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Enhancing Remote Learning: The Role of an Online Annotation Tool in Education

In today’s digital age, remote learning has become increasingly prevalent, and educators are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage students in virtual classrooms. One such tool that has gained significant traction is the online annotation tool. This powerful software enables students and teachers to collaborate, analyze, and interact with digital content like never before. In this article, we will explore the various benefits of using an online annotation tool in education and how it enhances remote learning.

Facilitating Active Reading and Critical Thinking

The primary purpose of an online annotation tool is to empower students to actively engage with the text they are reading. By allowing them to highlight, underline, or comment on specific passages or words, these tools foster critical thinking skills. Students can annotate important concepts, ask questions, make connections between ideas, and share their thoughts with peers or instructors.

Furthermore, online annotation tools often provide a platform for collaborative learning. Students can view each other’s annotations and respond with their own insights. This not only encourages active participation but also creates a dynamic learning environment where students can learn from one another.

Personalized Learning Experience

One of the key advantages of using an online annotation tool is its ability to personalize the learning experience for each student. These tools allow learners to customize their annotations based on their individual preferences and needs.

For instance, students can use different colors for highlighting different types of information (e.g., main ideas vs. supporting details). They can also add personal notes or summaries alongside the text to aid comprehension and retention. By tailoring their annotations to suit their unique learning styles, students can better process information and make connections between concepts.

Efficient Feedback Mechanism

Traditionally, providing feedback on student assignments was a time-consuming process for teachers. With an online annotation tool, however, this task becomes much more efficient.

Teachers can use these tools to annotate students’ work directly, offering feedback, suggestions, and corrections in real-time. This immediate feedback loop helps students understand their mistakes and make necessary improvements promptly. Moreover, the online nature of these tools allows for seamless communication between teachers and students, even in a remote learning environment.

Collaboration and Community Building

One of the challenges of remote learning is the lack of face-to-face interaction. Online annotation tools address this issue by providing a space for collaboration and community building.

Students can engage in discussions about specific annotations or participate in group projects where they collectively annotate a text. This collaborative approach fosters social interaction and encourages students to work together towards a common goal. Additionally, these tools also enable teachers to create shared annotation spaces where the entire class can contribute their insights on a particular topic.

In conclusion, an online annotation tool is an invaluable asset for enhancing remote learning in education. By promoting active reading, critical thinking, personalized learning experiences, efficient feedback mechanisms, collaboration, and community building, these tools empower both students and teachers in the virtual classroom. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for educators to embrace innovative tools like online annotation software to adapt to the evolving landscape of education.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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What is an Annotated Bibliography?

So you’ve been assigned an annotated bibliography . . . what does that mean?

An  annotated bibliography  is a descriptive list of resources (books, articles, films, sound recordings, Web sites, etc.) focusing on a common theme. Each entry in an annotated bibliography has a full citation and an annotation ranging from a few sentences to several paragraphs.

The  citation  provides information about the author, title, date, source, and publisher of the item. Citations should be formatted according to one of the style manuals: MLA, APA, CBE, or Chicago/Turabian. See our guide on  Citation Styles  for more information.

The  annotation  is a concise and informative description that summarizes and evaluates the contents of a resource. It differs from an abstract, which just summarizes the original content. An annotation usually strikes a balance between summary and evaluation by addressing some of the following:

• Describe briefly the  content  of a resource
• Evaluate the  usefulness  of the item for the particular topic being studied
• Explain the  methodology  that was used
• Draw attention to any  themes  addressed
• Highlight  strengths  and/or  weaknesses
• Discuss the  reliability  of the author or source
• Critically  evaluate  the content for accuracy, bias, and authority

In MLA Format (but make sure to double-space):

In APA Format  (but make sure to double-space):

Sample Annotations

These samples have different strengths and weaknesses. The highlighting demonstrates which part of the annotation is summary and which part is evaluation . A librarian's evaluation of each annotation is provided. 

Annotation 1: 

Ehrenreich, Barbara.  Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.  New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2011. Print. 

