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Annotated Bibliography

This guide is focused on annotated bibliographies, without regard to a particular assignment or citation style. Consult your instructor for specific expectations.

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought." -Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography has two major components.

  • The bibliography is an alphabetical listing of citations (sources) you have used during the research and writing process.
  • An annotation follows each citation, providing specific information about that source. 

Format

Image of an annotated bibliography of an article with a citation and descriptive summary of article.

  • Alphabetized sources
  • Double-spaced both citation and annotation (MLA, APA)
    • CMOS: single-space the citation.
  • Hanging indent: only the first line of the citation touches the left margin.
  • Use the examples for correct citation format
  • The annotation is a descriptive 3 - 6 sentence paragraph about an information source . Check your assignment for the purpose of these sentences and a maximum word count.

Purpose

The annotated bibliography is a tool.  As you create the document, you are:

  • thinking critically about the content of the works you are using.
  • asking if the information is useful. 
  • proving you have read and understand your subject.
  • affirming the information is authoritative or trustworthy. 
  • creating a framework for the writing process.

Audience

Quotation marksThere tend to be three major audiences for annotated bibliographies: the authors of the annotations, instructors, and other researchers. Many people find it useful to craft an annotated bibliography while researching topics.

Professional researchers often begin their survey of research by finding annotated bibliographies on a  topic that interests them.

- This description of audience was adapted from the document below as developed by English  Professor Kristie Boston, Spring 2022.-

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