Annotating Text (Fisher & Frey, 2015)

Annotating is a system of personal codes (e.g., underlining, circling, drawing symbols such
as question marks) and making critical notes directly onto a text. Regardless of the
symbols used, the reader purposefully interacts with the text.

Purpose

Active reading.
Identify important content.
Note taking.
Make connections.
Recall information.
Procedures

1. Students will need:

• A copy of the text
• Pencil with an eraser
• Post-it notes (optional)
• Copy of How to Annotate handout (see pages 52-53)
2. Using the How to Annotate handout, help students preview the text, skimming, reading
headings/subheadings, viewing pictures and captions, and tables or other figures.
3. Read a short portion of the text (a few paragraphs).
4. Ask students to go back to the text they just read and use the annotation guide to help them make
notes on the text (see Annotating Literary Text on page 52 or Annotating Informational Text on
page 53).
• Underline the key ideas and details.
• Circle keywords or phrases that are confusing or unknown to you.
• Square around definitions of keywords.
• Double underline theme or central ideas.
• Use a question mark (?) for questions that you have during the reading. Be sure to write
your question in the margin or on a Post-it note.
• Use an exclamation mark (!) for things that surprise you, and briefly note what it was that
caught your attention.
• Draw an arrow ( ) when you make a connection to something inside the text, or to an idea
or experience outside the text. Briefly note your connections in the margin or on a Post-it
note.
• Mark EX when the author provides an example.
• Numerate arguments, important ideas, or key details and write words or phrases that restate
them in the margin or on a Post-it note.
5. Have students check to see if their annotations make sense. Ask, “Are you adding new text to the
margins? Are you using your own words? Are you adding notes to accompany your symbols?”
6. Repeat steps 3-5 prompting students to make sure their annotated marks make sense.
7. Review annotations with students often (e.g., before tests or quizzes, during discussions, while
writing reports or essays).
8. To support students in becoming expert annotators, distribute copies of the Annotation Bookmarks
(see page 54).

51
Annotating Literary Text
Annotating a text will not only help you remember what you read, but understand and
connect with the text. Use the following symbols along with notes in the margins or on
Post-it notes.

52
Annotating Informational Text
Annotating a text will not only help you remember what you read, but understand and
connect with the text. Use the following symbols along with notes in the margins or on
Post-it notes.

53
54