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Annotated Bibliographies

Overview

 

These pages contain content adapted from Creating Entries for an Annotated Bibliography: UW Libraries, UW Bothell Writing Center,  How to prepare an annotated bibliography: Cornell University Library and Annotated Bibliographies handout. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and are licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC 4.0), except where otherwise noted.

What is an Annotation?

An annotation summarizes the essential ideas contained in a document, reporting the author's thesis and main points as well as how they relate to your own ideas or thesis. There are two types of annotations: summative and evaluative (see examples under the 'Types of Annotations' tab on this guide). Annotations are typically brief (one paragraph) but may be longer depending on the requirements of your assignment.

If you are creating an annotated bibliography for a class assignment, check with your instructor to determine the citation format, length and the type of annotations you will be writing. 

Remember, your annotation should show that you have done more than simply describe what is in the source!

Why Do an Annotated Bibliography?

Here are some reasons:

  • An annotated bibliography provides information about each source you have used
    One of the reasons behind citing sources and compiling a general bibliography is so that you can prove you have done some valid research to back up your argument and claims. Annotated bibliographies include additional details that provide an overview of the sources themselves.
  • Each annotation provides essential details about a source
    Readers, researchers or instructors reading an annotated bibliography will get a snapshot of the important details that they need to know about each source. As a researcher, you have become an expert on your topic: you have the ability to explain the content of your sources, assess their usefulness, and share this information with others who may be less familiar with them.
  • Some types of annotations provide details about what the paper's author has done with or thinks about each source
    Certain types of annotations (Evaluative Annotations, for example) may provide a brief analysis of the source by the paper's author, including details about what information is most important or not, how it the source fits into the broader scope of the paper and why it may or may not be useful to others.

What Should be Included in the Annotation? 

Some information your annotation might provide:  

  • What is the author's thesis and main points? 
  • Who is the author, what is his/her authority or background? 
  • Who is the author’s intended audience? 
  • What parts of the subject does the source emphasize or de-emphasize? 
  • Is there any bias or slant in the source? 
  • Are there any obvious omissions that seem important to the ideas being discussed? 
  • Does the evidence clearly support the author’s main point? 
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the source (critical evaluation)? 

Visit the Evaluating Sources page for information on how to critically evaluate sources for your annotations.

What Format Should I Use for the Citations?
 

  • Check with your instructor for the citation format is required for your assignment. (Examples: APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)

  • See the Library's Citation Help page for additional information about specific citation formats.