Notice & Note Handbook

Get More Out of What You Read

Two educators, Dr. Kylene Beers and Dr. Robert E. Probst, spent years
working with students and reading and rereading the books that
students read most. They identified a handful of common things
authors include in literary and informational texts that signal the reader
to pay attention. They call them signposts. When you notice a signpost
and think about it, you can take control of your own reading.

Jump to Signposts for Literary Texts Jump to Signposts for Informational Texts
Signposts for Literary Texts
such as poetry, plays, and fiction
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Contrasts and Contradictions

Why would
the character
Contrasts and Contradictions occur act (feel) this
either when there is a sharp contrast way?
between what we would expect and what
we observe happening, or when a
character behaves in one way that
contradicts previous behavior or
well-established patterns.

Read carefully and be alert for moments C/C

when a character begins acting or
thinking in a new way, or in a way that
surprises you because it’s not how most
people would react. Words like but or When you notice this signpost
despite can provide clues to these in your reading, annotate the
text with its initials.
differences.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Contrasts and Contradictions Contrasts and

EXAMPLE Contradictions can help
you analyze:
I was drenched, and the canoe was
filling up quickly. Anything in the canoe ● character
that could float was floating. If the rain
development
continued for long or if the wind kept up
strong and the rain kept spilling into the ● internal conflict
canoe, I would sink. But I was not
● theme
worried, hardly more than concerned. In
fact I enjoyed the feeling of the water all ● relationship between
around me and on me, enveloping me
like a cocoon, and despite the drama I setting and plot
felt no real threat. ● mood
C/C
– from Mississippi Solo
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Aha Moment
How might
An Aha Moment occurs when characters this change
realize something that shifts the way things?
they act or what they understand about
themselves, others, or the world.

Be alert for these realizations, because

they often mark important turning
points.
Aha!
Some phrases that can signal an Aha
Moment are:
I realized…
The idea came to me… When you notice this signpost
It occurred to her… in your reading, annotate the
Suddenly he thought he understood… text with the word “Aha”.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Aha Moment Paying attention to Aha

EXAMPLE Moments can help you
analyze:
Alice stared at her mother, but again
her mother avoided her eyes. ● character development
Suddenly Alice thought she ● internal conflict
understood the elaborate cake. She
made it because she felt guilty, Alice ● plot
thought, guilty for thinking way down
deep, that I’m not really the same
daughter she knew before.

– from “Mirror Image”

Aha!
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Tough Questions
Tough Questions are questions characters What does this
question make me
raise that reveal their inner struggles.
wonder about?
Be alert to the times when characters ask
themselves difficult questions, or when
others ask questions that make a character
think hard or feel deeply.
Tough questions are sometimes expressed as
statements, but ones that reveal difficult
trade-offs or hard truths. T?
Some phrases that can signal Tough
Questions are:
Why can’t he… When you notice this signpost
Should she… in your reading, annotate the
What should I tell him… text with this symbol.
I couldn’t figure out whether to…
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Tough Questions Paying attention to Tough

EXAMPLE Questions can help you
The calf legs cooked quickly indeed, and when analyze:
Goha’s wife took the lid off the pot, she saw that they ● internal conflict
were done wonderfully well–so wonderfully well that
the smell of them was sweeter to her than any rose. ● theme
“I’d better taste one,” she told herself. “Just to be sure ● character
they’re done, of course. Just a taste.”
development
Ah, but the meat was tender and perfectly cooked.
She took a second taste, a third. And suddenly there
was nothing more to taste. She had eaten the entire
calf’s leg! The wife worried, “I can’t tell Goha how
greedy I was! But what am I to tell him?”
T?
–from “Two Legs or One?”
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Words of the Wiser

What’s the life
lesson and how
Words of the Wiser are pieces of advice might it affect the
or insights a wiser character, who is character?
usually older, offers about life to the
main character.

Look for moments when a character is

receiving advice or wisdom about how to
deal with a difficult problem or decision.
These moments often occur when a Wise
character is wrestling with an inner
conflict, and the advice can offer clues
to the theme of the story.
When you notice this signpost
in your reading, annotate the
text with the word “wise”.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Words of the Wiser Paying attention to Words

EXAMPLE of the Wiser can help you
Our mom, a.k.a. Dr. Bell, a.k.a. The analyze:
Assistant Principal, ● theme
is talking to some of the teachers
on the other side of the gym. ● internal conflict
I’m feeling better already.
Coach calls us in,
● relationship between
does his Phil Jackson impersonation. character and plot
Love ignites the spirit, brings teams
together, he says.
JB and I glance at each other,
ready to bust out laughing,
but Vondie, our best friend,
beats us to it.
Wise
–from The Crossover
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Again and Again

Why might the
author bring
Again and Again is when events, images, this up again
or particular words recur over a portion and again?
of the story or novel.

