Photography How To Choose A Camera Lens

Photography How To Choose A Camera Lens What Kind Of Lens Do I Need For My Digital Camera? ChaptersAbout Camera LensesWhere Will Your Lens Be Used?Fisheye LensWide Angle LensesMacro Photography LensesStandard Kit LensesTelephoto LensesThe best lens for landscape photography exists, the best lens for wildlife photography exists. No matter what you want to take pictures of, there is a lens that can support you to get better results.In fact, there are so many lenses for so many different kinds of images that it can leave you feeling a little confused over where to start. Not least because the prime lenses are quite expensive, especially when you want to but an entire collection.Today lets learn about what interchangeable lens you might need for your camera. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsAbout Camera LensesDetachable camera lenses are used with the body of a digital SLR camera or SLR camera to create images. Generally, if you use SLRs, DSLRs or interchangeable lens cameras, you will be able to purchase a wide variety of lenses to accompany your digital cameras. But lenses are not only there for aesthetic purposes, but they also play an essential role in the kind of image you can create as a photographer.All photography aims to create the most vivid and true to life photographic images possible. When you use the different lens, you give yourself the advantage to keep your images not just crisp and sharp but also the best that they can be.There are lenses for close ups ( Macro), Zoom lenses that give you some more flexibility over what you are shooting, There are lenses which work well in landscape environment’s like safaris   (Wide angle / telephoto), Panoramic lenses   which give wide but distorted views of reality (Fisheye) and general lenses (standard)By adding the right lens to your camera equipment, you can take your photography to a whole new level.Discover more accessories to make you photograph like a pro!Generally SLRs, DSLRs or mirrorless cameras use interchangeable lens. Photo Source: UnsplashWhere Will Your Lens Be Used?Which digital camera lenses you use depends a lot on what it is that you plan to shoot, compatibility with your camera body and the effect that you are looking for in your images. All lens’ tend to have a purpose, and many of them can cross over into what is defined as a general lens range. Often when you purchase your camera if buying it as a bundle, you will get a general lens with the camera body.Focal length is t he best way to understand how to choose your lenses. Focal length is chosen by the millimetres (mm) of the lenses from the optical centre of the sensor in your camera. That sounds confusing so think about it like this. The small the mm of your lens the wider the field of view and the more that you will be able to see in your image, For example, an 8millimeter fisheye lens might give a view of 180 degrees. The larger the mm of your lens, the less that you will be able to see in your image, for example, a 120mm macro telephoto lens would be able to show an ant walking on a leaf in full size.Let's take a closer look at the different kinds of lenses and what they can do for your photography.Fisheye LensA fisheye lens is one of the widest wide angle lens available. So wide in fact that it gives the impression of a 180-degree panoramic photo. Although it has quite a noticeable distortion in some images, it can look quite beautiful. A fisheye lens while interesting tends not to be used muc h in professional circles. But I feel that when used well it gives a truly unique and creative effect that can be quite breathtaking with a rotating effect.The Benefits of a Fisheye LensLooks great when used with round shapesThey create really unique effects that can show old scenes in new waysWorks great to snap panoramic or hemispherical  photosThe Disadvantage of a Fisheye LensFisheye lenses curve straight lines if you don’t want a distortion this lens will not be right for you.Focal LengthThese lenses are usually 8mm â€" 10mm but can go up to 35mm as wellDifferent Kinds Of LensesCircular, Full frame, ZoomExample Of A Fisheye LensSigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye LensCheck out photography course London. