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Writing a Literature Review

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A literature review is a document or section of a document that collects key sources on a topic and discusses those sources in conversation with each other (also called synthesis ). The lit review is an important genre in many disciplines, not just literature (i.e., the study of works of literature such as novels and plays). When we say “literature review” or refer to “the literature,” we are talking about the research ( scholarship ) in a given field. You will often see the terms “the research,” “the scholarship,” and “the literature” used mostly interchangeably.

Where, when, and why would I write a lit review?

There are a number of different situations where you might write a literature review, each with slightly different expectations; different disciplines, too, have field-specific expectations for what a literature review is and does. For instance, in the humanities, authors might include more overt argumentation and interpretation of source material in their literature reviews, whereas in the sciences, authors are more likely to report study designs and results in their literature reviews; these differences reflect these disciplines’ purposes and conventions in scholarship. You should always look at examples from your own discipline and talk to professors or mentors in your field to be sure you understand your discipline’s conventions, for literature reviews as well as for any other genre.

A literature review can be a part of a research paper or scholarly article, usually falling after the introduction and before the research methods sections. In these cases, the lit review just needs to cover scholarship that is important to the issue you are writing about; sometimes it will also cover key sources that informed your research methodology.

Lit reviews can also be standalone pieces, either as assignments in a class or as publications. In a class, a lit review may be assigned to help students familiarize themselves with a topic and with scholarship in their field, get an idea of the other researchers working on the topic they’re interested in, find gaps in existing research in order to propose new projects, and/or develop a theoretical framework and methodology for later research. As a publication, a lit review usually is meant to help make other scholars’ lives easier by collecting and summarizing, synthesizing, and analyzing existing research on a topic. This can be especially helpful for students or scholars getting into a new research area, or for directing an entire community of scholars toward questions that have not yet been answered.

What are the parts of a lit review?

Most lit reviews use a basic introduction-body-conclusion structure; if your lit review is part of a larger paper, the introduction and conclusion pieces may be just a few sentences while you focus most of your attention on the body. If your lit review is a standalone piece, the introduction and conclusion take up more space and give you a place to discuss your goals, research methods, and conclusions separately from where you discuss the literature itself.

Introduction:

  • An introductory paragraph that explains what your working topic and thesis is
  • A forecast of key topics or texts that will appear in the review
  • Potentially, a description of how you found sources and how you analyzed them for inclusion and discussion in the review (more often found in published, standalone literature reviews than in lit review sections in an article or research paper)
  • Summarize and synthesize: Give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole
  • Analyze and interpret: Don’t just paraphrase other researchers – add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole
  • Critically Evaluate: Mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
  • Write in well-structured paragraphs: Use transition words and topic sentence to draw connections, comparisons, and contrasts.

Conclusion:

  • Summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and emphasize their significance
  • Connect it back to your primary research question

How should I organize my lit review?

Lit reviews can take many different organizational patterns depending on what you are trying to accomplish with the review. Here are some examples:

  • Chronological : The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time, which helps familiarize the audience with the topic (for instance if you are introducing something that is not commonly known in your field). If you choose this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order. Try to analyze the patterns, turning points, and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field. Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred (as mentioned previously, this may not be appropriate in your discipline — check with a teacher or mentor if you’re unsure).
  • Thematic : If you have found some recurring central themes that you will continue working with throughout your piece, you can organize your literature review into subsections that address different aspects of the topic. For example, if you are reviewing literature about women and religion, key themes can include the role of women in churches and the religious attitude towards women.
  • Qualitative versus quantitative research
  • Empirical versus theoretical scholarship
  • Divide the research by sociological, historical, or cultural sources
  • Theoretical : In many humanities articles, the literature review is the foundation for the theoretical framework. You can use it to discuss various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts. You can argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach or combine various theorical concepts to create a framework for your research.

What are some strategies or tips I can use while writing my lit review?

Any lit review is only as good as the research it discusses; make sure your sources are well-chosen and your research is thorough. Don’t be afraid to do more research if you discover a new thread as you’re writing. More info on the research process is available in our "Conducting Research" resources .

As you’re doing your research, create an annotated bibliography ( see our page on the this type of document ). Much of the information used in an annotated bibliography can be used also in a literature review, so you’ll be not only partially drafting your lit review as you research, but also developing your sense of the larger conversation going on among scholars, professionals, and any other stakeholders in your topic.

