How to Do an Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography is a scholarly document where the reference list citations are followed by brief descriptions of the work, referred to as annotations. It can constitute a section of a whole paper in fields that require bibliographies instead of reference lists or can be considered a document by itself. If you are searching for expert guidance or an annotated bibliography writing service, our professional writers summarize the information of the entries in the references to demonstrate their credibility and relevance. We are available 24/7 and have helped many students complete their annotated bibliographies for over a decade.

This article is a comprehensive guide to the annotated bibliography, highlighting key areas such as the format, structure, and how to do and format the document according to the American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), and Chicago.

What Should an Annotated Bibliography Include?

The structure of the annotated bibliography differs depending on its purpose. However, all annotated bibliographies contain two main elements: List of citations and annotation. This section discusses these two components:

List Citations

The citation is the first section of the annotated bibliography. It is a structure that provides enough bibliographic information (title, author, publisher, and date) to enable the reader to identify and obtain the original resource. The format for the citation is specified by either the discipline or the intended publication (APA, MLA, and Chicago).

Annotations

The annotation is a summary and/or evaluation of the citation source listed. Illustrate how the references are organized, the main type of evidence the author relies on, and how the writer presents their argument. Demonstrate how the source contributes to the research topic. Annotations are categorized into five sections:

• Evaluative annotations assess the reliability and credibility of a source.
• Summative annotations emphasize the main points and arguments of the citation.
• Descriptive annotations illustrate the main sections and features of the reference.
• Reflective annotations demonstrate how other researchers can use a source.
• Combined annotations merge two or more of the annotation types mentioned.

How Long Should an Annotated Bibliography Be?

The length of the annotated bibliography depends on the purpose and institutional guidelines. Other factors that determine the length of this section are: The type of annotation used, citation style, field of research, sources used to conduct research, and the study level. It is important because it allows the researcher to critically evaluate and understand the existing body of literature in the field, thus building a foundation for their study.

How to Do an Annotated Bibliography?

Step 1: Select Relevant Sources

Select sources related to the topic under study and comprehensively answer the research question. Use peer-reviewed sources such as journal articles and books and assess whether the information presented in the reference is accurate and up to date. Ensure that the citations chosen fit the institution's guidelines and requirements.

Step 2: Present the Main Argument

Present a critical summary of the main argument presented in the reference. This includes the problem the author is trying to address, gaps in the source that need to be filled, and the implications of the information. Assess how the major argument is presented in the introduction and conclusion of the reference cited.

Step 3: Evaluate the Value of the Source

Evaluate the credibility of the chosen source by reexamining the research question and thesis statement. Assess the main lesson learned from the source, gaps in knowledge that have been filed, and its contribution to the field of research. Based on the outline of the main document, determine how the source will contribute to the research topic.

Step 4: Write the Annotated Bibliography

Write the annotated bibliography starting with the reference list entries, followed by a summary of the source. Proceed to evaluate the reference, illustrating the credibility of the source and how it answers the research question under study. Format the information according to the specified citation style as specified by the institution.

Step 5: Editing and Proofreading

Editing is refining the paper to ensure clarity and a logical presentation of the arguments presented. Proofreading involves reevaluating the final draft of the annotated bibliography to get rid of errors such as misspellings and mistakes related to grammar and punctuation. Evaluate whether the references follow the guidelines of the specified style.

Annotated Bibliography Template

What should an annotated bibliography include?

Every annotated bibliography template consists of four sections which are:

• Citation- Citation includes the source used to acquire information for the research. The citations should be organized alphabetically relevant to the citation style you are using.
• Summary- using 2 or 3 sentences, give a summary of the sources' main argument while highlighting the evidence used to support it.
• An analysis- In 1 or 2 sentences, give your views on the information acquired from the source and discuss any strengths and limitations you discovered in the study.
• Application- Conclude the annotated bibliography by stating how you will apply the information acquired in your own research. Explain to the reader the significance of this source and how you can put it in the context of other sources.

Citation Styles Used in Annotated Bibliographies

APA style

The APA style was introduced in the year 1929 and is mostly used in the fields of social sciences. Four elements of the reference list are the author, date, title, and source. The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and URL are also presented for information acquired from academic research databases. Below is an example of an annotated bibliography in APA:

Maxwell, T.D. (2019). Causes of exam anxiety. In K. R. Mammarella, S. Caviola, & A. Dowker

(Eds.), Examination Anxiety: What is Known (pp. 1–19). CRC Press.

The Causes of Exam Anxiety Book by Maxwell gives a detailed explanation of the

causes of examination anxiety among college students. The author illustrates findings

from multiple studies showing the factors affecting text anxiety during the examination

period and their coping strategies. The source is important to my research as it provides

a strong foundation for the factors leading to the anxiety and coping methods and offers

enough data that will contribute to my research.

MLA style

The MLA style is mostly used in the humanities field, particularly in history, art, and philosophy. Below is an example of an annotated bibliography in MLA:

Stinson, Barney. Understanding Journals: The Invisible Art. CBC Press, 2023

This graphic novel, by Barney Stinson, is a fundamental scholarly document that highlights key factors such as how to read and interpret different sections of the journal articles. This book is a comprehensive guide to how to identify and navigate the best databases for academic journals. Much of my research has referenced this source because it provides a comprehensive explanation of key concepts related to scholarly publications.

Chicago style

This style was first published by the University of Chicago. It is mostly used in the fields of philosophy, history, and others. Below is an example of an annotated bibliography in Chicago style:

Stiles, Scott. 2020. Social Media's Negative Effect on Teenager's Mental Health. GCC Publishers, 2023.

The Social Media's Negative Effect on Teenager's Mental Health journal article by Stiles

Scott contributes to the body of knowledge on the adverse effects of social media on adolescent mental health, specifically in America. He suggests that cyberbullying is one of the major factors that contribute to the mental health decline in most youth in the United States. He also highlights that the pre-existing mental health of the adolescent and the level of use should be considered as a potential mediator between the two variables. This article is relevant to my study because it provides substantial evidence on the effects of social media and supports the argument presented in my study.

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Summary

An annotated bibliography is a list of references with extra notes about each source. The aim of writing an annotated bibliography is to help the reader understand the research topic by putting it in the context of other studies in the same research area. Different writing styles can be used to write annotated bibliographies, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. The style to be used depends on the one specified by your supervisor. In case you are running late on deadlines or need help writing your bibliography, you can buy an annotated bibliography from an online writing service like ours. Our expert writers ensure timely delivery without compromising on quality. Don't stress about writing your paper when that's our job! Contact us, request a free quote now, and get started!

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