Writing Annotations

E. Siler

Definition

• An annotation is a short summary of an item in a reference list.

• The summary includes: – a brief description of the type of work, – a clear indication of how the work contributes to

the research topic, and – an indication of any bias or slant.

Example

• Yu, V. (2011, December 3). Tibetan survives fiery protest Self-immolation of ex-monk is yet to be confirmed as 12th incident and follows the mainland's top police chief's tour of Tibetan areas in Sichuan. South China Morning Post, p. 5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/907563715?accountid=14902– This news report describes an unsuccessful immolation by a

former monk at a Tibetan monastery in Tibet. This immolation may indicate more widespread resistance amongst Buddhist factions to Chinese policy towards Tibet.

Sentence 1

• This news report describes an unsuccessful immolation by a former monk at a Tibetan monastery in Tibet.

• Features include:– A description of the type of work (this news report).– The word “this” refers up to the reference. – A verb that indicates in the PRESENT TENSE what the

writer does (describes).– The main point of the article as it relates to the topic of

the research (which is Immolations of Tibetans).

Sentence 2

• This immolation may indicate more widespread resistance amongst Buddhist factions to Chinese policy towards Tibet.

• Features include:– Meaning of the article (why the author wrote it ---

to show that there is widespread resistance).– Is careful not to interpret the information. Note

the word “may.”

Overall

• After reading the annotation, the reader should be able to look at the actual article and NOT be surprised by anything he/she reads in that article!

• The annotation should serve to prepare the reader to read the article.

Final Notes

• A HUGE mistake some students make is to copy phrases or even sentences from the abstract or the title. That will result in failing.

• Here is just one example of a failing annotation:• This news report explains how a Tibetan survived a

fiery protest self-immolation which follows the mainland's top police chief's tour of Tibetan areas in Sichuan. This was significant as it occurred at Chamdo, where monks were not followers of the Dalai Lama's school of Buddhism.

In short

• Read the work thoroughly.• Put it away as you write your annotation.• Work to use your own words and grammar.• Write the annotation that you wish you had

read before you read the article!