Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments?

You will find a primary source about your topic. Reminder, a primary source is an eyewitness account and/or written at the time of the vent. Cite it correctly, and write the annotation.

the topic is

Topic: World War 2

Research question: How long did food rationing last and how was food preserved?

Answer the following questions in paragraph form. Your annotation should be 200-250 words, double-spaced.

• Summarize: Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is.

For more help, see our handout on paraphrasing (Links to an external site.) sources.

• Assess: After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?

For more help, see our handouts on evaluating resources (Links to an external site.).

• Reflect: Once you’ve summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?