Research your topic. Locate credible sources that explore multiple views of your issue. (Reference 1)
Pick and use the appropriate citation style for your paper. The Purdue Online Writing Lab lists MLA and APA as two popular formats. (Reference 3) MLA format comes from the Modern Language Association's official style rules for humanities writing, while APA format is the American Psychological Associations' official style for social sciences papers. See the Resources section below for links to these style guides.
Write a short paragraph of at least 150 words under each citation. (Reference 1) The Cornell University Library recommends this paragraph cover three areas of analysis, using at least one sentence for each area. (Reference 1) The first area of analysis is the source's content. For this area, summarize the theme and key points of the resource, showing you understood its meaning. (Reference 4)
Assess the authority and background of the source's author as the second part of your annotation paragraph. Discuss how much credence should be given to the author's claims. Consider any possible biases revealed by the writer's opinions or affiliations. (Reference 1)
Discuss the purpose of including this source as the third part of your annotation paragraph. Weigh how applicable the source is to your research. Note any arguments in your writing that could be bolstered or contradicted by referencing this resource. (Reference 5)