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Tea cher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWide Angle LensesA wide-angle lens allows you to fit more into the frame of your image. Like Fisheye lens wide angle lens also have some distortion although not quite as dramatic. Such as things in the foreground of the photograph will appear somewhat larger and elongated than usual, and the background will look much smaller.Benefits of a wide angle lensGreat for photographing different subjects at different locations within the image. This lens keeps all subject sharp.With this lens, it is easy to get a significant depth of fieldCan capture scenery, landscapes and vast scenes perfectlyDisadvantages of a wide angle lensWhen shooting at low apertures the edges of the photo can become blurry. It is better to use central aperture ranges to keep the image sharp.There can be a slight distortion of subject depending on how close they are to the lensFocal lengthWide angle lens, are most commonly lens with a focal length of 24mm - 35mmDifferent kinds of lensesThe fixed focal length and zoom lensesExample of a wide angle lensNikon 35mm AF-S f/1.8G NIKKOR lensRead our tips for choosing the best cameras for your type of photography...Macro Photography LensesA macro lens allows you to photograph ultra close up images. If you want to get the details on a ring, see the pollen on a flower or see the detail on an insect and the macro lens is the one for you. How you plan to use your lens heavy decides which lens will be right for you. Distance from the subject also dictates which lens would be best.For example for a lens with a focal range of 40mm- 60mm, you would need to be around 6 inches from your subject. This focal range wou ld be best for inanimate objects that won’t get scared away by your presence. A lens with a focal range of 90mm - 105mm you would need to be roughly a foot away from your subject.This focal range would be best for plants, insects and flowers. A lens with a focal range of 150mm- 200mm you could be much from your subject. This focal range would be best for capturing anything that might be scared away by your presence.Benefits of a Macro lensPerfect for incredibly sharp close up photographyCan capture the smallest detailsYou can buy a lens with optical image stabilization which will make shooting easier if you don’t have a steady handWorks well for Portrait photography tooDisadvantages of a Macro lensYou need good lighting to get the best resultsIf the lens doesn’t have image stabilization built into the lens and you shake even the tiniest bit, you may notice blurring. You may need a tripod.If you make a mistake, it will show upFocal lengthMarco lens, are most commonly lens with a focal length of 50mm - 160mmDifferent kinds of lensesAutofocus, manual focus, Zoom lensesExample of a Macro lensCanon 100mm f/2.8L MacroStock your beginner's kit with these photography essentials...All photography aims to create the most vivid and true to life photographic images possible. Photo Source: UnsplashStandard Kit LensesThis is the lens that you may get with your camera purchase. The standard lens tends to be a pretty good reflection of what the human eye is seeing. The most common standard lens focal length is a 50mm lens with a fixed focal length. A very popular standard lens is the 18mm â€" 55mm zoom lens and great for general purpose use.Benefits of a Standard kit lensGreat for getting started and perfect for new photographers and the enthusiastThey usually come with the camera, so there is no added costHas a fair wide angle and ability to zoom inGetting this with a camera body is cheaper than buying them separatelyDisadvantages of a Standard kit lensSometimes the im age quality on these lenses can suffer.Doesn’t compare to a professional prime lens for clarity and speedFocal lengthStandard lens kit lenses, often have a focal length of 18mm â€" 55mmDifferent kinds of lensesThe fixed focal length and zoom lensesExample of a Standard lens kitSigma lenses â€"  18mm -50mm  f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM and 17mm -50mmf/2.8 EX DC OS HSMTelephoto LensesA telephoto lens is used for photographing distant subjects like wildlife, sporting events or street views. Generally, this lens is best for capturing photos of subjects at a mid to far distance away. Despite that, they can also create flattering portraits without the distortion often found in wide angle lenses.Benefits of a Telephoto lensYou can photograph without being noticedYou can detail lots of information in the same imageYou can shoot in tight spacesDisadvantages of a Telephoto lensThe size and weight of the lensYou need to use faster shutter speed to avoid camera shakeFocal lengthTelephoto lenses, are m ost commonly lens with a focal length of 135mm - 300mm +Different kinds of lensesThe fixed focal length and zoom lensesExample of a Telephoto lensNikon AF-S 200mm - 500mm f/5.6E ED VRLenses that give you some more flexibility over what you are shooting. Photo Source: UnsplashYou don’t have to be a professional photographer to take amazing photos but having the right equipment definitely helps produce the highest quality results. While having the right camera is essential, it is the lens that allows the photograph to take shape.Next, read these ideas on whether photography truly is an expensive hobby...

