All Annotations of REAP Strategy for Making Notes from Texts[Preview]

saved byMatt Kramer on 2006-08-22

• REAP Strategy for Making Notes from Texts

  
  
  
  

  The REAP strategy was developed for composing annotations of texts. The acronym stands for Read, Encode, Annotate, and Ponder. REAP includes ten varieties of annotations, each focusing on different aspects of a text, that help to improve writing skills, metacognitive awareness, and comprehension of main ideas.
  

  
  

  Read

  
  The first step of the strategy is to read the text!
  
  
  

  Encode

  
  After reading the text, the information is paraphrased by the reader into his/her own words.

  
  
  
  

  Annotate

  
  Annotations are brief summaries of a text that explain and/or critique the text. Different aspects of the text are handled differently when writing annotations. Therefore, there are several types of annotations that may be written for a single text. Ten annotation types is presented below.

  
  
  
  

  Ponder

  
  The reader evaluates the annotation for accuracy and completeness. Consider how the text relates to other readings or related issues.

  
  
  
  

  Annotation Types in the REAP Strategy

  
  The ten annotation types employed with the REAP strategy are described below.

  
  

  
  
  1. Summary Annotation

     
     

     
     
     • The reader's interpretation of the text is given in the summary annotation. Only the most important ideas are included in a clear, succinct summary. Details such as examples, statistics, story plot, and descriptions are not included in the summary annotation.

       
       

     
     
  2. Thesis Annotation

     
     

     
     
     • The thesis annotation is similar to the summary annotation in that the purpose is to clearly state the main idea of the text, answering the question "What is the main point that the author is trying to get across to the reader?" Unlike the summary annotation, the thesis annotation need not be written in complete sentences.

       
       

     
     
  3. Question Annotation

     
     

     
     
     • The reader's interpretation of the main point of the text is given in this type of annotation. That interpretation may or may not coincide with the author's stated or implied thesis. To write the question annotation, answer the question "What question(s) is/are the author trying to answer in the text?" The annotation should be written in question form.

       
       

     
     
  4. Critical Annotation

     
     

     
     
     • In the critical annotation, the reader states his/her position on the author's document. The reader may agree, disagree, or agree partly with the author's position. Three sentences comprise the critical annotation: the first sentence restates the author's main idea, the second sentence gives the reader's response, and the third sentence explains or defends the reader's position.

       
       

     
     
  5. Heuristic Annotation

     
     

     
     
     • This type of annotation mixes the author's and reader's words with respect to the main idea of the text. Written in a stimulating manner, the heurisitic annotation restates the thesis in the author's and reader's words. The former are indicated by quotation marks (") and the latter are set off with brackets ([ ]) in the annotation.
• • Intention Annotation.

    
    

    
    
    • The author's purpose, goal or intention for writing the text is given in the intention annotation. Using knowledge about the author, the author's language and writing style, and your feelings about the text, indicate what you believe the author's reason for writing the text is.

      
      

    
    
  • Motivation Annotation

    
    

    
    
    • In the motivation annotation, the reader speculates on what motivated the author to write the text and to include the facts included in the text. Consider "What kind of person would write something like this?" Use clues in the text to write interpretations about the author.

      
      

    
    
  • Probe Annotation

    
    

    
    
    • Questions, practical points, and issues in the text that deserve further explanation are given in the probe annotation. The reader should ask "About what do I want to know more?" and "Why is this so?"

      
      

    
    
  • Personal View Annotation

    
    

    
    
    • The reader is given the opportunity to draw upon his/her personal experiences and background when writing the personal view annotation. Compare beliefs and opinions about the subject with those of the author. Consider similarities and differences in your and the author's opinions.

      
      

    
    
  • Inventive Annotation

    
    

    
    
    • Focusing on the conclusion of the text, draw upon your creativity to write a new and different ending to the reading based on the author's ideas. Pick up where the author left off. Plunge yourself into the subject and see where it leads you!