What is Annotating?

1
What is Annotating?

• To annotate means to add markings, notes,
  questions, comments, observations, etc. to the
  text you are reading.
• When annotating you should identify main points,
  summarizing them in concise statements using your
  own words.
• You should underline key words, write meanings
  and clarifications in the margins for vocabulary
  words and various concepts, ask questions about
  the material you read, answering them as you
  read, and jot down anything that strikes you as
  being important.
• Annotating is more than underlining. It is
  thinking about the material you read.

2
Why Annotate?

• The textbook is a learning tool and should be
  used as such.
• It is your job to wade through the text,
  selecting the most important points that need to
  be remembered.
• Marking in the textbook itself is faster than
  summarizing, outlining, or note taking, and since
  your material and personal reactions are all in
  one place (in the margin and on the text page),
  you can view them at a glance for study rather
  than refer to separate notebooks or pieces of
  paper.