Genre
When annotating this genre, I look for plot, theme, and stage directions.
Drama
The bin of potatoes in the cellar was replete; we would not run out of food all winter. What does replete mean and what context clues did you use?
This play is divided into two scenes because — What does the question want you to know or do? What reading skill is used?
To know why the play is divided into scenes. This is inference or drawing a conclusion.
The Wizard of Oz A. Kansas is boring. B. There's no place like home. C. Somewhere over the rainbow... D. Wear red shoes to protect yourself.
There's no place like home.
The shelves were piled high with boxes of every size and shape. Each group had a different picture and different bright colors. There were so many people – men and women, mothers with little children, teenagers putting more boxes on the shelves. Some of the people were talking together as they chose the boxes and cans that they wanted. Jeff was having a hard time remembering which one to buy. He knew that Tooli wouldn’t be happy if he brought home the wrong brand! He also knew that Tooli was probably getting very hungry! Where was Jeff?
A grocery store
When annotating this genre, I look for figurative language, sensory language, and meaning.
Poetry
The conspicuous man wore a purple wig and large sunglasses. Does conspicuous mean...easily noticed, beautiful, or sleeping?
Easily noticed
The poet uses the figurative expression “learned them by heart” to emphasize that the speaker — What does the question want you to know or do? What does the phrase mean?
Why the author used the figurative language and what it means. It means the character memorized something.
Star Wars saga A. Always carry a light saber. B. Learn how to defend yourself. C. Good wins out over evil. D. The future is cool.
Good wins out over evil
Jeff filled up a big bowl with fresh, cold water and set it on the floor. He brought out a big comforter and put it on the floor next to the low window. He opened a package, took out a big bone and placed it on the floor next to the comforter. Then he opened the window so that the gentle breeze could blow into the room. What was Jeff doing?
Getting a place ready for a dog.
Name 4 sub genres of fiction? What do you look for when annotating fiction?
Historical, realistic, science, fantasy, mystery. Look for ploy, character analysis, and the message.
Please nullify our agreement; I am not interested anymore. What does nullify mean and what context clues did you use?
By organizing paragraph 3 sequentially, the author is able to — What does the question want you to know or do? What reading skill is used?
The question wants you to understand why the author organized the paragraph in sequential order. This is author's purpose.
Beauty and the Beast A. Don't go in dark, mysterious castles. B. Some people are pretty, but some aren't. C. Don't look in the mirror too often. D. Don't judge people by how they look.
Don't judge people by how they look
Justin grabbed the leash and quickly put it around Tooli’s neck. He stormed out the door with Tooli coming right behind. He said, “Hurry up, Tooli. You’re always so slow.” Justin kept his head down and walked quickly down the road, not speaking to anyone that he saw. How does Jeff probably feel?
Mad or angry. He 'stormed' out the door and didn't talk to anyone.
What is literary nonfiction? List three reasons to annotate literary nonfiction.
The story of someone's life: biography and autobiography. Look for structure: classification or sequential order, main idea and detail, and stigmatization.
The laceration on the boy’s finger was not bad – it only needed 2 stitches. What does laceration mean and what context clues did you use?
Cut or wound. It only needed two stitches.
Both selections suggest that — What does the question want you to know or do? What genre of text would this question appear on?
The question is asking the reader to find a similarity between two texts. This is common with paired passages.
In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history. What is the theme? What happens that makes you believe that?
Never give up, dedication pays off. Jordan could have quit basketball but he continued playing and became on of the best players in history.
Lisa carefully examined the bug sitting on the leaf. She noticed that it had six legs and a hard shell. Lisa had never seen a bug like this before. She grabbed her magnifying glass and camera. What is the MOST LIKELY conclusion you can draw about Lisa? Give evidence to support your answer.
She is very curious. She wanted to get a closer look at the bug.
Name the 5 sub genres of traditional literature. What elements do you look for when annotating traditional literature?
Fable, myth, legend, fairy tale, tall tale. Look for plot, character analysis, and THEME.
The spire on top of the church was so tall that it stuck up above the rooftops surrounding the church for all to see. What does spire mean and what context clues did you use.
The tallest point on a building. it towered over everything else, it was on top of a church
Which sentence from the story best shows that the main character realizes that he has been an irresponsible? What does the question want you to know or do? What reading skill is being used and how do you know?
The question wants the reader to pick which sentence from the text shows that the character has been irresponsible. This is an inference question because it says "best shows".
Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After explaining her situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she spilled grape soda all over her assignment. What is the theme? What happens that makes you believe that?
Respect other's property, choose your partners carefully. Missy ruins Katie's property and had to work alone.
Lauren looked at her watch, grabbed her books and ran to the bus stop. When she got to the bus stop, she realized she forgot her lunch. Lauren ran back to the house and grabbed her lunchbox. When Lauren got back to the bus stop, she realized she missed the bus. What word would best describes Lauren? Give evidence to support your answer.
Disorganized, confused. She was late, forgot her lunch, and missed the bus.