A bibliography at the end of a research paper, article, or book lists the sources used during the writing and research process. Each entry is a full bibliographic citation which provides basic publication information about each source, e.g., author, title, publisher, date and page numbers. This helps readers locate those original sources for more information. The title of the bibliography varies, depending on the citation style used, but may be Works Consulted, Works Cited, or References.
An annotated bibliography is more substantive. In addition to the citations for the sources used, a short annotation of each source is provided. The content of an annotation varies. It might summarize, evaluate, and/or critique a source, among other things. The length of an annotation also varies, but is generally just a few sentences or a paragraph. The citation style used to create the annotated bibliography (APA, MLA, Turabian, etc.) is up to your professor.
The following web sites provide some additional information. Because the format, content and length of annotations vary, please ask your professor for guidelines to follow when beginning your assignment.
- Annotated Bibliographies - (Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), Purdue University)
Definitions of and reasons for an annotated bibliography, and brief information on what an annotation might contain. Examples of APA, MLA, Chicago style annotated bibliography entries.
- Annotated Bibliography - (The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Provides explanations of four different types of annotations: indicative, informative, evaluative, and combination, with an example of each (see the "What Goes Into the Content of the Annotations" link). Also includes a brief discussion on what formatting style and writing style to use.
- Bibliographies - (University of Kansas Writing Center)
See section on writing an Annotated Bibliography. Brief explanation of an annotated bibliography, along with information on two types of entries: descriptive and evaluative. An example of each type is given.
- How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography - (Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University)
A brief explanation of what an annotated bibliography is, as well as an example annotated entry for a journal article in both APA and MLA styles.
- Write an Annotated Bibliography - (University Library, University of California-Santa Cruz)
Information on the composition and purpose of an annotated bibliography. Examples of annotated entries in two writing styles—phrase style and complete-sentence style—are given.
