Evaluative Annotations

What are Annotations?

At Otis, an annotation is a critical and descriptive evaluation of a source that you used for your research. You'll be asked to consider who created the source, why it was produced, its biases, validity, and relevance to your project. This process prompts you to think deeply about the information you encounter, considering how it's created, packaged, transmitted, valued, and contextualized. All sources of information can (and should) be evaluated, from TikTok videos to scholarly articles. When you step back and evaluate a source, you may realize that its information is incorrect, outdated, or otherwise flawed.

Evaluating sources is a critical aspect of information literacy. Whenever we encounter information, we subconsciously make judgments about it. The process of writing evaluative annotations prompts you to bring these judgments to a conscious level, deepening your capacity to engage with information. These skills help you to create better work, write better papers, and be a better friend!

Citations vs. Annotations

Whereas a citation indicates where your information came from, an annotation offers a detailed, analytical explanation of the source and its relevance to your project.

Criteria for Evaluative Annotations

• Authority / Credibility
• Audience / Type of Source
• Purpose / Point of View
• Currency
• Coverage / Scope
• Relevance

Formatting Annotations

Your annotations should be added as an Annotated Bibliography at the end of your paper.

Requirements

• Start on a new page: Begin this section on a new page after your Works Cited list at the end of your paper.
• Use a simple, centered title: "Annotated Bibliography." Center it, and do not add any extraneous formatting (e.g., don't italicize it or make it bold).
• Use consistent spacing, margins, and text: Like the rest of your essay, this section should be double-spaced with one-inch margins on each side. The text should be the same font and size that you've used throughout your paper.
• Keep your header: Continue your essay's header in the top right corner, "Your Last Name page #."
• Include MLA-style citations: Add citations of the sources you are annotating. These citations should be stylistically consistent with your Works Cited entries (e.g., MLA-style, hanging indent, font, size, margins, spacing).
• Alphabetize the citations: The citations you are annotating should appear in alphabetical order.
• Indent your annotations: List them underneath the corresponding citation and use a one-inch indent.
• The annotation: Your instructor should provide direction on whether to (A.) label each criterion in brackets, or (B.) write everything out as one paragraph.

Example