Common Core: 12th Grade English Language Arts

This subject focuses on developing advanced reading, writing, and analytical skills essential for college and career readiness.

Study Strategies

Effective Annotation and Note-Taking

Making the Most of Your Reading

Annotation and note-taking are essential strategies for understanding complex texts. By marking important passages, jotting down questions in the margins, and summarizing main ideas, you engage actively with what you read. This helps you remember details, prepare for essays, and participate in class discussions.

Tips for Annotation

  • Highlight or underline key points
  • Write quick notes about characters, themes, or confusing sections
  • Use sticky notes for longer thoughts or questions

Why It Works

These habits turn passive reading into an interactive experience, making learning deeper and more fun.

Examples

  • Using sticky notes to track a novel’s recurring symbols.

  • Summarizing each paragraph of a research article in the margins.