Consistent with embodiments of the invention, computer-based systems and methods for annotating documents with a special type of graphical icon—referred to herein as a tick mark—are provided. Accordingly, utilizing a document annotation tool consistent with one embodiment of the invention, a user can quickly and easily place a tick mark next to an element of a document (e.g., a word, sentence, paragraph, number, chart, graph or figure) being displayed to visually convey some information about that particular element of the document. A second user, who is viewing the same document subsequent to the first user placing the tick mark, will immediately recognize and appreciate the information conveyed by the placement of the tick mark.