Your instructor will have added a PDF file to the course with the assignment to annotate it. When we annotate a document, we add our own notes to it. 

It may include definitions, reactions, "I wonder..." statements, or any other notes you think adds to your (and the group's) understanding. Your instructor may have prompts to guide you through this, but maybe not. 

The PDF may be an article or presentation you instructor asked you to review or it may be a files created by your instructor.

The PDF Annotation interface:

The availability of the tools depends on how your instructor has configured the tool.

The PDF Annotate interface with icons highlighted


1) Drop a pin and add a comment at that point

2) Draw rectangles to highlights areas of the file

3) Highlight text and add a comment

4) Add a text box and resize the text and font color

5) Draw lines and change their color

6) Zoom on an out

7) Hide the comments

8) Change to full page mode

9) Navigate the PDF file

10) Download the file and comments

Making Comments:

the interface after adding annotations

In this image, I used the highlighter tool to edit a sentence in the article. That opened the comments box on the right margin where I typed my annotation. Notice, there are options to post anonymously (not recommended!), or to leave the notes for you (personal notes) or for you and the instructor (private). Click "Create Annotation" to post it.

Responding to Questions:

To respond to questions or annotations, click the speech bubble in the blue box containing it. Use the text editor to compose the message.

the button to respond to questions in PDF Annotate 

Last modified: Monday, September 8, 2025, 1:47 PM