An annotated bibliography is simply a Works Cited page in which each citation is followed by an annotation ("note") that describes or evaluates the source (or both). Like a regular Works Cited, sources are listed in alphabetical order.
Annotations let your reader get a little extra insight into your sources and how they support your research.
| Yes | No | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Citation Annotation Citation Annotation Citation Annotation
Correct: Each citation is followed by its annotation. |
Citation Citation Citation Annotation Annotation Annotation
Incorrect: All the citations together, followed by all the annotations. |
Essay Citation Citation Citation
Incorrect: A regular essay (or combined annotations) followed by a Works Cited. |
Explain the main points of the work briefly.
Your summary should be original to you -- don't just copy/paste the publisher summary of a book or the abstract from a scholarly article.
The exact details of what to include will depend on your assignment -- number of sources, what to discuss in the annotation, and length of your commentary.
Generally, the annotation should be no more than a paragraph... unless your prof tells you otherwise. If you must write multiple paragraphs, each is indented, and all fit into the hanging indent of the parent citation.
MLA annotations are generally written as "succinct phrases" (incomplete sentences) but can also be given as complete sentences. Your prof probably expects the complete sentence version!
Don't get too detailed: you should not quote the source or cite evidence for an argument in an annotation.
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