What exactly does it mean to annotate a document?

Question

If I'm asked to annotate something, like an excerpt from a poem, a random document, or whatever, what does that exactly mean?

I never really saw the necessity of it, since I've felt it wastes time, especially if it's on a timed exam, and I'm trying to understand the meaning of the document in the first place.

But if I'm required to do it, what do I do exactly? Do I define words I don't understand, do I circle words which grab my attention, showing the intensity of a phrase or something?

I'm sorry, but I don't see the point of wasting my time to find words with a similar theme, and finding some kind of imagery, when I don't even know what the story is about.

Answer 1

To annotate a document is to "add a note to it". :-) You will be clarifying that portion or all, of the document.

Answer 2

Annotate Meaning

Answer 3

To annotate is to just add a notation that will add to your paper in some way or clarify a point. It adds to the understanding of the reader. For example I'm reading an autobiography of Helen Keller and at times she talks about someone in her life that was probably well known back in her time but not now. So there's often an annotation letting me know to whom she's referring.

Answer 4

To annotate a passage or so is to write explanatory note beside da sentence,word,phrase,etc . Students do that while teachers explain on their text books.

Answer 5

Annotate simply means to give credit for your sources of information in an essay, term paper, etc. like a footnote (for this, put author's name like it should be--John Smith, etc.) or in the bibliography at the end (author's name--reversed in the bibliography so it can be put in alphabetical order; name of publication, novel, article, etc; city where published, publisher and date; and pages used. EXAMPLE: without quotes, however
" Smith, John. My Life (underline titles). New York, NY: Penguin Publishers, 1995; pp. 1-25."

Answer 6

It means to highlight the important information and take notes on them. Also, highlight the words that you don't know, look them up, and write down (next to the word(s)) what it/they mean.