Summary annotations
-Sum up the general content
-give overviews of the arguments and evidence expressed in the work, including the conclusion
-Leave out judgement or critical thoughts
-Describe approach or methodology when appropriate
Informative annotation
-Can be read like a straight summary of the source material, but can also include relevant information about the author or the work itself
Indicative annotation
-Similar to a general summary but does not attempt to include actual information from the argument itself. Instead, it gives general information
about what kinds of questions or issues are addressed by the work.
Critical/evaluative
-evaluate the source or author critically (biases, lack of evidence, objective, etc.)
-show how the work may or may not be useful for a particular field of study or audience
-explain how researching this material was used in your own research
Combination
-An annotated bibliography may combine elements of all the types. In fact, most of them fall into this category: a little summarizing and describing, a little evaluation.
Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill. (n.d.). The writing center: Annotated bibliographies. Retrieved from http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/annotated-bibliographies/
Here are some helpful terms to use when summarizing language. Try to use a wide variety of vocabulary to summarize your resources.
account for | clarify | describe | exemplify | indicate | question |
analyze | compare | depict | exhibit | investigate | recognize |
argue | conclude | determine | explain | judge | reflect |
assess | criticize | distinguish | frame | justify | refer to |
assert | defend | evaluate | identify | narrate | report |
assume | define | emphasize | illustrate | persuade | review |
claim | demonstrate | examine | imply | propose | suggest |
The evidence indicates that . . . | The article assesses the effect of . . . |
The author identifies three reasons for . . . | The article questions the view that . . . |
source: University of Toronto
Need Help with Your Citations?
Check out The Owl at Purdue! An online Citation guide developed by the The Writing Lab at Purdue University.