Questions to help with a concise summary:
- What is the topic that this source covers?
- In brief, what does the author say about the topic and the topic’s importance or significance (major names, dates, places, developments, themes/thesis)?
Questions to help with a concise evaluation:
- How familiar with the relevant material for the topic is the author? Are the materials indicated, and are they mostly primary? mostly secondary?
- Are there any important things about the topic that the source does not cover? If so, does the author explain why?
- How well-written is the source (clarity, organization)?
- How much do the author and the source help you (or readers in general) know and understand about your topic? Why?