Usually you will need to synthesize research rather than just summarizing it. This means drawing connections between sources to create a picture of the scholarly conversation on a topic over time. Many student writers struggle to synthesize because they feel they don’t have anything to add to the scholars they are citing; here are some strategies to help you:

  • It often helps to remember that the point of these kinds of syntheses is to show your readers how you understand your research, to help them read the rest of your paper.
  • Writing teachers often say synthesis is like hosting a dinner party: imagine all your sources are together in a room, discussing your topic. What are they saying to each other?
  • Look at the in-text citations in each paragraph. Are you citing just one source for each paragraph? This usually indicates summary only. When you have multiple sources cited in a paragraph, you are more likely to be synthesizing them (not always, but often
  • Read more about synthesis here.

The most interesting literature reviews are often written as arguments (again, as mentioned at the beginning of the page, this is discipline-specific and doesn’t work for all situations). Often, the literature review is where you can establish your research as filling a particular gap or as relevant in a particular way. You have some chance to do this in your introduction in an article, but the literature review section gives a more extended opportunity to establish the conversation in the way you would like your readers to see it. You can choose the intellectual lineage you would like to be part of and whose definitions matter most to your thinking (mostly humanities-specific, but this goes for sciences as well). In addressing these points, you argue for your place in the conversation, which tends to make the lit review more compelling than a simple reporting of other sources.

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Sample Abstract from ERIC

The image below shows an example Abstract that includes the purpose, methods, results, and implications (in that order). 

example Abstract that includes the purpose, methods, results, and implications (in that order)

Save annotations in EBSCO account

Use the "Create Note" tool and write your annotation. Copy/paste it to your paper.  Or sign up for an EBSCO account (free) so you can save notes.

Create note feature located on the left pointed out in the EBSCO interface

Save your annotations in your EndNote Basic Account

If you are using your EndNote Basic account to keep track of your references,

  • write your annotation in the the "Reference Notes" field,   
  • then when you are FORMATING your paper and creating your BIBLIOGRAPHY, choose the STYLE APA ANNOTATION SENTENCE STYLE.

formatted bibliography with APA style selected as the style

Example of Annotated Bibliographies entries (in APA format)  

Goldschneider, F. K., Waite, L. J., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among  young adults.  American Sociological Review,   51,  541-554.

The authors, researchers at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans, and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females, while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency, and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.  

Graybosch, A., Scott, G.M. & Garrison, S. (1998). The Philosophy Student Writer's Manual.  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Designed to serve as either as a writing guide or as a primary textbook for teaching philosophy through writing, the  Manual  is an excellent resource for students new to philosophy. Like other books in this area, the  Manual  contains sections on grammar, writing strategies, introductory informal logic and the different types of writing encountered in various areas of philosophy. Of particular note, however, is the section on conducting research in philosophy. The research strategies and sources of information described there are very much up-to-date, including not only directories and periodical indexes, but also research institutes, interest groups and Internet resources.

Examples of What Your Bibliography Should Not Look Like:

Marieb, Elaine N. (1992). Human Anatomy and Physiology  Redwood City, CA: The Benjamin/ Cummings Co.

  • I use this book to get the basic information about arthritis, it was very informative.

Keefe FJ., (1996) Pain in Arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders.  Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 24, 279-290

  • I got all the facts about exercising with arthritis and the different types of exercise.

How to write an annotated blbiography

An annotated bibliography is....

  • a list of citations to books, articles, and documents
  • in an appropriate style format  i.e.,APA, Chicago Manual of Style, etc.
  • with brief (usually about 150 words)  descriptive and evaluative  paragraphs -- the annotations (or abstracts).

The annotations  inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources;  they expose the  author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.

The Process

  • First, locate books, articles, reports, etc. Use library databases like ERIC ,   Education Source   or Google Scholar . Get help on this at  http://guides.lib.purdue.edu/education .
  • Select those works that provide a  variety of perspectives  on your topic.
  • Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style.

example citation in EBSCO

  • Write  ( do not copy the abstract from the database) a concise annotation that  summarizes the central theme and scope  of the book or article. Include  one or more sentences  that:

o    evaluate the authority or background of the author,

o    comment on the intended audience,

o    compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or

o    explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.