In this book of nonfiction based on the journalist's experiential research , Ehrenreich attempts to ascertain whether it is currently possible for an individual to live on minimum wage in America. Taking jobs as a waitress, a maid in a cleaning service, and a Wal-Mart sales employee, the author summarizes and reflects on her work, her relationships with fellow workers, and her financial struggles in each situation. A n experienced journalist, Ehrenreich is aware of the limitations of her experiment and the ethical implications of her experiential research tactics and reflects on these issues in the text. The author is forthcoming about her methods and supplements her experiences with scholarly research on her places of employment, the economy, and the rising cost of living in America. Ehrenreich's  project is timely, descriptive, and well-researched.  

Librarian's Score: A-

This annotations include both summary and evaluation. The evaluation addresses authority and accuracy, but it could be a little stronger. For example, it could answer: What audience would benefit from reading this book? What I like about this annotation is the evaluation includes both the upside and downside to Ehrenreich's approach. It speaks to her position as the author (to wit: she's experienced, but she also backs up her work with research). The summary is also very good. I get a good sense of what this is about. 

Annotation 2: 

Waite, Linda J., Frances Kobrin Goldscheider, and Christina Witsberger. "Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults." American Sociological Review 51.4 (1986): 541-554. Print.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living. 

Librarian's Score: C

This annotation is mostly summary. The summary is strong, but the evaluation is weak. I’m glad to learn that the authors work for reputable institutions, but more evaluation could be included.

Annotation 3: 

Kotrla, Kimberly. "Domestic minor sex trafficking in the United States."  Social Work  55.2 (2010): 181-187.  Academic Search Premier.  Web. 15 Mar 2012. 

This article is about the sex trafficking of children and young adults. It is more commonly now being called "domestic minor sex trafficking." It is considered modern-day slavery. The author discusses: victims, the supply and demand of domestic minor sex tracking , how different countries tolerate it, help provided to survivors, and what this type of trafficking is. T his evidence is credible because it comes from social workers who work for the government. The goals of this source is to explain to people what domestic minor sex trafficking is, who is at risk, and what social workers can do to stop this problem. I t also brings up the human trafficking in the United States. The author, Kimberly Kotrla , is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She was a social worker for 10 years and does a lot of research about human trafficking. She gives most of her attention to the sexual exploitation of children in America. Kotrla is also on the human trafficking prevention task force committee. The audience of this article is most likely parents of young children and social workers. Published in 2010, it is fairly current. I felt that this source was an easy read, but written for a mature and educated audience.

Librarian's Score: B

This student did a great job of combining summary and evaluation. She told me what the article is about, its content as well as its purpose ("The goals of this source is..."). She addresses the author's credentials, the audience for the piece, and currency, and also the accuracy of the information ("social workers who work for the government"). However, this annotation lacks a critical analysis of how this article is relevant for the student's research question.

Useful Links

• Citing Sources A research guide on citation styles written by SSU librarians.
• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography From the Cornell University Libraries.
• How to write an annotated bibliography From the UCSC Library.
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Creating an annotated bibliography

  Creating an Annotated Bibliography

WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.

ANNOTATIONS   VS. ABSTRACTS

Abstracts are the purely descriptive summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes. Annotations are descriptive and critical; they expose the author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.

THE PROCESS

Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research.

First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.

Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style.

Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.

CRITICALLY APPRAISING THE BOOK, ARTICLE, OR DOCUMENT

For guidance in critically appraising and analyzing the sources for your bibliography, see document titled “ How to Critically Analyze Information Sources .” For information on the author's background and views, ask at the reference desk for help finding appropriate biographical reference materials and book review sources.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT FORMAT FOR THE CITATIONS

Check with your instructor to find out which style is preferred for your class. Online citation guides for both the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) styles are linked from the Library's Citation and Style Guide page.

SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE

The following example uses the ASA format for the journal citation.

Kerr, Don and Roderic Beaujot. 2003. “Child Poverty and Family Structure in Canada, 1981‐1997.” Journal of Comparative Family Studies 34(3):321‐335.

