Overview

Students annotate a text extract using symbols or colour codes to identify three types of connection: text-to-self (TTS), text-to-text (TTT), and text-to-world (TTW). As they highlight and code, students add brief margin notes explaining each connection. This individual activity builds foundational annotation skills and makes the connection-making process visible.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Introduce or review the three connection types: text-to-self (personal experience), text-to-text (other things read or viewed), and text-to-world (broader events, issues, contexts).
2. Distribute the text extract and assign a colour or symbol to each connection type (e.g., yellow = TTS, blue = TTT, green = TTW).
3. Students read the extract independently, highlighting or underlining sections where they recognise a connection.
4. Next to each highlighted section, students write a brief margin note explaining the connection they have made.
5. After annotating, students share their connections in pairs or small groups, noting where others have found connections they missed.
6. Facilitate a whole-class discussion about which connection type was most common and which was hardest to find.

Tips

• Model the annotation process with a short example before students work independently.
• Encourage students to push beyond obvious text-to-self connections — text-to-text and text-to-world connections often require more thought.
• This activity transfers well into the group-based activities that follow (Text Walk, Context Walk).

More Making Connections Activities