Nonfiction Analysis Through Annotation Codes Rebecca Stortz University

Nonfiction Analysis Through Annotation Codes Rebecca Stortz University of Texas at San Antonio rebecca. stortz@utsa. edu

What do annotations show? • Evidence of a dialogue within the text • Revelations between the author, text, and reader • Questions and disagreements • Understanding of the text • New insights or ways of thinking Probst, R. E. (1988). Dialogue with a text. The English Journal. (77)1. 32 -38

Author/Writer • Mark any text that: – Shows what the author believes. – Develops the author’s views – Gives you insight into who the author is as a person

Purpose • Mark any text that: – – – Entertains Informs Shocks Persuades Educates Calls to action

Genre • Mark any text that: – Categorizes the writing *This may not be in the text but rather in notes or format

Audience • Mark any text that: – Shows what the author believes – Shows development of the author’s views – Gives you insight into who the author is as a person

Topic • Mark any text that: – Shows what issue, problem, or topic the writing addresses – Underline any major sentences: thesis statement, topic sentences

Context • Mark any text that addresses: – – Timing Location Current events Cultural significance

Benefits of Annotating • Helps students see that reading is a process • Applying annotations changes and deepens comprehension • Annotating slows the reader down • Helps students become active readers Porter-O’Donnell, C. (2004). Beyond the yellow highlighter: Teaching annotation skills to improve reading comprehension. English Journal (93)5. 82 -89.

How can you use this in your classroom?