Sociology professors Kerr and Beaujot analyze the demographics of impoverished families. Drawing on data from Canada’s annual Survey of Consumer Finances, the authors consider whether each family had one or two parents, the age of single parents, and the number of children in each household. They analyze child poverty rates in light of both these demographic factors and larger economic issues. Kerr and Beaujot use this data to argue that…

The following example uses the APA format for the journal citation.

Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., and Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51 (4), 541‐554.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males.   Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self‐sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

This example uses the MLA format for the journal citation. NOTE: Standard MLA practice requires double spacing within citations.

Waite, Linda J., Frances Kobrin Goldscheider, and Christina Witsberger. "Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults." American Sociological Review 51.4 (1986): 541‐554. Print.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self‐sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

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What is an Annotated Bibliography?

A bibliography is an alphabetical listing of sources that appears at the end of a written work. Bibliographies follow the conventions of the citation style chosen by the author (ie. ASA, APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

An annotation is a description of the cited source that includes an evaluation of its nature and value.

An annotated bibliography is created in order to provide future researchers with detailed information about literature in the field.

How Do I Make an Annotated Bibliography?

Consider the scope of your annotated bibliography. Does it have to be comprehensive? Did your instructor specify how many sources should be included?

Do a search of the literature. Check the library databases for scholarly articles, books, and other materials on your topic. Look at the citations at the end of the scholarly resources you find to find related resources. Are there titles that appear regularly? Try to find copies of those works, as they may be important in the field of inquiry.

Evaluate your sources. Read and take notes. Jot down basic impressions about the source and its relevance to your topic.

From your selected sources, create a bibliography in your chosen style (ie. ASA, MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). The Library has style guides that can help you create an accurate bibliography.

Annotations should briefly:

• Explain the purpose, scope and significance of the source.
• Address the theoretical basis of the work.
• Describe the currency of the source, and how that effects the relevancy of it.
• Consider the biases of the source.
• Mention features such as indices, glossaries, appendices, etc.

ASA Style Guide

• ASA Quick Style Guide (PDF) This 2-page PDF gives you all the basics for including proper citations and references in your written work.

The American Sociological Association has published a style guide to provide authors with writing and citation guidelines. According to the Preface of the 4th edition, "It is designed to serve as the authoritative reference for writing, submitting, editing, and copy editing manuscripts for ASA journals. In practice, however, the ASA Style Guide also serves a wider community of researchers, writiers, and publishers who use it to prepare and present scholarly papers in other sociological and social science venues (ASA 2010:xi)."

The call number for the ASA Style Guide is HM 569. A44 2010.

ASA style is based on The Chicago Manual of Style (Z253 .U69 2010). For more information, see the links below.

• ASA Style Guide (Purdue Online Writing Lab) Online version of the ASA Style Guide from Purdue University's OWL Program.
• The Chicago Manual of Style Online
• Chicago Manual of Style (OWL Purdue)
• Sample ASA Annotation - Eastern Nazarene College
• Creating an Annotated Bibliography - UNC Charlotte

Further Resources

• Write an Annotated Bibliography (UCSC)
• Purdue OWL: Annotated Bibliographies
• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography (Cornell)
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What is an Annotated Bibliography?  

A  bibliography  is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic. Bibliographies are sometimes called "References" or "Works Cited" depending on the style format you are using. A bibliography usually just includes the bibliographic information (i.e., the author, title, publisher, etc.).

An  annotation  is a summary and/or evaluation. Therefore, an  annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources. Depending on your project or the assignment, your annotations may do one or more of the following.

• 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?

Your annotated bibliography may include some of these, all of these, or even others. If you're doing this for a class, you should get specific guidelines from your instructor.

Why should I write an annotated bibliography?

To learn about your topic : Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project. Just collecting sources for a bibliography is useful, but when you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read each source more carefully. You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information. At the professional level, annotated bibliographies allow you to see what has been done in the literature and where your own research or scholarship can fit. To help you formulate a thesis: Every good research paper is an argument. The purpose of research is to state and support a thesis. So a very important part of research is developing a thesis that is debatable, interesting, and current. Writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good perspective on what is being said about your topic. By reading and responding to a variety of sources on a topic, you'll start to see what the issues are, what people are arguing about, and you'll then be able to develop your own point of view.

