Creating an Annotated Bibliography

Jump to: What is an annotated bibliography | Annotations versus abstracts |
What an annotation includes | Which citation style to use |
Sample citations and annotations


What is an annotated bibliography?

  An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each source in the bibliography is represented by a citation that includes the author (if given), title, and publication details of the source. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually) about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation.  The purpose of the annotation is to help the reader evaluate whether the work cited is relevant to a specific research topic or line of inquiry.  


Annotations versus abstracts
 

 
  • Abstracts are brief statements that present the main points of the original work.  They normally do not include an evaluation of the work itself.
     
  • Annotations could be descriptive or evaluative, or a combination of both.  A descriptive annotation summarizes the scope and content of a work whereas an evaluative annotation provides critical comments.

                                                                                                                        

 


What an annotation usually includes?

  Generally, annotations should be no more than 150 words (or 4-6 sentences long). They should be concise and well-written.  Depending on your assignment, annotations may include some or all of the following information:
  • Main focus or purpose of work
  • Intended audience for the work
  • Usefulness r relevance to your research topic (or why it did not meet your expectations)
  • Special features of the work that were unique or helpful
  • Background and credibility of the author
  • Conclusions or observations reached by the author
  • Conclusions or observations reached by you

                                                                                                                       

 

Which citation style to use

  here are many style manuals with specific instructions on how to format your annotated bibliography. The style you use many depend on your subject discipline or the preference of your instructor. Whatever the format, be consistent with the same style throughout the bibliography.

                                                                                                                       

 


Sample citations and annotations

  Book citation example with brief evaluation annotation (MLA)  

   
Fryer, Sarah Beebe. 

This book describes the implementation of  regional planning and land use
regulation in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York.  The authors provide
program evaluations of the Adrondack Park Agency's regulatory and local
planning assistance programs.
   

                                                                                                                                 

 

Book citation example with brief descriptive annotation (APA)

  

   
Liroff, R. A., & G. G. Davis.  (1981). Protecting open space: Land use
        control in the Adirondack Park.  Cambridge, MA: Ballinger.

This book describes the implementation of  regional planning and land use
regulation in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York.  The authors provide
program evaluations of the Adrondack Park Agency's regulatory and local
planning assistance programs.
 
 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                  

  Modified from California State University Pomona guide on annotated bibliographies.  

 

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