Whether reading a piece of classic literature or a required school textbook, perhaps the most important question to keep in your mind should be, "What is my purpose?" Once you have a general idea of purpose, your reading will proceed much more effectively and efficiently. For example, maybe you're reading To Kill A Mockingbird because it is a required novel. You can assume that, at some point, you should be prepared to discuss the novel's literary elements. In that case, understanding and analyzing the plot, setting, characters, conflicts, and themes will be your motivation. On the other hand, let's say you have been assigned a chapter entitled, "The Rights of Man," out of your Western Civilization textbook. You will certainly need to be familiar with the basic information presented in the text, such as the development of the English and French constitutional systems during the 17th and 18th centuries. The quest for historical facts will be your foremost concern.

As you read any text, you should be looking to establish your purpose. A handy tool to help focus your reading and thinking is "annotation." Just as the word suggests, "annotation" simply means, "taking notes." Many teachers suggest the use of "highlighting," a more passive activity, as you read through text. While highlighting is an excellent way to begin directing your thoughts, the process of annotating text helps you to stay focused and involved with your textbook. You'll find that the process of taking notes as you read will help you to concentrate better. It will also help you to monitor and improve your comprehension. For example, if you come across something that you don't understand or that you need to ask you teacher about, you'll be able to quickly make note of it, and then go on with your reading.

So, how do you actually go about the process of annotating? Although practice will lead you to your preferred methods, the following is a list of some techniques that you can use to annotate text:

• Underline important terms.
• Circle definitions and meanings.
• Write key words and definitions in the margin.
• Signal where important information can be found with key words or symbols in the margin.
• Write short summaries in the margin at the end of sub-units.
• Write the questions in the margin next to the section where the answer is found.
• Indicate steps in a process by using numbers in the margin.

Denise Paswaters 2006