Get A Professional Online Tutor- Whenever You Need Help

Get A Professional Online Tutor- Whenever You Need Help 0SHARESShare Over the last few years, online tutoring websites have really gained recognition. Students want to get rid of their hectic routine and Online tutoring is an ideal solution to this problem. This can be done at home, on a computer, and is a much cheaper alternative to classroom tutoring. The process allows students to plan their own schedule and choose courses relevant to their requirement. The technology has useful flexible features that allow students and tutors to share a private virtual classroom, a platform that allows tutors to identify students’ limitations and help them to gain confidence. Tutor Pace is a reliable online tutoring website where students can find answer to their questions; not only that they get help with any subject but homework as well. Students can work in a one-on-one secure environment on an interactive whiteboard. The online tutors provided are professional, caring and qualified to raise your child’s grades in any subject. [starbox id=admin]

Summer Tutoring Programs for High School Students!

Summer Tutoring Programs for High School Students! Summer brain drain in your kid could be avoided, if you induct him in any of the Summer Tutoring Programs to enhance his     skills and recoup the lost threads in understanding the previous year subjects. The primary aim of these programs is to instill hope in the students to enter the next year with positive vibes and upbeat spirits. Summer Tutoring Programs- key targets ·                 Personalized to the core to avoid the setbacks of the  routine schooling with its hampering side effects on the students ·                 Recompensing for the lost grades of the previous year with skill centered workshops in all subjects ·                 Giving room for the students to exercise their brain when they normally tend to succumb to summer slide with inertia and inactivity in academics- a lapse that closes in on the students over a long period, say, almost one third of their duration in a Grade in their academics ·                 Brainstorming with diagnostic tests for spotting out weak areas in learning that caused stress in previous year studies Summer Tutoring for High School Students-necessary curtain raiser In many of the cases, Summer Tutoring program for high school students is designed with a pre oriented idea to shape the students’ minds towards oncoming challenges in the name of college admissions, standardized test preps and so on.  It is crafted to equip student caliber with skills that step up success stories for them in Math, Science and English. Some tutoring services strategic the courses in such a way that they stand out as precursors to the college environment, with an idea about the new courses in the college and the requisite skills for them.   Most of these programs show the high school students the gateway for cracking ACT, SAT or PSAT with their customized course-ware that aims at the implementation of test prep strategies in a personalized manner with an eye for rectification of weak areas for fabulous scores. They provide a kit for study skills in Critical Thinking, Reading, Writing and Math to ensure your excellent college entries through quality summer prep.   Summer vacation is for beaches, holiday trips and other sprees â€" true. Still, a penchant to go ahead in your academics is the quintessence of your success in ongoing studies which is propelled by Summer  Education  especially for high school students who usher in a new world with lots to achieve.