To help other researchers : Extensive and scholarly annotated bibliographies are sometimes published. They provide a comprehensive overview of everything important that has been and is being said about that topic. You may not ever get your annotated bibliography published, but as a researcher, you might want to look for one that has been published about your topic.

How do I format an annotated bibliography?

The format of an annotated bibliography can vary, so if you're doing one for a class, it's important to ask for specific guidelines.

The bibliographic information : Generally, though, the bibliographic information of the source (the title, author, publisher, date, etc.) is written in either MLA or APA format.

The annotations:  The annotations for each source are written in paragraph form. The lengths of the annotations can vary significantly from a couple of sentences to a couple of pages. The length will depend on the purpose. If you're just writing summaries of your sources, the annotations may not be very long. However, if you are writing an extensive analysis of each source, you'll need more space.

You can focus your annotations for your own needs. A few sentences of general summary followed by several sentences of how you can fit the work into your larger paper or project can serve you well when you go to draft.

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Sociology Research Guide

• Annotated Bibliography

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

How do i make an annotated bibliography, american sociological association resources, owl purdue resources.

• Style Guide Help
• ASA Sample Annotated Bibliography Eastern Nazarene College provides a sample ASA style Annotated Bibliography.
• ASA Sample Research Paper
• Creating an Annotated Bibliography (UNC Charlotte) Guide Features Example Annotations in APA, ASA and MLA style.

Further Resources

• How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography (Cornell)
• Write an Annotated Bibliography (UCSC)
• Annotated Bibliography (Humboldt)

A  bibliography  is an alphabetical listing of sources that appears at the end of a written work. Bibliographies follow the conventions of the citation style chosen by the author (ie. ASA, APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

An  annotation  is a description of the cited source that includes an evaluation of its nature and value.

Remember!  Abstracts are descriptive summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journals. This is not what you are writing. 

An  annotated bibliography  is created in order to provide future researchers with detailed information about literature in the field.

Consider the scope of your annotated bibliography.  Does it have to be comprehensive? Did your instructor specify how many sources should be included?

Do a search of the literature.  Check the library databases for scholarly articles, books, and other materials on your topic. Look at the citations at the end of the scholarly resources you find to find related resources. Are there titles that appear regularly? Try to find copies of those works, as they may be important in the field of inquiry.

Evaluate your sources.  Read and take notes. Jot down basic impressions about the source and its relevance to your topic.

From your selected sources, create a bibliography in your chosen style (ie. ASA, MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).  The Library has style guides that can help you create an accurate bibliography.

Annotations should briefly:

• Explain the purpose, scope and significance of the source.
• Address the theoretical basis of the work.
• Describe the currency of the source, and how that effects the relevancy of it.
• Consider the biases of the source.
• Mention features such as indices, glossaries, appendices, etc.
• ASA Quick Tips for Students
• ASA Code of Ethics
• Preparation Checklist for ASA Manuscripts
• ASA Formatting Overview of ASA Style Formatting
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Annotated Bibliography: Sociology

Explanation, putting it together, annotate this.

• Gay Athletes, Straight Teams, and Coming Out in Educationally Based Sport Teams Article from Gender and Society

Annotated Bib Vid

Attribution of Content

This material has been used and adapted with the consent of the following group.

Olin Library Reference  Research & Learning Services Cornell University Library Ithaca, NY, USA

Cornell University Library  

Sonoma State  University Library

So you’ve been assigned an annotated bibliography . . . what does that mean?

An annotated bibliography is a descriptive list of resources (books, articles, films, sound recordings, web ites, etc.) focusing on a common theme. Each entry in an annotated bibliography has a full citation and an annotation ranging from a few sentences to several paragraphs.

The citation provides information about the author, title, date, source, and publisher of the item. For SOC 31, citations should be formatted according to MLA or APA style. See our guide on citations for more information.

