You Are an Annotator is the foundation course of The Annotation Academy. It introduces annotation as a genre — a synthesis of reading, thinking, writing, and communication — and invites learners to recognize, practice, and share annotation in their everyday lives. By the end of this course, learners will understand annotation not as an esoteric academic concern but as a familiar, powerful, and deeply social literacy practice.
Define annotation broadly and recognize it across diverse texts and contexts
Identify the five functions of annotation: providing information, sharing commentary, sparking conversation, expressing power, and aiding learning
Use social annotation tools to collaboratively read and discuss texts online
Reflect on your own annotation practices and their connection to broader literacy traditions
Participate in a community of annotators through shared reading and public writing