What does annotation mean?
Word: Annotation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Annotation means a note added to a book, text or picture to explain it; also the act of adding such notes.
Synonyms: note, footnote
How do you spell annotation?
Syllables: an - no - ta - tion
Tricky part: The double n at the front is the usual slip: anotation, with one n, is wrong.
Watch out for: anotation, annotaition
Memory tip: Once the double n is in place it never changes: annotated, annotating and annotations all keep nn at the start.
Annotation in a sentence
Example 1: My copy of the novel is full of my brother's old annotations.
Example 2: The museum app adds a short annotation to every exhibit.
Example 3: Careful annotation of the map helped the hikers find the stream.
Fun Fact
In computer science, annotation also names the work of labelling thousands of photographs so that a program can learn to recognise cars, trees or faces.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
annottation
a) t
b) i
c) n
d) o
Show answer
a) t. The t after the o stands alone; only the n at the start is doubled.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word annotation as used in the sentence:
The teacher's annotation in the margin of my essay said the ending needed more detail.
a) mistake
b) heading
c) signature
d) comment
Show answer
d) comment. An annotation in a margin is a comment on the text; it is not a signature or a heading.
Spell-o-Spell
One of these words is misspelt. Choose what it means.
1. annotasion 2. bibliography 3. paragraph 4. punctuation
a) a note added to explain part of a text
b) a list of the books used in writing something
c) the marks such as commas used in writing
d) a section of writing that begins on a new line
Show answer
a) a note added to explain part of a text. The shun sound at the end is spelt tion, as in punctuation, which sits correctly in the same list.
Mingle-Mangle
Choose the word that the jumbled letters in the sentence make:
Grandma's old cookbook has a handwritten ntoannatoi on almost every page.
a) imitation
b) intonation
c) annotation
d) innovation
Show answer
c) annotation. Intonation has two i's and only one a, innovation needs a v, and imitation an m; the letters fit annotation.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. You would most expect to find annotations in ____.
a) a sealed packet of glucose biscuits
b) a brand-new notebook with blank pages
c) a student's revision copy of a novel
d) a train ticket bought at the counter
Show answer
c) a student's revision copy of a novel
2. A map with annotations is easier to use because ____.
a) it is smaller than other maps
b) it explains what the marks on it mean
c) it is printed on thicker paper
d) it is drawn without any colours
Show answer
b) it explains what the marks on it mean