Ask 4 Questions Before Hiring a GMAT Tutor

Ask 4 Questions Before Hiring a GMAT Tutor GMAT MBA Admissions Blog Your GMAT score is obviously a critical component of your business school application (although, I’d argue, perhaps not as important as many people make it out to be), and most folks need to invest a significant amount of time in preparing for it. Certain GMAT preparation approaches can work better for some people relative to others. The four basic options with GMAT prep are: Self-study Online prep In class GMAT prep course Using a GMAT tutor There are some basic guidelines to consider when choosing across these four options. For example, self-study or online prep generally works best when you have a significant amount of time to prepare, are generally very structured and good at managing your time, and tend to be a good problem solver who enjoys figuring things out. A prep course tends to be a great basic way to get the fundamentals, and works well for anyone that feels they just need a baseline of knowledge from which to build. GMAT tutors are a great option for folks that are either a) top performers striving for a 700+ score or b) struggling, and in need of customized guidance to help explain concepts in a way that they will understand. A private GMAT tutor, at the right price, is an attractive option due to the customized, personalized approach. That said, we realize it’s not for everybody (far from it). In any case, this post is for individuals considering private tutoring, and will offer up four key questions to ask during the process of choosing a GMAT tutor. After all, if you’re going to invest in private GMAT tutoring, you want to identify the best tutor for you. Some Context There is a pretty wide variety of factors to consider when evaluating potential GMAT tutors or tutoring companies, such as the tutor’s own GMAT score (have they proven they can ace the test), tutor’s GMAT tutoring or teaching experience (have they proven they can teach strategies for success to others), GMAT training received, materials used, confidence which each section of the test, price, location, teaching style, “fit” with student, availability, whether they tutor actually went to business school (and which one) and many more. All of these factors matter, but it’s probably intuitive that some matter more than others. It might be difficult to determine which factors really matter, and which should be considered “nice to haves.” The four ideas below are an attempt to capture all the relevant considerations when choosing a GMAT tutor â€" they are a way to synthesize a long list of factors into some key guidelines. Four Key Questions #1 Expertise: Does the tutor have a well-rounded mix of experience and personal success with the GMAT? Say your goal is getting into an average business school and you thus need to score a 600 or higher. A great tutor for you might not be a great tutor for someone committed to breaking 730 and going to Harvard Business School. The second person probably needs advanced guidance on the most demanding questions, while you may not. But, the following three rules will hold true for any student studying for the GMAT, regardless of skill level or target score: Someone with a perfect 800 GMAT score but no tutoring experience is probably not going to be a great tutor. Someone with a 620 GMAT score but lots of tutoring experience is probably not a great option either â€" they don’t appear to have a great mastery of the material themselves. Some amount of professional training in GMAT prep is clearly desirable, all else equal. When it comes to“expertise” tutoring for the GMAT, the best tutors display an attractive mix of the above characteristics. At MyGuru, we often get questions such as “did the tutor score in the 99th percentile.” Or, “how many years of professional training has the tutor had.” These are fine questions, but a holistic view of the tutor’s expertise is what’s really important. The answer to the above two questions is “No” and “0” for several of our best GMAT tutors. But, if the tutor scored in the 93rd percentile, and has been tutoring privately for 6 years, they could be a fantastic fit for you (as is the case with several of our tutors). #2 Approach: Does the tutor focus on core concepts and use official practice tests? In our view, there just aren’t huge differences between all of the GMAT prep materials available online or in a book store. Some are certainly better than others. Most cover in reasonable detail each section of the GMAT and the core concepts tested. It is these core concepts which you need to master and be able to apply on test day. When discussing materials to use, your tutor should be comfortable working with whatever GMAT prep materials you already have, although they might have their own personal preferences and we always recommend starting with the Official Guide to the GMAT. They should certainly suggest that taking official timed practice tests is an important part of the process. Official tests under timed conditions are key â€" that’s the only true way to test progress. A tutor that relies too heavily on a particular set of materials or methodology may not fundamentally be comfortable enough with the core concepts tested on the GMAT to answer questions or explain things in different ways that may make more sense to you. #3 Style: Do you want an GMAT genius or a trusted guide and mentor? We, in general, see two types of tutors from a style perspective. The first is simply a GMAT genius. She can clearly and crisply articulate the key to the most complex GMAT questions. The Mentor/Guide, on the other hand, focuses more on helping you develop a study plan, provides motivation, time management through the preparation process, and helps you structure your journey towards business school. Often times, the first type of tutor completely aced the GMAT, but never went to business school. The second type of tutor may have scored pretty well on the GMAT, but didn’t ace it. However, they ultimately went to a top 10 business school and can put the test in perspective for you and help calm your nerves. Of course, most tutors display characteristics of both generic tutor categories. But, you should ask yourself, what type of tutor, if I had to choose, would I prefer? After speaking with a potential tutor or reading an introductory email from one, you can often get a sense for whi ch category they fall into. #4 Logistics: Will this tutor be easy to work with? Studying for the GMAT and applying to business school is stressful enough, especially if you’re currently working full time. You don’t want to choose a tutor with the potential to increase this stress by responding to emails slowly, being difficult to schedule with, or being located far away requiring you to sit in traffic on the way to a session. So, while certainly the expertise, approach, and style of the tutor are probably more important than logistical concerns, don’t ignore logistics. If you work full time, and you find the perfect tutor, but he or she is located a 45 minute drive from you, think about whether that’s really going to be practical. Choosing an online tutor can often alleviate many logistical concerns. If you have the right mindset and the tutor is using the right technology (video camera, electronic tablet/pen, etc.), an online tutor can actually be extremely convenient. But, it’s certainly different than in-person tutoring, and if you aren’t comfortable with it, stick with in-person tutoring. Again, if you choose an online tutor but really aren’t comfortable with it, that will be stressful. By asking these four questions of any potential tutor or GMAT tutoring company, you’ll be well on your way to choosing an effective partner to aid you on your journey towards a top business school. Visit the GMAT Tutoring pageto learn more about achieving your best score on this tough exam!