The annotation is a concise and informative description that summarizes and evaluates the contents of a resource. It differs from an abstract, which just summarizes the original content. An annotation usually strikes a balance between summary and evaluation by addressing some of the following:

Describe briefly the content of a resource Evaluate the usefulness of the item for your topic Explain the methodology that was used Draw attention to any themes addressed Highlight strengths and/or weaknesses Discuss the reliability of the author or source Critically evaluate the content for accuracy, bias and authority

(source: Sonoma State University Library)

ANNOTATIONS VS. ABSTRACTS IN A NUTSHELL

Abstracts are the purely descriptive summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes. Annotations are descriptive and critical; they expose the author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.

THE PROCESS

Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research.

First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.

Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style.

Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that:

(a) evaluate the authority or background of the author (b) comment on the intended audience (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.

CRITICALLY APPRAISING THE BOOK, ARTICLE, OR DOCUMENT

For guidance in critically appraising and analyzing the sources for your bibliography, see  How to Critically Analyze Information Sources . 

CHOOSING THE CORRECT FORMAT FOR THE CITATIONS

Check with your instructor to find out which style is preferred for your class. Online citation guides for both the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) styles will help you. Print copies of both manuals are also available in the library.

SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE

The following example uses APA style ( Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 6th edition, 2010)for the journal citation.

Waite, L. J., Goldschneider, F. K., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults.  American Sociological Review,   51 , 541-554.

• The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.

This example uses MLA style ( MLA Handbook , 8th edition, 2016) for the journal citation.

Waite, Linda J., et al. "Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults."  American Sociological Review,  vol. 51, no. 4, 1986, pp. 541-554.

DECONSTRUCTING ANNOTATIONS

These samples have different strengths and weaknesses. The highlighting demonstrates which part of the annotation is  summary  and which part is  evaluation . A librarian's evaluation of each annotation is provided. 

Annotation 1: 

Ehrenreich, Barbara.  Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.  New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2011. Print. 

In this book of nonfiction  based on the journalist's experiential research ,  Ehrenreich  attempts to ascertain whether it is currently possible for an individual to live on minimum wage in America. Taking jobs as a waitress, a maid in a cleaning service, and a Wal-Mart sales employee, the author summarizes and reflects on her work, her relationships with fellow workers, and her financial struggles in each situation.  A n experienced journalist,  Ehrenreich  is aware of the limitations of her experiment and the ethical implications of her experiential research tactics  and reflects on these issues in the text.  The author is forthcoming about her methods and supplements her experiences with scholarly research  on her places of employment, the economy, and the rising cost of living in America.  Ehrenreich's  project is timely, descriptive, and well-researched.  

Librarian's Score: A-

This annotations includes both summary and evaluation. The evaluation addresses authority and accuracy, but it could be a little stronger. For example, it could answer: What audience would benefit from reading this book? What I like about this annotation is the evaluation includes both the upside and downside to Ehrenreich's approach. It speaks to her position as the author (to wit: she's experienced, but she also backs up her work with research). The summary is also very good. I get a good sense of what this is about. 

Annotation 2: 

Waite, Linda J., Frances Kobrin Goldscheider, and Christina Witsberger. "Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults."  American Sociological Review  51.4 (1986): 541-554. Print.

The authors,  researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men   to test their hypothesis that  nonfamily  living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families.  In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shoes no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living. 

Librarian's Score: C

This annotation is mostly summary. The summary is strong, but the evaluation is weak. I’m glad to learn that the authors work for reputable institutions, but more evaluation could be included.

Annotation 3: 

Kotrla, Kimberly. "Domestic minor sex trafficking in the United States."  Social Work  55.2 (2010): 181-187.  Academic Search Premier.  Web. 15 Mar 2012. 

This article is about the sex trafficking of children and young adults. It is more commonly now being called "domestic minor sex trafficking." It is considered modern-day slavery. The author discusses: victims, the supply and demand of domestic minor sex  traccking , how different countries tolerate it, help provided to survivors, and what this type of trafficking is.  T his evidence is credible because it comes from social workers who work for the government. The goals of this source is to explain to people what domestic minor sex trafficking is, who is at risk, and what social workers can do to stop this problem.  I t also brings up the human trafficking in the United States.   The author, Kimberly  Kotrla , is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She was a social worker for 10 years and does a lot of research about human trafficking.   She gives most of her attention to the sexual exploitation of children in America.  Kotrla  is also on the human trafficking prevention task force committee. The audience of this article is most likely parents of young children and social workers. Published in 2010, it is fairly current. I felt that this source was an easy read, but written for a mature and educated audience.

