From Professor Beckwith:
An annotation both describes and evaluates a research source in order to help other researchers decide whether to read a text in full and/or to incorporate it into their work. This is what others in our class will be deciding based on the information you provide. Aim for a paragraph of 3-4 sentences that clearly indicates the essence of a source’s argument or purpose, perhaps in the following manner:
1. Lead in – what the source sets out to do. This part can be brief. What you need is one sentence that really sets us up for/ leads directly into - what the source concludes (this is what’s important to show).
2. Show some details or one important note in particular regarding method(s) used to arrive at the source’s conclusion - perhaps types of studies cited.
3. Inferable or best suited audience for the source – think in terms of what other researchers in your topic field might be looking for, or what research goal(s) they might have.
4. Source’s approach to your topic. In order to help fellow researchers make a quick decision about whether or not they would like to look more extensively at this source, briefly indicate the type of research approach this source offers your own research, what is especially striking and/or missing in its coverage of your topic, and if there is a particular bias that one should take into consideration.