Include a summary of the reference text in your annotation. Briefly describe the main points or arguments that are presented in the text, as well as its structural layout. Also, briefly summarize the qualifications of the author. When complete, the summary will offer a concise synopsis of the text as well as supporting evidence for or against its academic stature.
Briefly evaluate the text in terms of its usefulness and validity as a source. Include your own impressions of the text, especially as it relates to other sources that you used. Make a note of any shortcomings or author bias that you came across in the text. Evaluate the style of writing and its appropriateness to the subject matter. Also, make a note of the text's intended audience and evaluate the appropriateness of the style and information in the context of this audience.
Reflect on the pertinence of the text in the context of your own writing. Consider the information that you included in the summary and evaluation, and relate this information to your work. Briefly note your reasons for choosing the reference text, including ways in which the text substantiates your research and ideas.
Above your annotation, include a complete citation of the text. This includes the author's full name, title of the work, publishing information and medium. In the annotation itself, mention any outstanding features of the text. This might include appendices, indexes, or pertinent contributions from secondary authors, such as an introduction.