Reading Critically and Annotating
Use pencil and write in the margins of the text
1.) Preview the text
a. Genre—book, essay, news article, web site, poem, etc.
b. Title—what does it tell you about content and purpose?
c. Organization—headings, subheadings, major sections?
d. Sources—what sources are listed in bib or index? What do these sources tell us about the info the writer will draw on?
Note all of these preview on the first page of the text.
2.) Look up unfamiliar terms and concepts in a dictionary, encyclopedia, in the article’s works cited or reference page.
3.) SLOW DOWN—read and reread BEFORE annotating.
4.) Annotate the text to clarify and respond to its content.
a. Content: Explain concepts, main points, argument, etc. in your own words.
b. Context: Look at the organization of the text: thesis, counterargument, use of sources, etc.
c. Response notes: What is your response? Does it tick you off? Do you agree? Does the text raise any questions? Write them down.
Notes on annotation: Practice makes perfect. The more you read critically the more annotation will become a natural reaction. Homework is important practice, so it is essential you annotate the articles you will be asked to read in this course. Practice annotation in texts for other classes too because it will help you retain information. In fact, almost all of what you learn in this class you can apply in other classes—in terms of reading critically AND writing academically!
Hot tip: Afraid you won’t get your money back if you write in books you buy for courses? Use PENCIL! Then you can go back and erase your notes before selling them. Also, consider making your annotations in a notebook. Or use Post-it Notes that you can write on and then “stick” to the appropriate page.
Annotation Lecture [3:50m]:
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December 18th, 2007
I’m embarrassed to admit it.
But I have been a Justin Timberlake fan since the glory days of NSYNC.
Sad but true.
Even more sad, for me, is that I have to convince my husband to go with me to a JT show. (Poor guy…)
I would go with my best friend, but she has a ticket through her company’s loge. And there’s not an extra for me.
I’m left no choice but to argue tooth and nail for why we must go to the JT show in Detroit. And I’m thinking if I synthesize sources, I’ll really be able to convince him.
My husband’s a sucker for a good argument!
I’ve started collecting pro-JT materials:
This photo from my friend A’s Camera Phone shows that the production of the show is fabulous. Concert-goers in all seats can “see” JT because the extra large monitors and larger-than-life technologies used by the production company. We won’t have to worry about getting “bad” seats.
This video from YouTube demonstrates JT’s quality choreography and quality sound production at one of his concerts. Both are important criteria for deciding to spend money on a JT tickets.
Finally, I asked my best friend Stokes what she thought of the previous JT concerts she’s been to: “Going to a JT show is totally worth the money. It’s an experience rather than a show. JT works the crowd really well, and when he can, he brings special guests on the stage, like at the Cleveland show Lebron James got on stage and busted some moves. It was cool.”
After gathering all this research, now I need to synthesize it to really make a strong argument to my husband.
My plan is this:
I will make him a fantastic dinner–one of his favs–duck in berry sauce–I’ve got to appeal to my audience, right?
Then when he’s all full and happy, I will very sweetly mention the upcoming JT show. Then, very convincingly and kindly, I will state that we should go to this show. (If you look at it from an essay perspective, saying we should go to the show is my thesis…)
My first reason for going will be that show will be visually exciting. After I butter him up with why it’s important for a concert to be theatrical, I’ll support my reason with specific examples from JT shows. I’ll show him A’s colorful picture with the grand big screen, and to further prove my point, I’ll show him the YouTube video which demonstrates the awesome choreography. Both of these sources confirm that a JT show is theatrical and worth going to.
Hopefully, that will convince him. If it doesn’t, though, I’ll just use another reason to convince him.
I’ll explain that JT is a good showman. I’ll have my hubby watch the YouTube video again, and I’ll point out how excited and pumped up JT makes the audience. To further support JT’s crowd-pleasing performance, I’ll share with my husband what my bff Stokes said, “JT works the crowd really well, and when he can, he brings special guests on the stage, like at the Cleveland show Lebron James got on stage and busted some moves. It was cool.” Both of these sources will no doubt prove that JT is a entertaining performer, and that we should go to his show.
I know if I use these the picture, video, and Stokes’ quote together, I can convince him to go to the JT concert with me because my points will be well-explained and well-supported.
And as I said before, my husband greatly admires a well-supported, logical argument, even enough to go to a JT concert if he thinks the argument is valid.
Yes, my husband respects a good argument that much.
And so do I because it gets me what I want–to see JT live!
JT, here we come!
Synthesis Story [0:52m]:
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October 1st, 2007
