Reading Annotation Assignment
Bryant-Richards
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse
Purpose of the assignment: Annotating is an important
skill to employ if you want to
read critically. Successful critical readers read with
a pencil in their hand, making notes
in the text as they read. Instead of reading passively,
they create an active relationship
with what they are reading by "talking back"
to the text in its margins. The concept of
discourse means that readers, writers, thinkers, speakers,
and audiences engage in a
dialogue to make meaning, to communicate, to argue, and
to persuade. Reading is a
foundation of life-long learning and a passionate endeavor
for many. I designed this
assignment to encourage engaged reading throughout the
quarter.
Assignment: Use the three-step strategy we discussed in
class. Print out the reading and
engage the author. I recommend using a dark pen for this
assignment, even though when
you annotate most reading, you will do so in pencil or
with highlighter. On the reading
itself:
-jot a note about the author.
-notate the thesis and main points of the reading.
-underline key terms and unfamiliar words (and look them
up!).
-underline important ideas and memorable images.
-write questions or comments in the margin.
-jot any notes about personal experiences related to the
reading.
-mark confusing or unclear passages or parts that warrant
rereading.
-make a note of any sources used.
Due: hard copy due; see current syllabus for due dates