The annotation should include most, if not all, of the following:

  • Explanation of the  main purpose and scope  of the cited work;
  • Brief description of the work's  format and content ;
  • Theoretical basis and  currency of the author's argument ;
  • Author's  intellectual/academic credentials ;
  • Work's  intended audience ;
  • Value and significance  of the work as a contribution to the subject under consideration;
  • Possible  shortcomings or bias  in the work;
  • Any  significant special features  of the work (e.g., glossary, appendices, particularly good index);
  • Your own brief impression of the work .

An annotated bibliography is an  original work created by you . Don't copy the annotation from the book introduction or jacket. Write it yourself. Copying is plagiarism and intellectual dishonesty.

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Annotated Bibliographies

What is an annotated bibliography.

An annotated bibliography is a bibliography (works cited) with an additional description (i.e., annotation) of each source that includes a summary, assessment, and reflection of the source. The purpose of the annotation is to help the reader evaluate whether the work cited is relevant to a specific research topic or line of inquiry.

In the resources below, you'll find information about annotated bibliographies including what they are, why they're used, characteristics and anatomy, citation styles, and examples.

  • Annotated Bibliographies (Purdue Owl) What is an annotated bibliography and why should you write one? Includes information on formatting.
  • Annotated Bibliography Breakdown (Purdue Owl) The anatomy of an annotated bibliography entry.
  • Annotated Bibliography Example (Purdue Owl) Sample MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style annotations.
  • Annotated Bibliographies (Handout) This handout will explain why annotated bibliographies are useful for researchers, provide an explanation of what constitutes an annotation, describe various types of annotations and styles for writing them, and offer multiple examples of annotated bibliographies in the MLA, APA, and CBE/CSE styles of citation.

Elements of an Annotation

What elements might an annotation include.

  • Bibliography according to the appropriate citation style (MLA, APA, CBE/CSE, etc.).
  • Explanation of main points and/or purpose of the work—basically, its thesis—which shows among other things that you have read and thoroughly understand the source.
  • Verification or critique of the authority or qualifications of the author.
  • Comments on the worth, effectiveness, and usefulness of the work in terms of both the topic being researched and/or your own research project.
  • The point of view or perspective from which the work was written. For instance, you may note whether the author seemed to have particular biases or was trying to reach a particular audience.
  • Relevant links to other work done in the area, like related sources, possibly including a comparison with some of those already on your list. You may want to establish connections to other aspects of the same argument or opposing views.

The first four elements above are usually a necessary part of the annotated bibliography. Points 5 and 6 may involve a little more analysis of the source, but you may include them in other kinds of annotations besides evaluative ones. 

Credit: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License .

Sample MLA Annotation

Sample mla annotation from purdue owl :.

Lamott, Anne.  Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life . Anchor Books, 1995.

Lamott's book offers honest advice on the nature of a writing life, complete with its insecurities and failures. Taking a humorous approach to the realities of being a writer, the chapters in Lamott's book are wry and anecdotal and offer advice on everything from plot development to jealousy, from perfectionism to struggling with one's own internal critic.

In the process, Lamott includes writing exercises designed to be both productive and fun. Lamott offers sane advice for those struggling with the anxieties of writing, but her main project seems to be offering the reader a reality check regarding writing, publishing, and struggling with one's own imperfect humanity in the process. Rather than a practical handbook to producing and/or publishing, this text is indispensable because of its honest perspective, its down-to-earth humor, and its encouraging approach.

Chapters in this text could easily be included in the curriculum for a writing class. Several of the chapters in Part 1 address the writing process and would serve to generate discussion on students' own drafting and revising processes. Some of the writing exercises would also be appropriate for generating classroom writing exercises. Students should find Lamott's style both engaging and enjoyable.

In the sample annotation above, the writer includes three paragraphs: a summary, an evaluation of the text, and a reflection on its applicability to his/her own research, respectively.

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APA Citation Guide (7th Edition): Annotated Bibliography

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Useful Links for Annotated Bibliographies

  • Annotated Bibliographies Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL.
  • Writing an Annotated Bibliography Overview and examples from the University of Guelph.
  • Writing an Annotated Bibliography Definition, tips and examples from the University of Toronto.

