HowtoWriteAnnotationMLA9Updated02.2023
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Apr 3, 2024
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How To Write An Annotation For A Source Once you’ve selected a topic and some sources, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ve found and how it supports and/or influences your research topic. If you investigate, think about, and answer the following questions about each source, writing the final annotations will be easier. You might not be able to answer all of the questions for all of your sources, but try to answer as many as you can. (See the
completed example on the other side of this page.)
Use this handout to break down the source and write your annotation:
1.
Who is the author and why should you pay attention to what she or he has to say? That is, what are the author’s credentials? What are the author’s main ideas?
2.
What is the purpose and depth of the work? Is it a broad, general overview? Does it cover something specific? Does it leave anything out?
3.
What is the author’s point of view, perspective or assumptions upon which the work is based? Are there indications of bias, such as strong language or a one-sided presentation of the facts/issues? 4.
Does the author seem to be trying to reach or influence a particular audience? If so, who is the intended audience? Scholars? General adult population? Everyday consumers? A group of people sharing a particular point of view?
5.
How does this source compare/contrast to others in your bibliography?
6.
How does this source support/influence your thesis?
7.
How is your source organized? Is there any supplemental information that is helpful, such as appendices, index, and bibliography?
Put all of the above ideas together and you have an annotation for your source!
Need help coming up with transitional words and phrases? Go to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/reso
urce/574/01/
Need help with MLA, APA, or other citation styles? Go to http://campusguides.glendale.edu/cite
On this site, the GCC Library has brief guides of MLA and APA style. Paper copies of these guides are available at the Research Help Desk; citation manuals are available to use in the library or to check out.
FAQs
Q:
What is an annotated bibliography?
A: An annotated bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, websites, periodicals, etc.) that includes an annotation of each source consulted for a research topic.
Q:
Isn’t an annotation the same as an abstract or summary of my source?
A:
No. In addition to a brief description of the content, annotations provide critical analysis and evaluation of the work.
Q:
How long should an annotation be?
A:
Between 5 and 8 sentences.
Q:
What is the difference between an annotated bibliography and a works cited list?
A:
A works cited list includes all of the sources used in your paper. Your
in-text citations refer to items on your works cited list. An annotated bibliography lists all of the works that you referenced in your paper and those items you consulted; items on the bibliography are not necessarily items actually used as support or evidence in your paper.
Q:
Why write an annotated bibliography?
A:
To illustrate the scope and quality of your research, to show that you’ve read and understand your sources, to place your research in context, and to prepare to write your final paper.
S:\StyleGuides\HowtoWriteAnnotationML9. Revised 02/2023 schin/acg
Completed Example of an Annotation
Excerpt from original source:
“A thorough understanding of the role of body language is a vital tool in today's business environment. And yet I see it time and
time again: professionals at all levels of the organization who aren't reading the clear signals of others or who don't have a clue how their own nonverbal behavior is sabotaging their efforts. Six factors have converged to make body language in the workplace more important now than ever before. […] And influence relies on the effective use of two communication skills: (1) the ability to really understand the other person’s perspective (which means listening to what's being said) and knowing how to
read the messages that are being delivered nonverbally, and (2) the ability to communicate congruently, to align the spoken word with body language that supports an intended message. […] Reaching that goal of understanding, of empathy, can mean a
big difference in the business world.” From
Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., author of The Nonverbal Advantage: Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work
Example: Use this handout to break down the article and write your annotation:
1.
Who is the author and why should you pay attention to what she or he has to say? That is, what are the author’s credentials? Goman has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Columbia Pacific University and is a speaker and an author of several books and articles on communication.
2.
What are the author’s main ideas?
The article focuses on how nonverbal communication can undermine your verbal message and how to avoid doing this in order to be a more effective communicator. Goman discusses six factors that we should consider in our communication style as well as tips on improving our nonverbal communication skills.
3.
What is the purpose and depth of the work? Is it a broad, general overview? Does it cover something specific? Does it leave anything out?
The article is not overly specific; it provides a good overview of nonverbal communication and is based on her recent book, The Nonverbal Advantage: Secrets and Science of Body Language at Work
. 4.
What is the author’s point of view, perspective or assumptions upon which the work is based? Are there
indications of bias, such as strong language or a one-sided presentation of the facts/issues? If so, provide examples of these indications.
The author uses straightforward, balanced, and clear language.
5.
Does the author seem to be trying to reach or influence a particular audience? If so, who is the intended audience? Scholars? General adult population? Everyday consumers? A group of people sharing a particular point of view?
Business professionals and a general audience interested in communication issues.
6.
How does this source compare/contrast to others in your bibliography?
This article is from a trade journal, which is similar to a popular source. She uses some jargon, but it is very readable. It is not as in-depth as other sources. 7.
How does this source support/influence your thesis?
This article supports my argument that nonverbal communication is an essential skill to have and that it should be taught to children at an early age.
8.
How is your source organized? Is there any supplemental information that is helpful, such as appendices, index, and bibliography?
There are no works cited, but the author provides some additional tips on nonverbal communication called, “Improve Your Interpretation Using the 5 ‘Cs’ of Body Language.” Here’s what an entry for this article would look like in an annotated bibliography using MLA style, 9
th
ed.:
Goman, Carol K. “Lost in Translation.” Communication World,
vol. 25, no.4, 2008, pp.31-33. ABI/Inform Global, ProQuest
, http://libwin2k.glendale.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/210274387?accountid=27372.
Carol Kinsey Goman PhD has a Clinical Psychology degree from Columbia Park University and is a speaker and an author of several books and articles on communication. She argues that nonverbal messages such as body language, gestures, and facial expression send visual cues that are contradictory what we say. She recommends attention to these nonverbal cues, which impacts our effectiveness in communicating with others. She discusses six factors to consider in our communication style and tips on improving our nonverbal communication skills. The author uses straightforward and balanced language; the intended audience are business professionals and others interested in communication issues. This source is useful because her ideas can be applied to everyday communication and supports my argument that nonverbal communication is an essential skill and should be taught to children. The article does not contain an appendix, index, or bibliography. This source is useful because her ideas can be applied to everyday communication and supports my argument that nonverbal communication is an essential skill and
should be taught to children. The article does not contain an appendix, index, or bibliography.
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