Librarian's Score: A

This student did a great job of combining summary and evaluation for a highly successful annotation. She told me what the article is about, its content as well as its purpose ("The goals of this source is..."). She addresses the author's credentials, the audience for the piece, and currency, and also the accuracy of the information ("social workers who work for the government"). 

• Last Updated: Mar 21, 2018 3:36 PM
• URL: https://lib.lavc.edu/raskoff-bib

Sociology 131: Marriage & Intimate Relationships

• Selecting An Issue
• Finding Articles
• Writing an Annotated Bibliography
• Finding Organizations
• Citing Sources in APA or MLA

What is an Annotated Bibliography? via Purdue Owl Youtube

• What is Annotated Bibliography Video (5:08) via Purdue Owl Youtube

Annotated Bibliography Templates

• Annotated Bibliography Template from Columbia College (DOCX)
• Annotated Bibliography Template from IRSC Libraries (DOCX)
• Annotated Bibliography Template from MJC (PDF)

Understanding Annotated Bibliographies for this Course

For your paper, you must complete a short annotated bibliography. The purpose of your annotated bibliography is to inform the reader of the relevance, quality, and results of existing research on your chosen social issue. Your overall paper must include 2 minimum annotations of 2 original research articles, and each annotation must be a minimum of 100 words.

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is list of cited sources with a short paragraph about each source. There are many different types of annotated bibliographies depending on what you would like to tell about your source.

An annotation is one of the cited sources is the bibliography list. To complete an annotation you should have a citation , usually in MLA, APA, or Chicago style, and a short paragraph description .

Steps to Write An Annotation

Steps to writing an annotation.

Step 1 : Cite the source properly using a citation style , either APA or MLA format.

Step 2 : Summarize the content of the source. This information may be located in the Abstract or Conclusion of the source. What is the overall message? What are the biggest takeaways or things you learned? What is the conclusion reached by the source?

Step 3 : Explain how this source is relevant to your topic. How does this source discuss your topic? How does it relate to your topic?

Step 4 : Explain the methods or processes used in the source. This information may be located in the Methods section of the source. Does your source discuss an experiment, study, interviews, or other something else? What was done and who was included as participants?

Step 5 : Name and describe the main points, key findings, and themes in your source.

Step 6 : Describe the reliability and credibility of the author and the source itself.  Are they implying something not backed by evidence? Do they make statements not clearly linked to the evidence or data presented? Have other sources cited their work in response?

Example MLA 9 Style Annotation

[STEP 1] Waite, Linda J., et al. “Non-family Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults.” American Sociological Review , vol. 51, no. 4, 1986, pp. 541–54. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/2095586.  

[STEP 2] The authors, sociological and health researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that non-family living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles.  [STEP 4] Data was collected from that experiment in the 1960s using personal interviews and surveys from over 10,000 individuals. [STEP 5] They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. They stated that increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families.  [STEP 3] This study is relevant to the topic as it shows shifting attitudes around sex roles, women's roles in the labor force, and work planning amongst self-ascribed men and women from the 1960s until the 1980s. [STEP 6]  In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of non-family living. It is also noted that this is the beginning of research on other possible non-familty residencies for early adults, specifically as different forces (divorce, etc.) impact living situations. Since then, additional research has been conducted about these measures and their impact on family formation, labor and education including the authors' own book, New Families, No Families? in 1993. This may not be the most current research on this topic but it does provide a foundational understanding of attitudes and sex roles in family living during a twenty year period and is heavily cited by other sociologists investigating changing family roles.

Adapted from LMU Steps of an Annotated Bibliography LibGuide , University of Utah Sample Annotated Bibliographies .

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• Last Updated: Oct 30, 2023 4:14 PM
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Sociology: 2. Annotated Bibliography

• 1. Define Your Topic
• 2. Annotated Bibliography
• 3. Project Types
• SOCI 1010 Yount This link opens in a new window
• Articles / Databases
• Web Resources
• Citation This link opens in a new window

Learn More:

From your instructor.

