The Annotation

	The Why and How of
	writing an annotation

Why write an annotation?

	Write it to describe a work
	Write it to explain
	Write it to evaluate
	Write it to react� but above all:
	Write it so that a reader can decide whether or not to read the entire work.

How do I write an annotation?

	Begin by asking, What should I omit from an annotation?�

How not to write an annotation

	Don�t make statements of the obvious:
		Don�t repeat words from the title
	Green, L. (1982). The Boundary Hunters: Surveying the 141st Meridian and the Alaska Panhandle. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
	�In the early 20th century, someone had to set foot in the rugged mountains of western B.C. and southeasternmost Alaska and draw the line separating the U.S. and Canada.�

How not to write an annotation

	Don�t make statements of the obvious:
		Don�t repeat words from the title
		Don�t paraphrase the title
		Don�t include information that could be readily inferred from the title
	e.g., Alaskan Boundary Tribunal. (1903). The Counter Case of the United States. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
	Hmmm, sounds suspiciously like there was a conflict between the U.S. and, uh, maybe Canada?�

How not to write an annotation

	Don�t make statements of the obvious.
	Don�t be wordy; be concise:
	Instead of: �In the early 20th century, someone had to set foot in the rugged mountains of western B.C. and southeasternmost Alaska and draw the line separating the U.S. and Canada�.�
	Use:� �After the 1903 arbitration agreement, mapmakers had to decide exactly where to draw the Western boundary between the U.S. and Canada.� Prof. Green�s study��

How not to write an annotation

	Don�t make statements of the obvious.
	Don�t be wordy; be concise.
	Don�t use extensive quotations; better yet, don�t use any quotations.

How to write an annotation

	Begin with the full citation of the source, given in APA style or format (see the course Web page or Library handouts for examples)
	In 100 to 200 words, include the following elements as appropriate�

Elements of an annotation

	Authority and qualification of the author
	Tells the reader about how much to �trust� the author.
	�Lewis Green, professor of geography at the University of Alaska��
	�Based on 20 years of laboratory research, Dr. Green��

Elements of an annotation

	Scope and purpose of the text
	Tells the reader what content to expect.
	�The book describes the day-to-day life of� mapping crews on both American and Canadian sides as they struggled with visible hazards of terrain and wildlife and with the invisible hazards of politicians in distant capitals.�
	Do not attempt an exhaustive summary.� Give the essentials.

Elements of an annotation

	Bias of fact, perspective, etc.
	Warns the reader of possible problems.
	�Although Green�s work is exemplary in its thoroughness, he seems to ignore the role of the British representative in the Arbitration Agreement, which he would probably not have done if his affiliation were with a Canadian university.�

Elements of an annotation

	Audience/level of difficulty
	Tells the reader what to expect in terms of level of writing, technical jargon, etc.
	�Although a thoroughly scholarly work, Green�s writing style is fluid, and the book is easily approachable by any interested lay reader.�

Elements of an annotation

	Overall comment
	May be summary, evaluative, or critical.
	�An excellent study intended for professional historians and graduate students.�
	�A well-written, well-documented �history,� but I would not rely on his conclusions, which are wholly Canadian in perspective.�

Elements of an annotation

	Authority and qualification of the author
	Scope and purpose of the text
	Bias of fact, perspective, etc.
	Audience/level of difficulty
	Overall comment
	Think of this as a checklist � follow it as you write each of your annotations.