yes, it does. That’s the point. If
you find annotating while you read to be annoying and awkward, do it after you read. Go
back after a chapter or section and then mark it. You should be reading assignments twice
anyway, so this isn’t any less efficient than marking as you read and then re-reading the
material.
NOTE: The outside reading assignment must be read and annotated before class begins.
It is perfectly okay to add to your markings during class discussion, but the bulk of the job
should be done in conjunction with your reading for class preparations. Your annotations must
include comments. I want to see evidence of thinking.
1. **STAR** important THEMES, BELIEFS, VALUE STATEMENTS, THESIS and/or TOPIC
SENTENCES. Once you are completely finished with the book and annotating, write THREE
statements about THEME/THESIS on an inside cover or any blank pages of your book AND
find supporting evidence from the text to support your ideas. Keep track of page numbers.
2. WRITE brief COMMENTS in the margins. Make comments between or within lines of the text.
Ask questions and answer them. Make predictions. Argue with the author. If you have borrowed
the book, use sticky notes. Ask questions.
3. UNDERLINE: Use this method sparingly. Underline only key words or passages. Always
combine with another method such as comment. Never underline an entire passage. Doing so
takes too much time and loses effectiveness. If you wish to mark an entire paragraph or
passage, draw a line down the margin or use brackets.
4. CHECKMARK when you understand a difficult concept and summarize in a comment.
5. Put (CIRCLES) around any unfamiliar words or new vocabulary. Write the definitions from
context or dictionary in the right margin.
6. Use a ??? (QUESTION MARK) where you don’t understand something, and write your
question in the margin. Write at least two open-ended questions for each chapter. Short
essay questions are most useful.
7. Use !!! (AN EXCLAMATION POINT) with abbreviations and symbols to indicate passages
that contain wonderfully nuanced descriptions, especially delightful phrasing, provocative
assertions, figurative language, interesting diction or syntax, etc. Write comments and analytical
snippets to clarify your thinking. Note how the author uses language. Note the significance, if
you can, of the following:
 effects of word choice (diction) or sentence structure or type (syntax)
 repetition of words, phrases, actions, events, patterns
 rhetorical questions
 restatement
 parallel structure
 irony
 contrasts / contradictions / juxtapositions / shifts
 allusions
 any other figure of speech or literary device
 motifs / symbols / analogies
 tone / mood
 imagery
Marking and Note-Taking Tips (optional):
 Use one color ink (or sticky notes) to do initial marking while reading; then, go back with
another color or colors to mark more thoroughly once you have finished a larger section,
have had time to think about it, and are able to see development of images, etc., more
clearly.
 As chapter or sections end, stop to index page numbers on your front cover list of
character information and traits as well as on your back cover list of themes, images,
allusions, etc.
 Do underlining as you read and side margin notes as you finish a page or two.
 Add to side margin notes during class discussion also.
Some suggested ABBREVIATIONS / SYMBOLS
b/c = because
+ = and
W/ = with
W/O = without
b/t = between
ex = example
info = information
b4 = before
UP arrow = increase, improvement, rising
action
DOWN arrow = decrease, decline, falling
action
* = important
** = very important
*** = of the utmost importance, crucial to
understanding
< = use caret to point to an exact location
 change
TH = theme
LT = literary term (identify the term by name
– irony, tone, foreshadowing,
personification, metaphor, symbol, etc.)
Final Thoughts on Annotation
I expect you to think critically about what you are reading. While the amount of annotation may
vary widely from page to page, any notes you add to a text will help you to read more critically
and help you return to the reading with confidence later. Annotation is a discrete skill, and like
any skill, it takes significant practice to hone your ability to the point of acquiring expertise. So…
Push the pencil! Push the pencil! Push the pencil!
Annotation Grading Rubric
A
o
o
o
o
o
Text is marked throughout.
Words and phrases are marked, and commentary and notations appear in the margins
that indicate a response to the words and phrases marked.
Marginalia (comments in the margin) reflect application of literary terms, questioning,
summarizing, and analysis.
Annotations accurately identify purpose and themes of the work.
Reader has identified unfamiliar vocabulary and attempted to define those words.
B
o
o
o
o
o
Text is marked throughout.
Longer passages (entire sentences/entire paragraphs) are the primary element
annotated.
Commentary and notations in margins appear less frequently or do not respond directly
to the passage annotated. Marginalia may be primarily summary or paraphrased
statement with some attempt at analysis.
Annotations may not accurately identify purpose or themes of text.
Reader may have identified unfamiliar vocabulary but did not attempt to define the
words.
C-D
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Text is not consistently marked throughout.
Random passages appear to be marked; passages selected often have no real
significance.
Annotated passages may be very long or very short.
Annotations include little/no marginalia or marginalia that is characterized by plot level
questions or simplistic summary.
Annotations include little/no attempt to identify themes/purpose of text.
Annotations include little/no recognition of unfamiliar vocabulary.
Annotations do not reflect careful reading of the text; annotations do not reflect
interaction between the reader and the text.
F
Annotated text is not submitted on time. Without an annotated test, you cannot take the
Book Report Test. Therefore, you will really earn two ZERO grades.