Annotating. If you are like I was years ago you may be asking... what exactly does that mean? When I started college, I quite honestly did not remember hearing that term. Maybe it had been a long time, maybe it was just never used. All I know is that I had been annotating in my books long before I ever heard the word. For those that may not know what the word specifically means, Merriam-Webster dictionary says that annotating means to “make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comment” (Merriam-Webster). In other words, to annotate means to take notes on what you’re reading whether it be facts, personal thoughts, or marking significant places in the text.
Throughout my childhood I was taught the importance of being a good notetaker and a good reader. But why is annotating part of being a “good reader/learner?” Below are 5 reasons why...
Annotating Helps You Pay Attention
When you are taking notes, looking out for things to mark or for things you may not understand, you are forced to actively engage with what you’re reading. In order to annotate you have to pay attention.
Highlighting key points, underlining important things, or writing down notes all help you create a mental connection to what you’re reading.
It Helps You Interact with the Text
Annotating allows you to have an ongoing dialogue with the text, making the experience more interactive. By expressing your personal thoughts, opinions, and reflections, or things you’ve learned in the margins, you can develop a personal connection to the material. In the end, doing this will deepen your engagement and encourage critical thinking.
Annotating Helps You Grasp the Meaning and Significance of What You're Reading
Making note of what you don’t understand- perhaps a concept, a word, etc. All help you grasp what you’re reading. This process deepens your comprehension and helps you make sense of the information you’re receiving.
It Helps You Summarize the Text
Annotating allows you to summarize the main points or key arguments within the text. Learning to condense information and ideas is important and the most efficient way to do this is through annotation. That way you can breakdown what you’re reading/learning.
Increases Retention
Along with being able to summarize a book, this also allows you to retain information. Interacting with the text by highlighting, underlining, or taking notes is a good way to remember details.
In Summary
Annotating is a valuable technique that helps you pay attention, understand the text, summarize information, increase retention, and interact more meaningfully with the material you're reading. By incorporating annotation into your reading process, you can enhance your comprehension, critical thinking skills, and long-term knowledge retention. Annotation effectively transforms passive reading into an active process, enhancing your ability to retain knowledge.
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References
“Annotate Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annotate. Accessed 17 July 2023.
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