How-To Guide

  • APA Annotated Bibliography Template
  • How to create an annotated bibliography

Below is a sample of an Evaluative Annotation:

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VII. Researched Writing

7.6 Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Emilie Zickel; Melanie Gagich; and Terri Pantuso

As you are gathering sources in your research, you will want to keep track of which information comes from what source. While other strategies have been discussed such as note taking, some researchers use an annotated bibliography for long term reference purposes. As the name implies, an annotated bibliography is the bibliographical reference of a given source along with key information from that source that you may use for future reference. As assignment parameters will vary by instructor, generally speaking the annotations are 150-200 words in length per source and do not include quoted material. The purpose of the annotations is to summarize the material within the context of your thesis statement.

Annotated Bibliographies follow a common structure and format. Below is an explanation of the elements and format of an annotated bibliography.

Components of an Annotated Bibliography

An annotation often offers a summary of a source that you intend to use for a research project as well as some assessment of the source’s relevance to your project or quality and credibility. There are two key components for each source: the citation and the annotation.

The Annotated Bibliography Samples page [1]  on the Purdue OWL offers examples of general formatting guidelines for both an MLA and an APA Annotated Bibliography.

You will provide the full bibliographic reference for the source: author, title, source title, and other required information depending on the type of source. This will be formatted just as it would be in a typical Works Cited for an MLA paper or a References page for an APA paper.

Tone and Style

Some elements can vary depending on the style you are using (e.g., APA or MLA). Be sure to review your style guide along with your assignment sheet. Generally speaking, use the following as a guide:

  • Use signal phrases to refer to the author(s).
  • Always maintain a neutral tone and use the third-person point of view and correct tense according to style guide (present tense for MLA, past tense for APA) (i.e., Tompkins asserts… ).
  • Keep the focus of the summary on the text, not on what you think of it, and try to put as most of the summary as you can in your own words. If you must use exact phrases from the source that you are summarizing, you must quote and cite them.
  • Annotations should not be a replication of the abstract provided by the source.

What to Include in Annotations

  • After the bibliographical information, begin to discuss the source. Begin with a general summary of the source. Describe the key sections of the text and their corresponding main points. Try to avoid focusing on details; a summary covers the essential points and typically does not include quoted material.
  • Evaluate the source’s credibility or relevance. Is the author an expert on the topic? How do you know? Is the source peer-reviewed or otherwise credible in nature? How do you know? What makes this source a good one to use?
  • Discuss how you plan to integrate the source in your paper. Do you need to point out similarities or differences with other sources in the annotated bibliography? How does it support (or refute) your intended thesis?

Review your Annotated Bibliography assignment sheet for additional content requirements . Instructors often require more than a simple summary of each source, and specific requirements may vary. Any (or all) of these aspects may be required in an annotated bibliography, depending on how or if your instructor has designed this assignment as part of a larger research project.

This section contains material from:

Gagich, Melanie, and Emilie Zickel. “Keeping Track of Your Sources and Writing an Annotated Bibliography.” In A Guide to Rhetoric, Genre, and Success in First-Year Writing . Cleveland: MSL Academic Endeavors. Accessed July 2019. https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/csu-fyw-rhetoric/chapter/annotated-bibliography/ . Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

OER credited in the text above includes:

Jeffrey, Robin. About Writing: A Guide . Portland, OR: Open Oregon Educational Resources. Accessed December 18, 2020. https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/aboutwriting/ . Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .

  • "Annotated Bibliography Samples," Purdue Online Writing Lab, accessed December 20, 2021, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/annotated_bibliographies/annotated_bibliography_samples.html . ↵

A statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes an argument that will later be explained, expanded upon, and developed in a longer essay or research paper. In undergraduate writing, a thesis statement is often found in the introductory paragraph of an essay. The plural of thesis is theses .

7.6 Writing an Annotated Bibliography Copyright © 2022 by Emilie Zickel; Melanie Gagich; and Terri Pantuso is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Introduction

What is an annotated bibliography.

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually about 150 - 300 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation. The purpose of the annotation is to inform the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the sources cited.

Annotations vs. Abstracts

Abstracts are the purely descriptive summaries often found at the beginning of scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes. Annotations are descriptive and critical; they may describe the author's point of view, authority, or clarity and appropriateness of expression. They may also comment on the relevance of a source to your particular research. 

Types of annotations

The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) breaks annotations into several categories:

  • Summarize : Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is.
  • Assess : After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?
  • Reflect : Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?

Why write an annotated bibliography?

