Annotated bibliographies are a list of sources that you intend to use for your paper, accompanied by descriptions of them. Works Cited pages focus on only those which are cited within the text, with a preference for primary literature. In comparison, bibliographies include sources that provide background knowledge and major works relevant to the topic in addition to those cited as evidence. The purpose of this guide is to provide a step-by-step resource for the process. The examples used here follow the Chicago Manual of Style.
Anyone can make a list of sources. Annotations give insight, showing not only that you've familiarized yourself with the sources, but that you're already considering how they'll be used in the context of your paper.
Annotations should provide a thorough picture of your source. Aim for two paragraphs of about 4-5 sentences each. The exact length can vary, however; always check with your professor if you're unsure!
Sometimes that's the case, but article abstracts, introductions, conclusions, and tables of contents can help you get an idea of a source's content and relevance to your paper without needing to read pages and pages. Use those to help you compose annotations.
While they are similar in length and scope, don't just copy and paste abstracts for your annotations. These need to be in your own words, and should clearly relate to the paper you're planning to write.
Not necessarily. Think of an annotated bibliography as a research plan. As you write the paper, that plan might change. Sources that seemed essential might become less important or even irrelevant, and you may find yourself in need of additional research down the line. An annotated bibliography is not set in stone.
First, locate reputable sources. The assignment description will usually detail what types of sources are acceptable to use. Start with established reference resources, then search more broadly. Consider relevant keywords. Filter for date ranges and document types.
Use library resources
Or the internet
Compile all of the information needed to make a citation. Complete citation allows readers to locate the specific source being referenced. Choose a style, such as Turabian or MLA, and be consistent.
An annotation is a description of the source. This might be a simple summary of its contents, or an assessment of its value, or a discussion of how you plan to use the source, or a combination of all three of these. Provide the reader with enough information to understand your reasoning for including each source. Consider which questions are most relevant based on your individual topic as well as the specific content and planned usage of each source.
Citations provide the headers for the annotations. Sources should be organized alphabetically.
Hale, Edward E., and Edward E. Hale, Jr. Franklin in France. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1887.
Covering the period from Franklin's first visit to France in 1767 to the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, Hale and Hale supplement their descriptions of events with Franklin's own words, taken from letters and other writings. The printing of this volume marks the first time many of the letters were published, as the authors explain in their preface. This makes for a unique combination, as reading it offers not only firsthand discussions of events by Franklin himself, but analyses from historians a century after.