How
to Write an Annotated Bibliography
What is an Annotated
Bibliography?
A bibliography is a list
of sources such as journal articles, books, or websites used
in research. An annotated bibliography is also a list of citations
to research sources, with the difference that a brief critical
or descriptive note called an annotation follows each citation.
Why Write an Annotated
Bibliography?
An annotated bibliography
can fulfill many purposes. The following are common reasons
for compiling an annotated bibliography:
- record the results of initial research prior to writing an essay (i.e.
"Here is what I have learned so far from these particular
sources.")
- demonstrate that you have found relevant sources and that you understand
how they relate to your essay’s thesis or general purpose
- list and describe sources which provide useful background to your topic
(E.g. different critical perspectives or historical coverage
of your topic)
Before you begin, be sure you understand
the requirements and purpose of your annotated bibliography.
Format for Bibliographic
Citations
An annotated bibliography entry has two parts: the bibliographic citation and the annotation.
The bibliographic citation contains author, title and publication
information. Use the same bibliographic citation format as
you would for any bibliography, works cited or reference list.
It will follow a standard documentation style such as MLA
or APA.
This is an example of
a bibliographic citation for a journal article in MLA documentation
style.
Platt, Kevin M. F. "History
and Despotism, or: Hayden White vs. Ivan the Terrible and
Peter the Great."
Rethinking History
3:3 (1999) : 247-269.
Be sure to ask
your instructor which documentation style to use before you
begin.
Types of Annotations
Simply put, an annotation
is a critical or explanatory note. Just as there are different
reasons for writing an annotated bibliography, there are different
types of annotations. Annotations do one of more of the following:
- describe the content and focus of the book or
article (Summary)
- evaluate its method, conclusions, or reliability
(Evaluation)
- record your reactions to the source. (Evaluation)
- suggest the source’s usefulness to your research
(Context)
Summary
A summary briefly describes the contents of a source without
adding any evaluative comments. In your own words, highlight
the central argument and the main topics discussed by the
author(s). Remember that a summary does not include any judgement
or assessment of the source, it merely describes the contents.
Evaluation
An annotation that evaluates a source will offer judgment
and your opinions. You may evaluate different aspects of the
source such as
- reliability (can the information be trusted?)
- currency (is the information up to date?)
- authority (are the authors experts in their field?)
- accuracy (is the information correct?)
- scope (does the author offer a broad overview or an in-depth examination
of a topic?)
- Ask yourself what the author’s purpose was and
whether you think he or she accomplishes it. You can also
comment on the author’s bias or use of particular theories.
Place in Context
of Your Research
An annotation that considers a source in the context of your
research will comment on the source’s usefulness to you and
on how it compares to your other sources. You may want to
point out similarities and differences amongst your sources
(e.g. same theoretical point of view, different examples,
same main argument, different methodology, etc.) You may also
comment on how a source relates to your own thesis. (Does
a source support your argument or oppose it?)
Keep in mind that
a single annotation may offer summary and evaluation of a
source and then discuss it in relation to your research.
Helpful Books
& Library Research Guides at the Connecticut College Libraries
Harner,
James L. On compiling an annotated bibliography. 2nd
ed. – New York: Modern Language Association, 2000. Reference
Desk Z2001 H33 2000
“Citation Guides for Print
and Electronic Resources” Connecticut College Libraries Homepage.
Online. http://www.conncoll.edu/is/info-resources/subject-guides/citationguide.html.
The Roth Writing
Center, Connecticut College.
http://www.conncoll.edu/academics/departments/english/write/
Online Guides
to Writing An Annotated Bibliography
OWL Writing
Lab, "Annotated Bibliographies"
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_annotatedbib.html
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
Writing Center, "Academic Writing: Annotated Bibliography"
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/AnnotatedBibliography.html
Modified by permission
from:
University of Toronto at Mississauga Library. “How to Write an Annotated Bibliography” Developed
and Updated by UTM Librarians, maintained by Susan Kernohan,
Revised June 06, 2003. Available online : http://www.erin.utoronto.ca/library/utml/common/helps/information/howtowritebiblio.html.
Beth Hansen 3/4/2004
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