Writing an annotated bibliography is an excellent way to prepare for a research project. Writing a critical evaluation of each source requires you to read more carefully and thoroughly, and to collect resources more intentionally. Professional annotated bibliographies, which are often published, provide a comprehensive overview of important themes, issues, and arguments on a given topic. These can be useful for understanding the state of a particular field of study, and seeing where your research fits within it.

How to write an annotated bibliography

For each citation in your bibliography, write a short paragraph beneath it, and consider the following questions. The length of your annotation will depend on its purpose. A simple summary may be shorter than an annotation that contains analysis or evaluation:

  • Content -  What is the resource about? Is it relevant to your research?
  • Purpose -  What is it for? Why was this written?
  • Methods used to collect data -  Where did the information come from?
  • Usefulness -  What does it do for your research?
  • Reliability-  Is the information accurate?
  • Authority -  Is it written by an expert or knowledge keeper?
  • Currency -  Is it up-to-date for the topic?
  • Scope/Limitations -  What does it cover? What does the author state s/he will cover? What doesn't the resource provide that could be helpful?
  • Ease of use  - Can a non-specialist use this resource? What reading level is it?

Annotated bibliography examples in APA style:

Formatting an annotated bibliography is the same as formatting an APA reference list. You use the same author-date style and place the elements in the same order. Indent the annotation five spaces. You can find examples at the links below:

  • Purdue OWL examples
  • The Writing Center - UNC at Chapel Hill

This 14:48 minute video walks through the steps of writing and formatting your annotated bibliography, including a discussion of the three types of annotation. You can use the timestamps below to navigate to the various sections.

00:00 Introduction

00:33 What is an annotated bibliography?

1:15 Formatting annotated bibliography

5:35 Researching pro tips

7:28 Three types of annotations

Attribution

Content on this page adapted with permission from  Olin Library Reference, Research & Learning Services Cornell University Library  and  Cornish College of the Arts Library ; and Burkhardt J. M., MacDonald M. C. & Rathemacher A.J. (2010).  Teaching information literacy : 50 standards-based exercises for college students  (2nd ed.). American Library Association.

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Writing an Annotated Bibliography

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screenshot of annotated bibliography

A good annotated bibliography:

  • encourages you to think critically about the content of the works you are using, their place within a field of study, and their relation to your own research and ideas.
  • proves you have read and understand your sources.
  • establishes your work as a valid source and you as a competent researcher.
  • provides a way for others to decide whether a source will be helpful to their research if they read it.

Image adapted from Purdue OWL Annotated Bibliography Samples. 

  • Research Essentials - How to do an Annotated Bibliography

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to: 

  • Define an annotated bibliography
  • Identify the parts of an annotated bibliography
  • Create an annotated bibliography

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

An  annotated bibliography  is a list of sources (bibliography) that includes comments about each source. These comments are called  annotations . 

annotated bibliography

  • Find sources related to your topic. Check with your instructor to confirm which types of sources are acceptable for the assignment.
  • Critically read and evaluate sources
  • Create a citation. Be sure to use the style guide your instructor assigns. Common styles include APA, MLA. APSA, ASA, and CSE.
  • Below the citation write your annotation

An annotation (found below each citation) typically includes*:

  • An evaluation of the work - the value of the evidence, the logic of arguments, etc.
  • A description of the arguments or findings in the source
  • The qualifications/credibility of the author(s) or publishing source
  • How the source will support your argument or thesis

*Check with your instructors to confirm what information they require in an annotation. 

  • Annotated Bibliographies (Purdue OWL) Overview of Annotated Bibliographies
  • Annotated Bibliographies (The Writing Center at UNC Chapel Hill) Explains usefulness to researchers and describes different types of annotated bibliographies.
  • Annotated Bibliography Breakdown (Purdue OWL) The elements of an Annotated Bibliography.
  • Annotated Bibliography Samples (Purdue OWL) Samples of MLA, APA, and Chicago style annotated bibliography.
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What is an Annotated Bibliography

  • Annotated Bibliographies Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides a definition, explanation, and formatting for annotated bibliographies. It focuses primarily on MLA and APA styles.
  • Annotated Bibliographies The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill created this handout that describes the importance of annotated bibliographies for researchers, explains when different types of annotations may be used, and provides examples in APA, MLA, and CBE/CSE styles.
  • How to write an annotated bibliography King, J. (2010). How to write an annotated bibliography. Access, 24(4), 34-37. This article is written for high school students, but provides an excellent overview of the annotated bibliography and includes a worksheet to aid in creating an annotation. Additionally, the author includes rules for the length of the annotation and its components; these are good guidelines but you do not need to follow them exactly. The author uses Harvard style for formatting citations.
  • Writing an Annotated Bibliography Librarians at Skidmore College's Lucy Scribner Library developed this tutorial that both explains an annotated bibliography answering the bold faced questions for an article you've found is a good start for creating an annotation.

