Organize your supplies. To annotate literature, you will use highlighters, a pen, sticky notes and paper. Keep your supplies in front because you may interchange quite a bit.
Decide on your annotation method. One of the easiest ways to annotate literature is to write in the margins of the book. If the book has been borrowed, you can use sticky notes because they can be removed easily. You also have the option of writing on a separate sheet of paper. As you write, be sure to note the passage and page number you are referencing.
Learn the difference between passive annotations and active annotations. Passive annotations do not require much thought or comprehension. When you make passive annotations, mark passages that stand out as being significant but may not be used later. Because it's easy to get carried away making passive annotations, do your best to avoid excessive highlighting and underlining. You will find active annotations more useful. Annotations that are active serve as written connections, observations and questions.
Read the first section and pick out the main idea or argument. Identify the sentence that effectively sums up the point of the passage. Underline the sentence and make notes. Take this approach with the entire assigned passage.
Read and review all highlighted text and notes. After reviewing the entire passage, use the notes and highlighted text to create a short summary.
Identify other points the author is making. Look for recurring themes and words. It is also helpful to note metaphors and other literary techniques such as irony and flashbacks.
Use your written summary and underlined text to identify the theme. In literature, the theme is the broad idea of the story that is conveyed by the author. Themes aim to explore universal ideas and are typically implied rather than explicitly stated.