An annotated bibliography is the same as a “regular” bibliography (also known as a Works Cited or References list), with the addition of annotations (short paragraphs about each source).
An annotation judges, in your opinion, the relevance, quality, and accuracy of each citation, in addition to describing the work. Annotations are usually between 50 and 200 words.
Do I have to read the entire book/article?
Not necessarily! Look for information in:
| Questions to Consider: | Examples: |
|---|---|
| What is the material? | Book, chapter, scholarly article, web page |
| What is the work about? | Topics and subjects covered |
| What is the purpose of the work? | Introduction, update, research report |
| Who is the intended audience? | Scholars, general public |
| Who is/are the author(s)? What are their qualifications? | Academic qualifications, research background |
| Authority of the source? | Peer-reviewed journal, reputable publisher |
| Are there any clear biases? | Personal/corporate agenda, unbalanced discussion |
| What are the deficiencies or limitations of the work? | Dubious research methods; information that is clearly missing |
| What are the strengths of the work? | Thorough discussion, extensive research, major work in field |
Start each annotation with a correct citation in the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
**For sample annotations and proper formatting of an annotated bibliography, see these examples from Purdue OWL.
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