Sample Annotated Bibliographies

Refer to these annotated bibliographies as you create your own. Note the similarities: what are common features across all annotated bibliographies? Note the differences: what is unique to a discipline, an author, or the reason why the bibliography was written?

Citation style: APA, except embedded links to the articles which are for your convenience, but do not adhere to APA style. Citations should also have hanging indents. See Purdue's OWL for proper APA formatting .

Architecture

Urbanova, T. (2009). How to support avian diversity in an urban landscape: A bibliography.  Journal of Planning Literature 24 (2), 123-136.  doi:10.1177/0885412209347155   

Brownlie, D. (2007). Towards effective poster presentations: An annotated bibliography.  European Journal of Marketing, 41 (11), 1245-1283.  doi:10.1108/03090560710821161   

Kendall, G., Knust, S., Ribeiro, C., & Urrutìa, S. (2010). Scheduling in sports: An annotated bibliography.  Computers & Operations Research, 37 (1), 1. doi:10.1016/j.cor.2009.05.013  

Conte, S. (2015). Learning community literature: Annotated bibliography.  New Directions for Student Services, 2015 (149), 91-100.  doi:10.1002/ss.20120   

Newnham-Kanas, C., Gorczynski, P., Morrow, D., & Irwin, J. D. (2009). Annotated bibliography of life coaching and health research. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 7 (1), 39-103. doi:10.1.1.556.2042  [In class example].

Engineering

Austbø, B., Løvseth, S. W., & Gundersen, T. (2014). Annotated bibliography—Use of optimization in LNG process design and operation.  Computers and Chemical Engineering, 71 , 391-414.  doi:10.1016/j.compchemeng.2014.09.010   

Furman, K., & Sahinidis, N. (2002).  A critical review and annotated bibliography for heat exchanger network synthesis in the 20th century   doi:10.1021/ie010389e   

Mohamed, O. (2006). Progressive collapse of structures: Annotated bibliography and comparison of codes and standards.  Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities 20 (4), 418-425.  doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3828(2006)20:4(418)  

Emerson, J. (2010). Mary Lincoln: An annotated bibliography.  Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1998-), 103 (2), 180-235. Retrieved from  http://www.jstor.org/stable/25701283  [in-class example]

Masschelein, A., Meurée, C., Martens, D., Vanasten, S., & Willem, G. (2014). The literary interview: An annotated bibliography.  Poetics Today, 35 (1-2), 51-116. doi:10.1215/03335372-2646854  

Siddiqui, F. (2014). Annotated bibliography on participatory consultations to help aid the inclusion of marginalized perspectives in setting policy agendas. International Journal for Equity in Health, 13 (1), 124. doi:10.1186/s12939-014-0124-0  

Westfall, Matthew Y., Overholser, Linda, Zittleman, Linda, & Westfall, John M. (2015). Cancer survivorship for primary care: Annotated bibliography. Journal of Cancer Policy, 4 , 7-12. doi:10.1016/j.jcpo.2015.03.001    [in-class example]

Social Sciences

Nelson, S. L. (2011). The connection between animal abuse and family violence: A selected annotated bibliography. (Bibliography).  Animal Law, 17 (2), 369-414. Retrieved from  http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2158944

Scott, K. A., & Boocock, S. S. (2007). Sociology. In V. Bowman (Ed.),  Scholarly resources for children and childhood studies  (pp. 210-238). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. 

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What is an Annotated Bibliography & Why Write One

Mla annotated bibliography example, apa annotated bibliography example, chicago style annotated bibliography example.

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What is an Annotated Bibliography

A bibliograph y is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) you used for researching your topic. Bibliographies are called "Works Cited" (in MLA Style) and "References" (in APA Style)  Your bibliography will include the bibliographic information (i.e., the author, title, publisher, etc.) that your reader would need to identify and locate the original source you're citing.

An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation of a source.

