The summary of the source should not just describe what the article is about.This statement can prepare readers to interpret the source author's thesis, conclusions, or findings more easily. Consider launching the annotation with a statement that describes the source author's purpose.It may also state how the source helped shape your argument and/or how it changed your view on the topic.Ĭheck with your instructor on the kinds of information they want your annotations to include. The reflection-This type of annotation states how the source informed (or did not inform) your research. It may also state why/how the article is useful or interesting and who it would be useful for (someone new to the topic, someone knowledgeable about the topic, graduate students or professional, undergraduates, etc). The evaluation-This type of annotation examines the source’s strengths and weaknesses. The summary often begins by describing the source's purpose, then describes the method the source author(s) used in their argument or study, and ends with providing the main finding(s) or conclusion(s). The summary-This type of annotation provides a summary of the source. There are three main types of annotations, and the different kinds of information can be combined, such as the summary and evaluation or evaluation and reflection, etc. Reading annotated bibliographies is a great way to see if specific sources are useful.

When you are researching a topic, browsing through another writer's annotated bibliography can help guide your research. Composing annotations also helps you look at your sources more carefully and critically. Writing an annotated bibliography gives a researcher a way to organize their sources as well as aiding other researchers interested in the same topic. Why write or use annotated bibliographies? Also, check with your professor on the length of each annotation. Note: Always check with your professor to see exactly what they want included in your annotations. They can sometimes be organized by subject, but the entries in every group should be listed in alphabetical order.įor each source, provide the bibliographic citation (the citation as it would appear in a Works Cited or References page) in your chosen citation style. The sources are typically listed in alphabetical order. The second paragraph provides an analysis or evaluation of the source, taking into consideration the validity, audience, holes in the argument, etc. Generally, the first paragraph of the annotation provides a summary of the source in direct, clear terms. An annotation is a one or two paragraph summary and/or analysis of an article, book, or other source. An annotated bibliography is a list of sources on a single topic, with an annotation provided for each source.

An annotated article