In terms of the Throwaway passage that I have been using as an example, some of the questions regarding annotation would apply in print or in a digital format. But others apply mainly to a digital presentation, or take on different connotations on the screen.
| Can there be too much information? Too little? Is there a desirable mean? |
Obviously, an annotator can present too little information. In print, space considerations sometimes force the annotator into this position. Too much? This is probably a matter of context. Beginning readers who want a quick definition of a word or identification of a person or place or historical event in order to understand a passage will probably find an annotation less than helpful, to the point of uselessness, if it goes on and on with all kinds of scholarly knowledge, especially if the information the readers want isn't easy to find within the exposition. And yet other readers will probably desire the extra information, and even some beginners will become interested enough in the topic to be inspired to stop their reading to learn more.
The best solution to this situation, and one that digital presentation can do well, is to give in the first instance only a short introductory note but to provide clearly marked links in that note that lead to more information. Readers who don't want anything more can quickly move back to the text, and those who do can follow the links that are provided.
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