2014 AP Exam Prep at AJ Tutoring

2014 AP Exam Prep at AJ Tutoring Students will be taking their AP exams in early to mid-May (you can find the complete schedule of AP exams on the College Boards website).  Because AP exams cover an entire years worth of material, its important to get a head start on review!AJ Tutoring offers two options for AP exam preparation: group courses and one-on-one tutoring.AP Group Prep ClassesAJ Tutorings AP group prep classes are offered at our Palo Alto office for AP US History and AP English Language.AP US History Group ClassInstructor: David MasseyCost: $350 per student8 hours of group instruction2 full-length proctored APUSH examsClassroom Lesson #1   Tuesday April 15, 7-9 pmClassroom Lesson #2   Tuesday April 22, 7-9 pmClassroom Lesson #3   Tuesday April 29, 7-9 pmClassroom Lesson #4   Tuesday May 6, 7-9 pmPractice Exam #1   Sunday April 27, 3:30-6:45 pmPractice Exam #2   Sunday May 4, 10:00 am-1:15 pmAP English (Language) Group ClassInstructor: Ben WiebrachtCost: $250 per student6 hours of group instruction2 full- length proctored AP English (Language) examsClassroom Lesson #1   Wednesday April 16, 7-9 pmClassroom Lesson #2   Wednesday April 23, 7-9 pmClassroom Lesson #3   Wednesday April 30, 7-9 pmPractice Exam #1   Sunday April 20, 3:30-6:45 pmPractice Exam #2   Sunday April 27, 3:30-6:45 pmOne-on-One AP Exam PrepAJ Tutoring also offers one-on-one prep for most AP exams, including AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP European History, and many others.  For a complete list of AP courses tutored, please consult our website.Most AP exam preps include three or four tutoring sessions, during which the tutor will familiarize your student with the format of the test and develop specific techniques to optimize scores on multiple choice, essay writing, and problem solving.  The tutor will also review weaker content areas and recommend additional study in specific topics.Every AP exam prep student is welcome to take free proctored AP practice exams at the AJ Tutoring office in Palo Alto.If youd like to sign up for AP exam prep or speak with a director in more detail, please give us a call at (650) 331-3251 or email info@ajtutoring.com.

GoTEFL Mediakids Academy

GoTEFL Mediakids Academy GoTEFL Mediakids Academy MediaKids Academy is a Thai organization that aims to improve the English language skills of Thai children by implementing an English taught by Native Speakers program for public schools across the country. As a placement agency, we have contracts with over seventy schools nationwide and have placed over one thousand foreign teachers in the last few years. MediaKids School was founded in 2000 as a computer and music school. At that time, MK provided schools with weekend English Camps, and began developing the idea of a program of English taught by native speakers. It would be made available to the more remote, less developed areas of Thailand, where tourists arent usually found, and recruiting of foreigners directly by the school is very difficult. In 2001, MK expanded its programs in the Northeastern provinces of Thailand, and the journey began. Over the next three years, MK evolved into a respected and reliable company that met the demands of rural Thai schools in finding, placing and assisting experienced and quality English teachers. In 2004, as MK grew significantly, new offices were opened in Bangkok to offer a more convenient location for the teachers and staff. It also allowed us to expand our programs to other schools. Word spread quickly about what we offered. The strength behind our operation is our hard-working Thai staff, who have a high English ability and a real understanding of how foreign cultures differ from their own. As the world relies more and more on technology and international relationships, English has become one of the most important languages for communication. At MediaKids Academy, we recognize the importance of educating the young generation to become knowledgeable and competent in the English language so that they can effectively communicate and collaborate with people of other nationalities. Not only do we aim to place good and able teachers in our contracted schools, we also emphasise high-quality teaching techniques. We provide our teachers with a curriculum that is being constantly adapted and developed by our dedicated curriculum team, in order to ensure a consistently high standard.

