- Use a Pen NOT a highlighter!!!
- Annotate sparingly, if everything is underlined then NOTHING stands out. Less than 25% of a page should be annotated (unless it's a doozy of a page.)
- Annotating is your way of conversing with the author, if you are confused or you are pleased, or angry, whatever-- underline the passage and make a note in the margins.
- If you see recurring phrases or themes, these are likely important to the story-- underline them
- If the title is mentioned in the book-- this is IMPORTANT-- underline where that happens.
- Underline when characters are being described in detail
- Circle unfamiliar words. Unless there is no way to understand the passage without knowing the word's exact meaning, just consider it in context and look it up AFTER your finish the chapter.
- Write brief summary notes at the end of chapters, to keep yourself on track.
Check out this site on the WHY'S and HOW'S of Annotating.
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/197454.html
