Paula's General Research Guide: How to Write Annotations

Purpose

Authority

​Relevance

Make sure that your sources are on PAR with your assignment.

PAR Test
(To determine if your source is on PAR with your assignment)

What I think about the source’s main purpose in terms of my research need . . .

P​urpose: ​The reason the information exists.

• Do I understand the author’s purpose?
• Can I explain and summarize the main points and thesis of the source?
• Is the purpose of the information to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
• Does the point of view appear objective or impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
• Does the author’s purpose match my purpose for using this information?

What I think about the authority of the source in relationship to my research need . . .
A​uthority​: The author or creator of the information.

● Who is the creator/author/publisher/source/sponsor?
● What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations? (might have to search more to find this)
● How is the author’s expertise and credibility related to this topic/issue?
  ○ What type of authority​, such as subject expertise (e.g. scholarship), social 
    position (e.g. public office or title), or special experience (e.g. participating in a
    historic event) does the author have?
● Is there an easy way to contact the author if I have questions?
● What questions/doubts remain about the authority?
NOTE: Consider what you need to do with the information you find.

What I think about the source’s relevance in relationship to my research need . . .

R​elevance​: ​The extent to which this source meets my research needs.

● Does the source meet the stated requirements of my assignment?
● Does the source contribute to my research needs or answer my research question?
● Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for my needs)?
● How does using this source help me understand the larger conversation around this research question/need?
NOTE: Am I able to explain how this source matches my research topic?

Adapted from:

Roselle, Ann. “CRAAPP Detector.” CRAAPP Detector by Phoenix College is adapted from the CSU-Chico CRAAP Test and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 20 Jan. 2017. http://sandbox.acrl.org/system/tdf
/resources/CRAAPP%
20Detector.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=314&force=. Accessed 26 Jan. 2017.                                                                               

Preparing an Annotated Bibliography

Students should style a source in an annotated bibliography just as they would in a list of works cited and then append an annotation to the end of the entry. Annotations describe or evaluate sources. As James Harner writes, “[G]ood annotations accurately and incisively—but not cryptically—distill the essence of works” and “focus the reader’s attention on major points” (28). Annotations should not rehash minor details, cite evidence, quote the author, or recount steps in an argument. Writing an effective annotation requires reading the work, understanding its aims, and clearly summarizing them. For this reason, annotations may aid students in conducting research.

Annotations are generally written as succinct phrases:

Harbord, Janet. The Evolution of Film: Rethinking Film Studies. Polity, 2007. A synthesis of classic film theory and an examination of the state of film studies as of 2007 that draws on contemporary scholarship in philosophy, anthropology, and media studies.

But if you prefer to have your students use complete sentences, the students should add a line space after the entry and then begin the annotation with a paragraph indent:

Harbord, Janet. The Evolution of Film: Rethinking Film Studies. Polity, 2007.

      This synthesis of classic film theory examines the state of film studies as of 2007. It draws on contemporary scholarship in philosophy, anthropology, and media studies.

The list should be titled Annotated Bibliography or Annotated List of Works Cited. Students may organize the bibliography alphabetically by author or title (as for a normal list of works cited), by the date of publication, or by subject.

Work Cited

Harner, James. On Compiling an Annotated Bibliography. Modern Language Association of America, 2000.

Most importantly, students should follow the annotation guidelines required by individual  instructors!

Note:  MLA Bibliographic Citation

CRAPP=

Currency, Relevance, Authority, Point of View, Purpose

See below to find links to useful guides on how to write an annotation and annotated bibliographies.  Always check with your instructor for their requirements on how to write an annotation. 

Most importantly, students should follow the annotation guidelines required by individual instructors!