Deciding between public schools private schools in Abu Dhabi

Deciding between public schools private schools in Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi attracts professionals from the global education community to the region on a frequent basis; Teach Away helps thousands of teachers land exciting opportunities in Abu Dhabi every year. These opportunities include positions for highly experienced education leaders as well as positions for elementary school teachers with only a few years of teaching experience. All of these jobs are either at private schools or public schools. Understanding the benefits of employment at both private and public schools in Abu Dhabi will help educators make more informed decisions when pursuing teaching work in the Middle East.Benefits of Teaching in Abu Dhabi Public SchoolsFantastic salaries and benefitsBe part of the UAE’s education reform - there are a lot of very excited teachers with the chance to help shape the new learning system in Abu Dhabi!Lots of opportunity - Teach Away posts hundreds of vacancies in Abu Dhabi every year, reviews applications regularly, and interviews candidates for public school positions several times throughout the yearJoin a very active and connected community of educators - teachers meet and converse prior to going abroad Extensive support during arrival and departure, including massive orientation events during your first week abroadBenefits of Teaching in Abu Dhabi Private SchoolsFollow a familiar curriculum from your home country (private American international schools will follow a curriculum from or based on education in the United States)Competitive salaries and benefits Interview directly with the specific school and hiring director or principal - teachers heading to Abu Dhabi private schools know exactly where they’re going (including the name of their school) and can connect with staff at their school before even arrivingEnjoy amazing resources and facilities at most private schools - amenities like gyms, computer labs, and theatres are commonOnboard with a thorough, fun, and very personal orientation program that might even include a trip to the desert to ride ATVs on the dunes! Teach in a familiar environment to home in terms of structure, schedule, and students Communicate clearly with parents, who are mostly English-speaking expatsMove and live with your family - in some cases children of teachers are offered schooling at the hiring private school  Both public and private schools in Abu Dhabi have a lot to offer their employees. When deciding between them, it’s all about finding which is the better fit for you. If you want to teach a familiar curriculum and to know exactly where you’ll be teaching before you fly overseas, then private schools are probably the better choice for you. If you’re looking to contribute to and experience a massive education reformation, then landing employment in an Abu Dhabi public school should be your priority.  See our current Abu Dhabi teaching jobs here.

Irvine English Tutor Annotation A step-by-step guide

Irvine English Tutor Annotation A step-by-step guide Irvine English Tutor Tips: A step-by-step guide to Annotation Annotation is such an important part of a student’s set of study skills. It seems like it takes up a lot of time, but it’s essential in order to conquer confusing topics and difficult to read novels. Annotation isn’t needed for each and every passage a student reads, but it can help them in lots of situations. Many English teachers will teach students how to annotate as part of a practice assignment but, students can use this skill across several subjects. In some cases, students may not be taught specifically how to annotate in which case they can use this step-by-step guide to help them get started, get organized, and be able to recall important information whenever they need it if youre struggling with how to annotate your papers, just ask your private Irvine English tutor from TutorNerds. 1. Get the materials To annotate students effectively will need to have two or three different colored highlighters and a pencil or pen. Neat handwriting is important here so make sure to sharpen that pencil or get a pen with a fine tip. If students are using a photocopy of a textbook, they’ll have to work with the amount of space allotted. On the other hand, if students are printing out something online, it’s helpful if they can copy and paste it into a Word document and make it double spaced. Annotations are a lot easier with larger print and spacing between each line. 2. Annotate as you read To save time and draw connections students can annotate as they read. If they are reading a novel for English class, for example, they can set aside a different color highlighter for each character so that information will be clearer when they return to study later on. They might decide to circle information regarding the plot and underline information regarding the setting. Alternatively, the teacher may have given instructions on what students are meant to do. Either way, students should have a key code they can refer to after the fact. 3. Remain consistent It’s important for students to be consistent when it comes to the organization of their annotated passages. For instance, if the character “John” was initially highlighted in yellow, he should be highlighted in yellow throughout the whole novel. If information about the setting was underlined in the first chapter, it should still be underlined in Chapter 7. Staying consistent makes it a lot easier for students to draw conclusions, identify cause and effect, and just study in general. 4. Dont over-annotate Some students highlight and underline nearly every sentence in an important passage. When students over-annotate it can become too confusing and be less helpful than if they had not annotated at all. Many students have trouble figuring out what they should and shouldnt annotate. As a general rule, students should focus on key terms that might appear on an exam, the main characters or essential plot elements in a novel, and any vocabulary words they dont yet understand. However, learning how to annotate effectively can get a lot more complicated than this so students are encouraged to consult with their classroom teacher or a one-on-one tutor to help them develop this crucial skill (READ: Five tips for success in English class). 5. Create some basic notes Once students complete the assignment or novel they are currently working on it can be easy to forget what the different annotations meant. In addition to a key code, students should take some basic notes about their strategy and information within that text that they can refer to later on. This will take an extra 10 or 15 minutes at the end of each assignment, but it can save hours on end when it comes time to study for cumulative midterms or finals later in the year. Get an A in your English classes this year with the help of private Irvine English tutoring. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.