• Questions about the assignment

From a Librarian

• Finding resources
• APA Citation

From a Writing Tutor

• Feedback on your writing
• Help with spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.

From a Tech Tutor

• Help with Word formatting

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Create a research question pertaining to one of your topic's aspects from the last assignment, find 4 credible sources that help answer the question, and write an annotated bibliography of those sources using APA style.

Create a Research Question & Identify Keywords

• Choose one of the aspects of your topic that interested you from the first assignment.
• Topic: Prison
• Aspect: Education in prison
• Research Question: Should convicts be offered the option to attend college in prison?
• Keywords: prison, college

Find Articles

• Use OneSearch below to search your keywords.
• To the left of the results, limit the Creation Date to the last 5 years. Click Refine.
• To the left of the results, click on Journal Articles.
• Identify articles that could help answer your research question. Click on the title link.
• Click on the Email button and email it to yourself.
• Send all potential articles to your email (at least double what you need).
• OneSearch Search your keywords and use the limiters on the left to focus your results.

Find a Book Chapter (Optional)

• To the left of the results, limit the Creation Date to the last 5 years. Click on Refine.
• To the left of the results, click on Books/eBooks.
• Identify books that could help answer your research question. Click on the title link.
• Send all potential books to your email.

Find a Credible Website (Optional)

• Go to Google below.
• Ex. Prison college site:.org
• Where do they receive funding?
• What is their mission?
• Take notes on their information about the social issue and how they address the issue for your annotation.
• Save the link to the website.
• Google Search Search Google with site:.org, site:.gov, or site:.edu tag.

Review Articles

• Is the author a subject expert (has at least a Master’s degree)?
• Is the topic in the author’s field?
• Read the abstract (first paragraph).
• Read the conclusion or discussion (last section before the references).
• Select 2-3 articles that address different aspects of your research question.
• Read selected articles fully and take notes for your annotation.

Download the APA Bibliography Template

• Download the APA Bibliography Template below.
• Type your research question into the Title spot.
• APA Bibliography Template

Get the APA Citations

• Go to your email that has your articles and books.
• For your 2-3 selected articles, click on the link to see its record on OneSearch.
• Click on the Citation button and the APA (6 th edition) link.
• Copy the citation to clipboard.
• Citations should be alphabetical by the first word of the citation (usually author’s last name).
• Check that your APA Citations are correct with the PSCC Libraries’ APA Guide below.
• For a website or book chapter, use the APA Guide to create its citation.
• APA Citation Guide

Write the Annotation

In 5-7 sentences, summarize the main points of the source. Focus on how it helps answer your research question. 

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• Next: 3. Project Types >>

Studies in Sociology

• Getting Started
• Finding Sources
• Annotated Bibliography
• ASA resources

I can't help myself.

(To be sung to any tune you’d like)

C is for currency,  what’s the date?

R is for relevance , how does it rate?

A is for authority , what’s the author up to?

Another  A for accuracy , is it all true?

One more thing, before you’re through-

P for purpose , is this meant to negate?

The CRAAP Test is a general evaluation tool that can be applied to almost any source you find at college and in your life. 

For more information on evaluating & using sources, check out this guide !

Annotated!?

An annotated bibliography is a way to plan for your paper, share your research with others, and prove that you actually read the references. 

It might sound scary

If you've never done it before, but an annotated bibliography is really easy. You've probably put together bibliographies in the past, and an annotated bibliography isn't that much different and it can be really helpful with the paper-writing process. An entry in an annotated bibliography looks like this:

1. Citation (remember, proper formatting is important!)

2. 2 brief paragraphs.

• Paragraph One: summarizes the source.
• Paragraph Two: assesses the source and talks about how it relates to/will be helpful with your research.

And that's it!  You can easily use Endnote, Mendeley, or another citation tool to create a bibliography and then just add your own annotation below each entry.

Annotated Example

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• Next: ASA resources >>
• Last Updated: Sep 20, 2021 3:28 PM
• URL: https://libguides.westminster.edu/soc200