Authors include these words, images, or

events Again and Again to:
● reveal things about character
motivation
● offer insight into the story’s theme Again
● make connections between elements
of the plot
● help create the story’s mood
When you notice this signpost
in your reading, annotate the
text with the word “Again”.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Again and Again Paying attention to Again and

EXAMPLE Again can help you analyze:
Lucy truly loved the words pocket park. ● plot
She loved community gardeners with purple ● setting
bandannas tied around their heads. She
loved their wild projects–rosemary grown so
● symbolism
big you could hide in it. ● theme
She loved roofs paved with grass. ● character development
She loved the man in New York City–Robert ● conflict
Isabell–who planted pink impatiens on the
metal overhang of his building. ● mood

–from “Allied with Green” Again

 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Memory Moment
Why might this
A Memory Moment occurs when a character
memory be
has a recollection that interrupts the forward important?
progress of the story.

Be alert for places where the character is

thinking about something that occurred at an
earlier time. These moments can:
● provide insight into the current situation
● explain character motivation
● offer insight into the theme of the story MM
Some phrases that can signal a Memory
Moment are:
She remembered the first time she…
When you notice this signpost
The photo reminded him of when…
in your reading, annotate the
I recalled the last time I had… text with its initials.
Back then they had…
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Memory Moment Paying attention to

EXAMPLE Memory Moments can
Almost half an hour passed, and he finally broke help you analyze:
down and sobbed. His right fist was bloody from
● character
the constant pounding. Why hadn’t he gone below
to make the stupid sandwiches? Scoot would have development
been at the wheel when the wave grasped the Sea
Dog. His young sister, with all her life to live, would
● theme
be alive now. ● plot
They’d had been a good brother-sister relationship. ● relationship between
He’d teased her a lot about being pint-sized and
character and plot
she’d teased back, holding her nose when he
brought one girl or another home for display…
–from Rogue Wave
MM
Signposts for Informational Texts
such as articles and arguments
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Big Questions
When you read any informational text or argument, it’s important to remember that the author
is presenting only one version of the truth. This version may be factual and mostly free of bias,
or it may include slanted, overstated, or even untrue claims or descriptions. Either way, you
have to think critically about the author’s relationship to the topic. That’s why it’s important to
approach these texts from a Questioning Stance, or position. To do that, keep these three Big
Questions in mind as you read:

● What surprised me?

● What did the author think I already knew?
● What changed, challenged, or confirmed what I already knew?

These questions will not only help you evaluate what you read and avoid falling for things that
aren’t entirely true, they will also help make the things you read more interesting. In addition,
they can help you get to the root of things that might confuse you.
N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Big Questions
The chart below gives more detail about one of the Big Questions.

What surprised me? Look for parts of the text that make you think “really!?”, and put
an exclamation point there.

You might think:

● “I didn’t know that!”
● “Really? Is that true?”
● “Oh! Now I get it.”
● “How could anyone think that way?” or “I hadn’t thought if
it that way.”

!
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Big Questions
The chart below gives more detail about one of the Big Questions.

What did the author Look for places where the language is tough or where the
think I already knew? author is writing about things you don’t know much about, and
put a question mark there.

You might think:

● “The author thought I’d know what this word means.”
● “The author thought I could picture this.”
● “The author thought I’d know something about this.”
● “The author thought I’d get how this happens.”

?
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Big Questions
The chart below gives more detail about one of the Big Questions.

What changed, Look for ideas that change your thinking. Put a C by those
challenged, or places.
confirmed what I
You might think:
already knew?
● “I realize now...”
● “This makes me rethink my opinion about…”
● “That supports what I already thought.”

C
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Contrasts and Contradictions

Contrasts and Contradictions occur either What is the
when the author shows you how ideas, difference,
things, events, or people differ from one and why does
another, or when you come across it matter?
something that goes against what you
would have expected.

To help you find Contrasts and

Contradictions within the text, look for
signal words and phrases such as: CC
although instead of nevertheless
but/unlike however otherwise

For Contrasts and Contradictions between

the text and your own expectations, be on When you notice this signpost
the lookout for things that surprise you as in your reading, annotate the
text with its initials.
you read.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Contrasts and Contradictions

EXAMPLE Related Reading Skills:
When our standard of living is ● compare and contrast
threatened by scarcity and side effects, ● generalize
you’d think we’d cut back. Instead, the
common response is the maintain it at ● identify main idea
any cost. Bluefin tuna is in steep ● infer
decline, but the tuna-loving Japanese
are catching all they can. We know our
● identify cause and
freshwater aquifers are limited, but effect
we’re draining them faster rather than
● identify details
slower….

