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.
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?
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?
*Information borrowed from Purdue Owl.