An annotated bibliography is a list of citations with a brief paragraph, or annotation, after each source. An annotation should do three things:
What is the purpose of an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography is a useful part of the research process, one that can either serve as a step before you write a research paper or a standalone document. Creating an annotated bibliography helps you understand your sources and think critically about their content, their place within a field of study, and their relation to your research and ideas. Once you've demonstrated an understanding of your sources and how they illuminate your topic, you'll be able to better synthesize this information into a research paper.
How do I create an annotated bibliography?
1. Formulate a research question.
2. Start searching for sources here or use one of our subject-specific guides to find books, articles, and other resources that address your research question.
3. Evaluate your sources, choosing the ones that contain the most useful information and ideas about your topic.
4. Cite each source using the style designated by your instructor.
5. Create an annotation for each source.