Begin your annotation with a citation for the paper using the preferred method for your course. Most social sciences courses adhere to the APA, or American Psychological Association, format. Include the author's name, title of the paper and publishing date. If the paper is part of a collection of works, include the title of the collection as well.
Summarize the contents of the paper. Include the main points made by the author, the topics covered and why the essay matters. Annotations provide more information and should encourage the reader to want to read the full piece, making it critical to include all relevant information.
Include the intended audience of the paper. Who did the author write the paper for? Some papers are made to appeal to other students, while others are geared towards professionals in the field. The intended audience of the paper aids in explaining its relevancy and why you feel the paper is useful for your point.
Include what the value of the paper is. Analyze the points that the paper makes and include how they strengthen your point or contribute value to your piece. Look at the theory they're using and whether the statistics, facts and citations in their paper are reputable.
The most important reason for annotating a paper, as opposed to listing it in a basic bibliography or works cited, is to analyze and reflect on it. Include what you gained from reading the piece, how its points impacted your thinking and whether or not you have pulled any significant information from it.