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English Research Guide: Annotated Bibliographies

This research guide features resources and strategies for finding information and conducting research related to English.

The Annotated Bibliography

How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of books, articles, and documents dedicated to a particular subject.

Items in the list include a citation as well as an evaluative and descriptive paragraph which indicates the quality and relevance of the title to the subject at hand.

Annotation vs. Abstract

The purpose of an abstract is to summarize the contents of a title. It is often found at the beginning of a scholarly article.

The purpose of an annotation is to evaluate as well as describe a title.

Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Steps in preparing an Annotated Bibliography:

  • Gather articles/books that speak to your topic of interest.
  • List a citation for each item using the correct style.
  • Write an annotation giving the scope of the item. Consider the qualifications of the author and note the intended audience. Explain how it contributes to your topic. You might compare it to another work in your bibliography

Websites for Annotated Bibliographies

These websites may be helpful as resources for more complete explanations of creating annotated bibliographies. 

They also provide examples of bibliographic entries.

Annotated Bibliographies Examples and Step-by-Step Writing

A Complete Guide to the MLA & APA Annotated Bibliography

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography, with Examples