Why should you annotate texts?

• It can help you learn words you may not know

• It can help focus your reading

• It helps you remember what you read

• It help you make sense of what you read

• It makes it easier to navigate and pull evidence from a text

​Jefferson Annotation Steps

Step #1 Number the paragraphs

• Try to do as class/group

• This help you find important information quickly

  • For Example, Discussions, assignments, and essays.

Step #2 Set a purpose for your reading

• Why are you reading this text?

• What are you looking for?

• What task will you have to complete?

Step #3 Circle unknown vocabulary

• One of the easiest ways to increase your reading ability and overall knowledge is through vocabulary.

• Try and use context clues to help determine the definition.

• Don't ignore unknown words! Address them and build up your own vocabuary skills!

Step #4 Box Academic vocabulary

• Box words that may be important to your task (purpose) and your subject area.

• This applies to all subjects: English, Math, Social Studies, Science, etc.

Step #5 Underline the Evidence

• Think about your reading purpose:

• What will be important?

• Underline the evidence:

Step # 6 Ask Questions

• Questions are beginning of knowledge.

• You WILL NOT be able to understand everything you read...

• Neither can I

• Questions can be used to clear up confusion or to deepen your understanding