Consider these three examples of how the first sentences of an annotated bibliography can address a source’s use of rhetorical strategies:

• Crucial to Spunk & Bite’s persuasiveness is Plotnik’s ethos as a friendly iconoclast, which he begins to establish with the title of his first chapter: “E.B. Whitewashed.”
• A range of words that lend it academic credibility surround Helen Fein’s essay “Genocide by Attrition 1939-1993,” including “Harvard,” “PhD,” and an abstract in three languages. This probably increases the essay’s persuasive power for studious audiences.
• The first chapter of John C. Bean’s Engaging Ideas begins with a rational for the book’s organization: “Teachers who are pressed for time can read this chapter and then . . . turn directly to the other chapters that address their most immediate concerns” (1-2). This direct appeal to his audience, indicating an awareness of their needs and respect for their autonomy, very likely persuades them to read on.