Annotated Bibliography Guide
Annotated bibliographies list the sources you plan to use in a research project, with each citation including a brief annotation of a source. These are useful tools in the research process, as they allow you to engage critically with a variety of sources and to evaluate the sources’ relationship to your topic. During the process of writing an annotated bibliography, you’ll synthesize and analyze many different sources related to your research question. This analysis will allow you to gain a better perspective on your research topic and can prepare you to develop your own argument.
Each entry in an annotated bibliography has two parts:
- The citation of the source in the appropriate format, such as MLA, APA, CMS, etc.
- An annotation, which is comprised of a summary, analysis, and reflection of the source.
Generally, each annotation is one to two paragraphs long or about 150-250 words. This will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the source so you can analyze its usefulness to your research and topic.
Parts of an Annotated Bibliography
1. The Citation
Cite the source in the appropriate format required of your project. If you’re unsure which citation style to use, check with your professor or choose the one most appropriate to your discipline. Additionally, arrange the citations in the order they will appear in the references or works cited page.
2. The Annotation
This includes key information about the source: a summary, an analysis, and a reflection.
Summarization of the Source
- What are the source’s main arguments?
- What are the most important details of the source that are relevant to your own argument?
Analysis of the Source
- Does the source display a particular perspective or bias?
- Is the source reliable? Why or why not?
- What is the author’s expertise and background?
- Who is the intended audience of this source?
Reflection of the Source
- How will you use this source in your paper? Where does the source fit in your research? You can think about whether the source will be used as background information, as a counterargument, to emphasize a certain point of view, etc.
- How has the source contributed to your understanding of your research question?
- Compare and contrast this source to other sources used in your paper.
When creating your annotation, you might not have to answer all these questions! Your annotation should include information that is most beneficial for your own research purposes. Additionally, it can be very useful to revisit or revise the annotations as your research process continues because your understanding of the topic and your perspective on how the source fits into your research may evolve over time.
MLA Annotated Bibliography Entry Example