Therefore, an annotated bibliography includes your citation followed by a summary and/or evaluation of each of your sources. Depending on your project or the assignment, your annotations may do one or more of the following.

  • Summarize: Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?
  • Assess: After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?
  • Reflect: Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?

Your annotated bibliography may include some of these, all of these, or even others.

Be sure to always follow the specific instructions your instructor gives you.

Why Write an Annotated Bibliography

Every good research paper is an argument. The purpose of research is to state and support a thesis. So, a very important part of research is developing a thesis that is debatable, interesting, and current. Writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good perspective on what is being said about your topic. By reading and responding to a variety of sources on a topic, you'll start to see what the issues are, what people are arguing about, and you'll then be able to develop your own point of view.

Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project. Just collecting sources for a bibliography is useful, but when you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read each source more carefully. You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information.

MLA tells us that, you should cite a source in an annotated bibliography just as you would in a list of works cited and then append an annotation to the end of the entry. Annotations describe and/or evaluate sources. Further, annotations should not rehash minor details, cite evidence, quote the author, or recount steps in an argument. Writing an effective annotation requires reading the work, understanding its aims, and clearly summarizing them.

To learn more about annotated bibliographies click on the link below from Purdue OWL

Sample annotated bibliography using mla.

  • MLA 9 Annotated Bibliography Sample

Annotated Bibliography Template

You may also want to use the template below. Just type over the words in the template with your own information, citations, and annotations.

  • MLA, 9th ed. Annotated Bibliography Template

Formatting Rules

  • Order your references in alphabetical order as you would in your References.
  • Each annotation should be a new paragraph below its reference entry. Indent the entire annotation 0.5 in. from the left margin.
  • Do not indent the first line of the annotation.
  • If the annotation spans multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs an additional 0.5 in.

Because your teachers generally set all the other requirements for your annotated bibliography, ask your teacher for specific instructions. For example, ask if your annotated bibliography should include a title page.  

Sample Annotated Bibliography Using APA Style

  • Sample APA Annotated Bibliography
  • Order your references in alphabetical order as you would in your Bibliography.

Because your teachers generally set all the other requirements for your annotated bibliography, ask your teacher for specific instructions. For example, ask if your annotated bibliography should include a title page.

Sample Annotated Bibliography Using Chicago Style

Example of Annotated Bibliography Using Chicago Style

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What is an Annotated Bibliography?  

A  bibliography  is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic. Bibliographies are sometimes called "References" or "Works Cited" depending on the style format you are using. A bibliography usually just includes the bibliographic information (i.e., the author, title, publisher, etc.).

An  annotation  is a summary and/or evaluation. Therefore, an  annotated bibliography includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources. Depending on your project or the assignment, your annotations may do one or more of the following.

  • Summarize : Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is.
  • Assess : After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?
  • Reflect : Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?

Your annotated bibliography may include some of these, all of these, or even others. If you're doing this for a class, you should get specific guidelines from your instructor.

Why should I write an annotated bibliography?

To learn about your topic : Writing an annotated bibliography is excellent preparation for a research project. Just collecting sources for a bibliography is useful, but when you have to write annotations for each source, you're forced to read each source more carefully. You begin to read more critically instead of just collecting information. At the professional level, annotated bibliographies allow you to see what has been done in the literature and where your own research or scholarship can fit. To help you formulate a thesis: Every good research paper is an argument. The purpose of research is to state and support a thesis. So a very important part of research is developing a thesis that is debatable, interesting, and current. Writing an annotated bibliography can help you gain a good perspective on what is being said about your topic. By reading and responding to a variety of sources on a topic, you'll start to see what the issues are, what people are arguing about, and you'll then be able to develop your own point of view.

To help other researchers : Extensive and scholarly annotated bibliographies are sometimes published. They provide a comprehensive overview of everything important that has been and is being said about that topic. You may not ever get your annotated bibliography published, but as a researcher, you might want to look for one that has been published about your topic.

How do I format an annotated bibliography?

The format of an annotated bibliography can vary, so if you're doing one for a class, it's important to ask for specific guidelines.

The bibliographic information : Generally, though, the bibliographic information of the source (the title, author, publisher, date, etc.) is written in either MLA or APA format.

The annotations:  The annotations for each source are written in paragraph form. The lengths of the annotations can vary significantly from a couple of sentences to a couple of pages. The length will depend on the purpose. If you're just writing summaries of your sources, the annotations may not be very long. However, if you are writing an extensive analysis of each source, you'll need more space.

