Annotated bibliographies

Writing an annotated bibliography requires various intellectual skills, including succinct analysis, concise exposition, and informed library research. It can prove challenging to students doing it for the first time. However, with the right guidelines, it is one of the most rewarding assignments.

This article on annotated bibliographies covers its essential components and provides a general structure that you can follow as you write yours.

What is an Annotated bibliography?

A general bibliography, also called references or works cited, is a compiled list of sources that have been used for researching a topic. The bibliography typically includes bibliographic information such as the title, author, publisher, etc. The references listed can be books, journals, periodicals, websites, etc.

An annotated bibliography provides a list of research sources and includes an annotation for every source. An annotation is a critical evaluation or summary of the source. This additional information about the research sources of a text or argument helps the reader make an informed decision about which source they should spend their time on.

The page containing the annotated bibliography is typically labeled, "references" or "works cited" depending on the citation format. As such, specific annotated bibliography essay topics are uncommon. When placed at the beginning of the research paper, the annotated bibliography can influence the topic ideas. In such cases, annotated bibliography topics should match the titles of the material being analyzed.

There are two types of annotations:

A summary annotation: It focuses on the description of the source by answering questions about: The author of the document, when it was written, what it discusses, why it was produced, and how it came to the public.
An evaluation annotation: It focuses on description and evaluation. In addition to a summary, evaluation annotations assess the work critically for accuracy, quality, and relevance. Evaluative annotations can help the reader learn about a topic, decide if a particular source is useful for their assignment, develop a thesis statement and determine if the sources provide enough valid information to complete their project.

Purpose of an annotated bibliography

There are two main reasons for writing an annotated bibliography. These are:

To learn about your topic

Collecting information about a topic may not be very effective at teaching a student about a topic. When you are forced to write annotations, you have to read each source more deeply. In-depth reading gives you a better perspective on your topic and helps you identify the issues raised and claims made by other authors. This enables you to develop your perspective and develop a current, debatable, and interesting thesis

To help other researchers.

Your annotated bibliography gives other researchers a complete overview of everything important your writing has covered about the topic. Scholarly annotated bibliographies that are published provide researchers a comprehensive overview of all important things that have been said about their topic of interest.

Structure of an annotated bibliography

An annotated bibliography typically comprises of two parts: a reference/citation and an annotation. What is included in these two parts varies between disciplines and assignments. Be sure to consult your instructor about course-specific and assignment-specific requirements.

1. Reference

The reference should present the details of your source complying with the prescribed referencing style. The sources in the reference should be alphabetized by the author's last names.

2. Annotation

The format of annotations is usually three paragraphs. Each annotation should feature the following components in each paragraph.

Description or summary of the source
The first part of the annotation briefly outlines the author's main points and provides an overview of the methodology or approach they have used. The summary is not always mandated. When you include it, it should comprise one or two sentences or a single coherent paragraph. The size depends on the purpose and instructions given.
Analysis or critique of the study

This involves considering the strengths and limitations of each source. When performing an evaluation or critical analysis of a source, you should ponder on the following questions:

What assumptions has the author made?
Is there a logical flow in the argument?
Limitations of the methodology
Does the evidence lead to the conclusions?
Does the study contribute to the debate or scholarly discussion on the topic?

Reflection

Often, you are asked to reflect on the usefulness of a source to your research. You should provide a one or two-sentence statement stating the source's usefulness, followed by a brief explanation. Other times you can be asked for a reflection on the relationship between the source and the themes.

Formatting

The formatting of your annotated bibliography should follow the following guidelines:

Alphabetized by the author: Your sources should be alphabetized by the author's last names.
No headings: Do not include headings before annotations
Brief: Keep your annotations clear and concise. The standard length is usually one to three paragraphs.

The process of writing an annotated bibliography

You can write an annotated bibliography in three easy steps.

Step one: Locate citations to periodicals, books, journals, and other documents that may contain useful ideas and information about your topic. Record and review the sources and choose those that provide a useful perspective on your topic.

Step two: Using the recommended style, cite the article, book, or document.

Step three: Write an annotation that covers the central theme and scope of your source. Use the prescribed format for the annotation.

In Conclusion

For an academic assignment, it is important to read the instructions provided on how you should structure your annotated bibliography. You should also note the types and number of sources you are required to include and the formatting style for your paper. Use annotated bibliography examples to get as idea of what is expected.