CC ● understand author’s
–from “Never Retreat”
purpose or bias
N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Extreme or Absolute Language

Extreme or Absolute Language occurs when the
author uses language that leaves no room for doubt,
allows for no questions, and may seem to exaggerate
Why did the author or overstate a claim.
use this language?
This language includes words such as:
all must totally every no one
perfectly always never unarguably
It can also include dramatic phrases intended to
cause a strong reaction, such as “blood-sucking
monster,” “absolutely destroy,” or “it is imperative.”

XL When you notice Extreme or Absolute Language,

pause and think. The author might be expressing
strong feelings, or they may be overstating things
When you notice this or even trying to mislead the reader. This language
signpost in your reading, can reveal things about the author’s purpose or bias.
annotate the text with
this symbol.
N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Extreme or Absolute Language

EXAMPLE Related Reading Skills: For decades, science-fiction novels,
movies, and TV shows fired our curiosity.
● draw conclusions
After the real-life Apollo 11’s moon
● generalize mission in 1969, enthusiasm for new
discoveries soared. Now, well into the
● identify author’s point of
twenty-first century, we must face the
view fact that these same questions are still
● identify main idea unanswered. With so much human
investment made, we must go forward,
● infer fully embracing space exploration as an
● recognize hyperbole important priority. Our future in space
depends on science.
● identify cause & effect
–from “Humans Need to Explore Outer
● identify author’s purpose Space”
or bias XL
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Numbers and Stats

Why did the
Numbers and Stats occur either when author use these
authors use specific figures to show numbers or
amounts, size, or scale, or when they are amounts?
vague when you would have expected
more details.
Some key words that may show when an
author is being vague include:
many some longer farther
most bigger oldest
#
When you notice Numbers and Stats,
pause. Think about why the author may
have chosen to use or leave out specific
When you notice this signpost
figures in describing something. in your reading, annotate the
text with this symbol.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Numbers and Stats Related Reading Skills:

EXAMPLE ● draw conclusions

Every year, the world spends $800 billion ● find facts

on the military, $400 billion on ● generalize
cigarettes, $160 billion on beer, and $40
billion playing golf. It would only cost an ● identify details
extra $7 billion a year to put every child ● infer
in school by the year 2010, giving them
● make comparisons
hope for a better life. This is less money
than Americans spend on cosmetics in ● recognize evidence
one year; it is less than Europeans
● understand author’s
spend on ice-cream….
purpose or bias
–from “Craig Kielburger Reflects on
Working Toward Peace”
#
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Quoted Words
Why was this
person quoted or
Quoted Words occur when the author cited and what
cites or quotes a person or group to did this add?
provide support for a point. Authors
often include opinions or conclusions from
people who are experts on a topic or from
people who were participants in or
witnesses to events.

When you notice Quoted Words, pause. Quote

Think about why the author may have
chosen to quote this particular person or
group.
When you notice this signpost
in your reading, annotate the
text with the word “Quote”.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Quoted Words Related Reading Skills:

EXAMPLE ● compare & contrast
Once again critics used the tragedy to assert ● draw conclusions
that neither women nor blacks were mentally
or physically able to be good pilots. “Women
● identify author’s point of
are often penalized by publicity for their every view
mishap,” said Amelia Earhart, the most famous
● infer
female pilot in aviation history. “The result is
that such emphasis sometimes directly affects ● identify cause & effect
[a woman’s] chances for a flying job,” Earhart ● separate fact from
continued. “I had one manufacturer tell me
opinion
that he couldn’t risk hiring women pilots
because of the way accidents, even minor ● understand author’s
ones, became headlines in the newspapers.”
purpose or bias
–from “Women in Aviation” Quote
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Word Gaps Can I find clues

in the sentence
Word Gaps occur either when authors use vocabulary to help me
that is unfamiliar or when they use familiar words in understand the
ways that are new to you. Authors of informational word?
texts often use words with multiple meanings, technical
or scientific words, or words that are unique to specific
subjects.
Sometimes authors provide clues to these words, such
as putting them in boldfaced or italics or highlighting

WG
them. Other times, authors follow a less-known word
with the phrase is like to help explain it. Many times,
however, the way you identify a Word Gap is simply by
noticing that you’ve come across a word that you don’t
understand.
When you notice this
When you notice Word Gaps, pause. Ask yourself if you signpost in your reading,
need to look the word up or keep reading for more annotate the text with its
information. initials.
 N NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOST

Word Gaps Related Reading Skills:

The city will need energy for heat and electricity. ● generalize
The best sources will be solar, geothermal, and ● identify details
wind, as there’s no oil or gas on Mars. Settlers
will also want to make fuel for trips back home. ● infer
They’ll likely use carbon dioxide from the ● make comparisons
Martian atmosphere to make methane gas. To
do this, they’ll need hydrogen. They could bring ● understand author’s
it from Earth or get it from water found on Mars. purpose or bias
●
WG
use context clues
–from “Martian Metropolis”
● use roots/affixes
● use reference materials