Courtesy Kimbel Library, Coastal Carolina University
Length
Generally, annotations constitute one paragraph and are approximately 100 -150 words long.
Purpose
The purpose of the annotations may vary. Check with your professor for specific parameters. In general, the annotations are critical and evaluative and can include an assessment of the appropriateness of the source for the project at hand. They can also be descriptive and provide summaries.
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.
Consult the individual style manuals for proper formatting and spacing. Style manuals are available at the Research Assistance Desk.
(Sample entry courtesy Cornell University Library)