How to annotate text while reading

Summary

Katie Azevedo from schoolhabits.com presents a video on the importance of annotating text for a deeper understanding of material. She outlines 11 annotation techniques, such as circling unfamiliar words, using stars for important points, and writing summaries after chapters. Katie advises to experiment with these techniques to find what works best, ensuring notes reflect personal thoughts and interactions with the text. She also cautions against over-annotating, which can make notes less effective.

Takeaways

• 📚 Annotating is a crucial skill for understanding texts deeply, whether it's a book or an article.
• 📝 Annotating means taking notes directly on the text to engage with it and improve comprehension.
• 🔍 Annotating helps you stay engaged, process information better, and reduce 'fake reading'.
• ⏳ Slowing down while annotating increases retention and helps you understand the text more clearly.
• 🌟 Using symbols like stars, exclamation points, and question marks can help mark important elements or uncertainties.
• 📖 Writing chapter summaries or giving chapters your own titles improves understanding and recall.
• 💡 Creating a color-coded system can enhance your annotation process if you find it helpful.
• 🖊️ Your notes should reflect your true thoughts and interaction with the material, not just what sounds smart.
• ⚖️ Balance is key—avoid underlining or highlighting everything, as it defeats the purpose.
• ☕️ You don’t need to annotate everything; for pleasure reading, it's okay to just relax and enjoy.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Katie Azevedo's video?

The main focus of Katie Azevedo's video is teaching viewers how to annotate text while reading, which is a fundamental school habit that can enhance comprehension and retention of the material.

Why is annotating text considered beneficial for reading comprehension?

Annotating text is beneficial because it leads to a deeper understanding of the material, keeps the reader engaged and awake, helps process the information as it is being read, slows down reading pace which can improve comprehension, and allows for quick retrieval of information later on.

What are the four major benefits of annotating text as mentioned in the video?

The four major benefits are: 1) It keeps you awake and engaged, reducing the chances of 'fake reading syndrome'. 2) It helps you process the information as you read. 3) It slows down your reading pace, which can increase comprehension and retention. 4) It serves as a quick reference for finding information later.

What is 'fake reading syndrome' as coined by Katie Azevedo?

'Fake reading syndrome' refers to the phenomenon where a person thinks they are reading and comprehending the material, but in reality, they are not fully engaged and thus not truly understanding what they are reading.

What are some of the annotation techniques suggested by Katie Azevedo?

Some annotation techniques suggested are: circling unfamiliar words, using question marks for uncertainty, using stars for important points, using exclamation points for dramatic points or key turning points, circling character names when introduced, keeping a list of characters and their traits, writing notes in the margins or on sticky notes, paraphrasing chapters, writing down questions, using a color-coded system, and giving each chapter a title.

How does Katie recommend finding the definition of unfamiliar words while annotating?

Katie recommends using the dictionary.com app to quickly look up the definition of unfamiliar words on your phone while reading.

What is the purpose of paraphrasing each chapter after reading it?

Paraphrasing each chapter helps in summarizing the main points in a few sentences, which aids in comprehension and retention of the material.

Why is it advised to write down questions while annotating?

Writing down questions helps in identifying areas of confusion or curiosity, which can either be explored further as you read on or discussed with a teacher for clarification.

What is the significance of giving each chapter a title according to the video?

Giving each chapter a title helps in summarizing the main idea or event, which can be more helpful than a catchy title provided by the author, especially for understanding and recalling the content.

How does Katie Azevedo suggest using technology for annotating text on digital devices?

Katie suggests using annotation apps that allow you to circle, underline, highlight, and doodle on digital text. She mentions 'iAnnotate PDF' as an example of such an app.

What caution does Katie give about over-annotating text?

Katie cautions against over-annotating, such as underlining every word or highlighting entire passages, as this can make nothing stand out and defeat the purpose of taking notes.

When should one not annotate text according to Katie Azevedo?

One should not annotate text when reading for pleasure, such as reading a book for enjoyment or an article in a favorite magazine, as it should be a relaxing and joyful experience.