Annotated Bibliography

What is a bibliography with annotations?

Annotated bibliographies provide a concise overview of all the research that has been done on a certain topic. It's a list with a citation of each source and a short annotation that summarises and evaluates the source. Annotated bibliographies can be used as a stand-alone project or as part of an overall assignment.

Annotated Bibliography: What is it for?

Annotated bibliographies are useful as assignments because they allow you to familiarize yourself with the available material on a specific topic.

An annotated Bibliography may:

• Review the literature on a specific subject.
• Show the depth and quality of your reading;
• Show the range of available sources, such as books, magazines, websites, and journals.
• Cite sources of information that could be useful to other readers, researchers and writers
• Organise and explore sources to further your research.

What is an annotated Bibliography?

Each entry of a biliography is composed of two elements:

1. Bibliographic citations are followed by
2. An annotation is a brief paragraph that provides a concise description and evaluation of each source.

An annotation will usually include a summary and a small analysis or evaluation. You may be required to summarize, analyse, evaluate, critique or analyze each source, depending on the assignment. A brief annotation is possible, but it's more common to use a full paragraph. Below is an example.

A bibliography annotated is arranged in the same way as a standard reference list.

The length of an annotation should range between 100 and 200 words for each citation. However, this will vary by faculty or assessment. Check with your professor about what elements should be included in each annotation.

Annotated bibliography: Steps for writing

1. Select your sources. Locate and note down citations of sources that contain information or ideas about your topic.
2. Check out the items you collected.
3. The correct format should be used to cite the reference.
4. Annotate the text.

Considerations when choosing sources

You should carefully select the sources you will use for your bibliography. For a better understanding of the sources you are selecting, begin by reading their abstracts. Keep in mind that annotated books are not always a'standalone' assignment. They can be the beginning of research into a certain topic or problem, or they could serve as a preliminary literature review. Select sources that together can provide a thorough overview of your topic.

You can clarify your options by asking yourself these questions

• What is the topic/problem I am investigating?
• What question am I researching? (Identify your research goal).
• What is the material I am looking for and why? What kind of material am I looking at and why?
• Do I have a good sense of judgment in selecting my sources? Do they all relate to my topic of research and the requirements for my assignment?
• Do I have a variety of sources? Select sources that offer a range of perspectives on the topic.
• What is the main or essential work on my topic? Are they available? The sources are valuable and often mentioned in other sources.

Sources of information:

While you are reading, make notes about the text that you selected. Attention:

• The author's approach is theoretical.
• Which topics are covered.
• What are the main conclusions or points?
• The author's argument or position.

Read and then evaluate the text.

Note down your evaluations and take into consideration:

• How effectively does the source deal with this topic?
• Is it a comprehensive or a one-sided presentation?
• Are the methods of research appropriate?
• Is this argument logical?
• What does the study say about other studies? Do you agree or disagree?

How do I make annotations?

• Do not write too much. Annotations should not exceed one paragraph (unless the assignment guidelines state otherwise). Write only one paragraph for your annotations (unless you are given specific instructions).

• Summary should be brief summary of main points and arguments. Only include important details and relevant information.
• The annotation can omit any information that is obvious in the sourcel's title.
• It is not common to include background materials or references to earlier work by the author. It is not necessary to cite or cross-reference other texts to support an annotation.
• Be consistent with the style of referencing you use.
• In most cases citations are only needed for quotes or information that is specific to certain pages.
• If not otherwise specified, use academic vocabulary and complete sentences.

Annotated Bibliography: Contents

You can include any or all the elements listed below, depending on how many words you have and the contents of the source.

• Include the complete bibliographic reference.
• The author(s) should be identified.
• Indicate what the text is about.
• Outline main arguments
• Indicate who you are addressing.
• If applicable, indicate the research method.
• Any conclusions drawn by the writer/s.
• Discuss the credibility of the text.
• Highlight any text features that you find unique or valuable, such as charts, graphs etc. charts, graphs etc.
• Discussion of relevance and usefulness for your research.
• Note how the text connects to your course themes and concepts.
• Strengths and limitations should be stated.
• Comment on the text.