Critical Annotation

Remember, Besides including the works citation material, the annotation requires that you review the source for the following information:

Summarize: What are the main details or arguments? What is the point of this book or video or article or interview? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this source is about, what would you say? This may include both paraphrase and direct quotation (in either case, you should use parenthetical citation for facts/quotes/details).

Assess: After summarizing the source, evaluate it. How does it compare with other sources or your prior knowledge? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source? What are the author’s/speaker’s credentials or expertise?

Reflect: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask yourself how it fits into your research. How was this source helpful or useful to you? How does it help you shape your argument or thinking? How has it changed how you think about the topic? What makes this source’s perspective special or significant?

CHECK that your Critical Annotation includes the following:

• MLA Heading and Header
• complete bibliographic information without hanging indent, single paragraph is preferred
• qualifications of author, his or her bias, point of view
• scope and purpose of the work, summary
• audience, or intended readership
• usefulness of the source, comparison to other sources or prior knowledge

LINK to 1st example, bit minimal

STUDENT SAMPLE:

Lange, Dorothea. Tribute to Dorothea Lange. Flickr. 2007. Web. 21 September 2013.

Dorothea Lange is one of the most lauded Great Depression photographers of all time. Her pictures captured the ordeals of people throughout the country, and influenced even the government in providing aid. The photo shows a long line of people standing in front of a large sign. This sign, claiming, “There’s no way like the American Way," is juxtaposed with the poor and needy people in front of it. Lange published this work in order to give proof of the struggle endured by the American people, who did not get to experience the “American Way." Lange has an obvious bias towards the poor Americans; she publishes her work partially in the hope that they will be provided with aid. On the simplest level, the photo is appropriate for any audience, but only an older viewer would understand the implications of the photo. Lange’s photography is unlike any other attempt at capturing the Great Depression, which made her so successful.

Note: Though variance does occur in whether or not one should single or double space, indent or not indent, the majority of the content requirements are uniform.