Foundations of Research

Citation: 

Sumy State University Library (2023). Structure of scientific texts [Infographic]. Sumy State University Library. https://library.sumdu.edu.ua/en/for-researcher/academic-writing/writing-scientific-text/the-structure-of-scientific-texts/823-the-structure-of-scientific-texts.html

What exactly is an annotation?

Why does it exist?

• "Annotation"
  • A note that comments on source

What is the point?

• To show you've read it, understand it, analyzed it, and applied it--whether to summarize, evaluate its use, or review it.

Why can't you just write a summary?

• We already have those--they're called abstracts. They don't ask you to engage with the text for analysis, evaluation, and application.

What are its parts?

Three parts:

• Summarize: What was it about, and what were the conclusions?
• Assess: The quality and usefulness of the source
• Reflect: How the information contributes to the body of knowledge and your own research

Critique while reading the source:

• Contribution to body of knowledge
• Writing style
• Insights and blind spots
• Additives (Graphs, illustrations, figures? Do these enrich your understanding?)
• Context of authority of the source

Critique while writing the annotation:

• Summarize the content--briefly.
• Explain why your selection was chosen--how does it interact with your research?
• Discuss the value of the piece--include all relevant points from the above.

Your writing style:

• Write using third person (avoid the use of "I" and "you").
• Support your points with evidence from the source.

Always check with your assignment requirements

• Your professor may want full-page annotations or may only want certain info in the annotations
• Craft your ideas into coherent, flowing sentences and paragraphs whatever the requirements

Standard paragraph-length annotations

It is generally standard for an annotation to be 200-250 words (one paragraph). Below is a real 7-source annotated bibliography. Check it out to see how the format and sentence structure work.

Full-page annotations

This is an example of one full-length annotation. Notice how, by the time the author reaches the end, they have answered all 9 of the Engeldinger questions.

Also notice how the answers to the questions are implicit--the student has written sentences that weave the answers together as a coherent annotation and not as a patched-together list of information.

In MLA style.