Over the first few weeks, my approach to annotation has changed a lot. Initially, notes were unorganized and confusing, making it hard to use them later in my writing. For example, when annotating “The Hawk,” I would underline large sections and write quick, scattered notes in the margins. This method became frustrating because when I went back to rereading, I couldn’t easily understand what I had meant, and it slowed down my process of finding strong evidence or meaningful quotes. Now, my annotation system is much cleaner and more organized. This change has also influenced how I preview texts. Instead of diving straight into reading, I skim for main themes or arguments first. This helps me frame my reading better and connect my notes to bigger conversations in my writing, rather than just summarizing the content.
Overall, I can already see improvement in my annotation and previewing skills. With more practice and feedback, I’m confident I’ll continue to get better, which will help make my reading responses and essays stronger, clearer, and more connected to the larger ideas we discuss. Embracing this journey of refining my approach is helping me unlock my potential as a reader and writer.
