What is the primary purpose of text annotations?

The primary purpose of text annotations is to highlight key ideas and facilitate deeper understanding. When readers annotate a text, they engage with the material in a more interactive way; they might underline significant phrases, write notes in the margins, or mark passages that are particularly thought-provoking or challenging. This active engagement helps readers to comprehend the material better and encourages them to think critically about what they are reading.

Annotations serve as a personalized guide that can help clarify complex concepts and improve retention, making it easier for readers to review and recall the information later on. Through this process, the reader can make connections between ideas, ask questions, and reflect on the content, leading to a more thorough and nuanced understanding of the text.