Annotated bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources, such as books, articles and websites, in which each citation is followed by a short paragraph called an annotation. The annotation usually runs about 150 words. It summarizes the source, judges how reliable it is and says how it helps your research. Entries are listed alphabetically by author.
In more detail
It is neither a plain bibliography nor an abstract. A plain bibliography only lists sources. An annotated one adds your own note under each, so a reader can see what the source says and why you picked it. The citation itself follows the style your course requires, such as MLA, APA or Chicago.
There are three common kinds of annotation. A descriptive one only summarizes the source. An evaluative one judges its strengths, weaknesses and reliability. A combination does both, with a short summary and a short evaluation, and it is the most common version. Your assignment tells you which one to write.
Instructors set this task because it makes you read sources before you write, and it shows whether you chose them well. The usual mistakes are copying the source's own abstract, writing only a summary with no judgment, and forgetting to say how the source fits your question. Write every annotation in your own words.
What one annotation can cover
| Part | The question it answers | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | What is the source about and what does it argue? | 2 to 3 sentences |
| Assessment | How credible is the author, and how strong is the evidence? | 1 to 2 sentences |
| Relevance | How does it help your topic or compare with your other sources? | 1 to 2 sentences |
Example
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58. Annotation: This review rates ten popular study techniques by how much evidence supports them. Practice testing and distributed practice earn the highest utility rating, while highlighting and rereading rate low. The authors are cognitive and educational psychologists and the article is peer reviewed, so it is credible, although many of the studies it draws on used short lab tasks rather than whole courses. It supports the paper's claim that self-testing beats rereading and gives a ratings table for section two.
How to use it
- 1
Read the assignment: the citation style, the number of sources, the length of each annotation and whether it should be descriptive, evaluative or both.
- 2
Collect your sources and skim each one, then keep only those that answer your research question.
- 3
Write the full citation in the required style for each source.
- 4
Read the source and note the main claim, the evidence and the author's background.
- 5
Write the annotation in your own words: a short summary, a short assessment and one sentence on how it fits your project.
- 6
Sort the entries alphabetically by the author's last name and apply the hanging indent your style guide asks for.
- 7
Proofread, and check that no annotation repeats the source's abstract.
How StudyPDF does this
StudyPDF helps with the reading, not the formatting. Upload the papers, chapters or web pages as sources and ask Bo about each one. Answers come from that source, with citations that link to the page, so you can check a claim before it goes into an annotation. A summary material gives you key points with inline citations. You write the annotation yourself, in your own words, and you format the citation yourself, since StudyPDF does not generate MLA or APA entries.
See also
Common questions
How long should an annotation be?
Usually one paragraph of about 150 words, though assignments range from about 100 to 300 words. Follow the limit your instructor gives. If there is none, aim for a short summary, a short assessment and one line on relevance.
Can I use I in an annotated bibliography?
It depends on your instructor and style guide. Evaluative annotations sometimes allow first person when you explain how a source fits your project. If you are unsure, ask, or write neutrally, for example this source supports the argument that.
Put it to work on your own course
Upload your lectures and ask Bo. Cited answers, plus flashcards, exams, and more built from your material.