Video summary

How to annotate text while reading

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / concepts

  • Annotating text means taking notes directly on a text (in a book, article, or similar material).
  • The purpose isn’t just homework compliance; the central goal is deeper understanding of what you read.

How annotating helps

  1. Keeps you awake and engaged (reduces “fake reading syndrome,” where you think you read but didn’t really process it).
  2. Processes information while reading, not just after.
  3. Slows reading down, which improves comprehension and retention.
  4. Makes later review faster, because annotations can be reread instead of rereading the entire text.

Methodology: 11 annotation techniques

  1. Circle unfamiliar words, then look them up and write the definitions.
    • Suggested “hack”: use the dictionary.com app for quick lookup (with your phone kept nearby).
  2. Use question marks to mark areas of uncertainty (e.g., “What?”).
  3. Use stars for what seems important, such as:
    • themes
    • symbols
    • foreshadowing
  4. Use exclamation points for dramatic moments or key turning points you may want to revisit.
  5. Mark character names as they are introduced (speaker mentions using a chosen shape; includes an example of circling/using a “trapezoid” shape).
  6. Maintain a character list somewhere (e.g., inside the cover) including characters and their traits, updating it as new characters appear or more traits are learned.
  7. Write notes in the margins (recommended), or use sticky notes (okay), or a separate notebook (least favorable—especially if you don’t have access to the text).
  8. Paraphrase/summarize after each chapter:
    • write a few-sentence summary
    • place it at the beginning or end of the chapter
    • do it right after reading the chapter, not much later
  9. Write down questions about the text:
    • questions you’ll wait to answer as you read further, and/or
    • questions to bring to your teacher the next day
  10. Use a color-coded system (if that style works for you).
  11. Title each chapter yourself:
    • the title should be the main idea or a main event statement
    • if the chapter already has a title (often “catchy” but not helpful), still create your own more meaningful one.

Tips for different formats (books vs. tablets)

  • If reading on a tablet/iPad, annotating is still possible using apps that allow:
    • circling, underlining, highlighting, doodling, etc.
  • Example mentioned: “I annotate PDF” (note: the speaker says it may require payment and may have changed).

Guidance on how to think while annotating

  • Annotations should represent your thoughts and your interaction with the author/characters/story.
  • Avoid notes that only sound “smart” to please a teacher. Capture what you genuinely think or feel, such as:
    • “Huh, why’d that happen?”
    • “That’s awesome.”
    • “That’s not a good sign.”

Cautions / best-practice boundaries

  • Annotation is a developing skill:
    • early on, you may annotate less because you don’t know what to mark yet—use the 11 techniques to guide yourself.
  • Avoid over-highlighting/over-marking:
    • underlining or highlighting everything makes it hard for anything to stand out.
  • Don’t annotate all the time:
    • for pleasure reading, just relax and read.
    • for favorite magazines/memes, you don’t need to turn it into a “job.”

Overall lesson

Annotating can improve comprehension, engagement, and retention, and makes later review easier—when done thoughtfully (not excessively) and aligned with your real understanding.

Speakers / sources featured

  • Katie Azito (from schoolhabits.com) — main speaker/author of the guidance.
  • dictionary.com — referenced as a tool/app for looking up word definitions.

Original video