1
Mark a text
Add notes identifying claims, evidence, structure, or unfamiliar terms.
Example
Students annotated the article by marking claims and evidence.
annotate
/ˈænəteɪt/ · AN-uh-taytverb
To add notes that explain, clarify, or analyse a text or image.
Use annotate when a reader or editor adds purposeful notes identifying claims, evidence, context, definitions, or interpretation.
What annotate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Supply historical context
Add explanations that help readers understand references or background.
Example
The editor annotated the manuscript with historical explanations.
3
Label data or images
Attach identifying or interpretive information to visual material.
Example
Researchers annotated each image with species and location data.
Use annotate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The editor annotated the manuscript with historical explanations.
Students carefully annotated the article before discussing its argument.
The digital archive provides a heavily annotated edition of the letters.
Precision Matters
Annotate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
annotate
vs.Adds notes directly to a source for explanation or analysis.
comment
Broadly expresses an observation or opinion.
annotate
vs.Adds explanatory content as well as visual marking.
highlight
Draws attention to selected material without necessarily explaining it.
annotate
vs.Adds notes while leaving the original source intact.
edit
Changes or prepares the original content itself.
annotate
vs.Works alongside the source at specific points.
summarise
Condenses the source's main ideas into a shorter account.
Test annotate in Context
They must add explanatory and analytical notes to the text.
1
Before evaluating the article, students were asked to ___ it by labelling each claim, its supporting evidence, and unfamiliar terminology.