ok so today im telling my tricks and tips on annotating your books without writing in them i suggest watching this video and reading this article they gave me a better understanding of annotating why to do it.

i annotate to get a better understanding of what i read and it makes doing reviews so much easier i can quickly identify favorite scenes, quotes, identify themes and other literary devices. Along with that, i write detailed chapter analysis also write about the themes in detail and in which chapters i see them the most. 

How I Set Up My Jornal

i sometimes set up my journals differently sometimes ill include a section for chapter analysis sometimes i won't it depends on the person. The first thing i do is set up my Annotating key if you prefer writing in the book you don't have to have a journal you can simply set up your guide on the first page of the book but for those who don't sin by writing inside a journal us the first page/cover. after i finish my guide i either divide my notebook into 2-3, 2 if you're not marking your themes or doing a chapter analysis only marking quotes and other tagged scenes, 3 if you are.  after dividing and labeling my sections i am done i start reading and annotating immediately it helps me understand and connect with the book more  

My Tips 

1. Use colorful tabs (helpful if you can't write in the book

Trying to learn how to annotate a book without writing in it? This is your method. One of the lowest-pressure ways to annotate your book is by using tabs. While this is the least permanent method, you will have to remember to carry around your pack of tabs wherever you carry your book. There are a few ways to approach annotation via tabs:

Color-code your tabs to correspond to favorite quotes, dialogue that makes you laugh, scenes that make you cry, etc.

Use sticky notes to write down reactions to the text.

Just stick a tab on any and all sections you like - why complicate?

     2.      Make a key and use symbols

Similar to the approach of using color-coded tabs, symbol-based annotation is a simple and cheap way to interact with the text. Come up with a personal book annotation key for yourself and assign symbols for favorite quotes (underline), favorite passages (asterisks), confusing passages (question mark), funny dialogue (smiley face), etc

     3.       Annotate fast, like a student

All grades and subjects will teach annotation differently, but here are some basic practices to annotate like a student:

Underline main ideas or claims the author is making. What should you be taking away from this book? What do you want to remember when you flip through it again?

Circle words you don't know and (optionally) define them in the margin.

Put stars next to anything that gives you pause - either positive or negative. This can be anything that makes you stop and think. If you'd like, write notes on what the text made you ponder or questions

        4.      TALK TO THE TEXT

Finally, as you read, write your thoughts, comments, and reactions in the margin as if you were responding to the story or author.

You can throw in other styles of annotations if you'd like (circling words, underlining phrases) - this method is all about interacting with the book on a personal level. Looking back at your annotations, you will be able to remember exactly how a book impacted you at that moment in your life.

Annotating book is something personal and customizable for every reader. Try to avoid putting pressure on yourself and have some fun with it! What ways do you annotate your text?