'annal-writing' is a modern compound formed from 'annal' + 'writing'. 'annal' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'annales' (from 'annus'), where 'annus' meant 'year'; 'writing' originates from Old English 'writan', originally meaning 'to scratch or score'.

'annal' passed from Latin 'annales' into Medieval Latin and Middle English (as 'annales'/'annal'), becoming the modern English 'annals'/'annal'; 'write' comes from Old English 'writan', through Middle English to modern English 'write', and combined in modern times to form the compound 'annal-writing'.

Initially, 'annal' meant 'pertaining to years' or referred to 'yearly records'; over time it has come to mean 'a record of events year by year', and combined with 'writing' it denotes 'the act or practice of producing such records'.