You can focus your annotations for your own needs. A few sentences of general summary followed by several sentences of how you can fit the work into your larger paper or project can serve you well when you go to draft.

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MLA Citation Guide (MLA 8th Edition): Annotated Bibliography

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Annotated Bibliography Template

  • MLA Annotated Bibliography Template

Purdue OWL Links for Annotated Bibliographies

  • Annotated Bibliographies Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL.
  • Annotated Bibliography Samples Includes a sample of one MLA annotated bibliography.
  • Annotated Bibliography Example An example of an MLA annotated bibliography, containing two entries.

Annotations

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations for various books, articles, and other sources on a topic. The annotated bibliography looks like a Works Cited page but includes an annotation after each source cited. An annotation is a short summary and/or critical evaluation of a source. Annotated bibliographies can be part of a larger research project, or can be a stand-alone report in itself.

Types of Annotations

 A summary annotation describes the source by answering the following questions: who wrote the document, what does the document discuss, when and where was the document written, why was the document produced, and how was it provided to the public. The focus is on description. 

 An evaluative annotation includes a summary as listed above but also critically assesses the work for accuracy, relevance, and quality. Evaluative annotations can help you learn about your topic, develop a thesis statement, decide if a specific source will be useful for your assignment, and determine if there is enough valid information available to complete your project. The focus is on description and evaluation.

Writing an Evaluative Annotation

  • Cite the source using MLA style.
  • Describe the main ideas, arguments, themes, theses, or methodology, and identify the intended audience.
  • Explain the author’s expertise, point of view, and any bias he/she may have.
  • Compare to other sources on the same topic that you have also cited to show similarities and differences.
  • Explain why each source is useful for your research topic and how it relates to your topic.
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source.
  • Identify the observations or conclusions of the author. 

Basic Tips on Writing and Formatting

  • Each annotation should be one paragraph, between three to six sentences long (about 150- 200 words).
  • Start with the same format as a regular Works Cited list.
  • All lines should be double-spaced. Do not add an extra line between the citations.
  • If your list of citations is especially long, you can organize it by topic.
  • Try to be objective, and give explanations if you state any opinions.
  • Use the third person (e.g., he, she, the author) instead of the first person (e.g., I, my, me)

Sample Evaluative Annotation

London, Herbert. “Five Myths of the Television Age.” Television Quarterly , vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 1982, pp. 81-69. Herbert London, the Dean of Journalism at New York University and author of several books and articles, explains how television contradicts five commonly believed ideas. He uses specific examples of events seen on television, such as the assassination of John Kennedy, to illustrate his points. His examples have been selected to contradict such truisms as: “seeing is believing”; “a picture is worth a thousand words”; and “satisfaction is its own reward.” London uses logical arguments to support his ideas which are his personal opinion. He does not refer to any previous works on the topic. London’s style and vocabulary would make the article of interest to any reader. The article clearly illustrates London’s points, but does not explore their implications leaving the reader with many unanswered questions.

Adapted from:

"How to Write Annotated Bibliographies."  Memorial University Libraries , www.library.mun.ca/researchtools/guides/writing/annotated_bibl/. Accessed 29 June 2016.

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Annotated Bibliographies

  • Sample: MLA Style
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Formats for MLA Citations

There is a separate format for citing each of the types of content that contribute to your research. Do not be overwhelmed! Use one of the websites below, and just copy methodically from their examples until you become familiar with the process. Time consuming at first and frankly picky beyond belief, but it will get easier.

  • Purdue OWL MLA Works Cited Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is easy to navigate and very complete instructions.

What is it?

An annotated bibliography consists of two elements : the bibliography and the annotations. These two elements are blended together: each citation is followed by an annotation.

The bibliography is a list of works cited in MLA, APA or another citation style; the annotations describe responses to the content; can be long or short. Their purpose is to make clear to a reader what was in the article or book cited and in some cases, the researcher's response to it.

This response should reflect the researcher's larger purpose in composing the bibliography. A typical annotation consists of:

  • a summary of the content  
  • relevance of the cited work to the research topic 
  • whether the authors of the cited work achieved their goal 
  • whether the material was either inadequate or original and groundbreaking, and why.

All these elements are not required however . It is up to you to decide what to include.

The form of the annotation is a piece of prose writing . It may help to think of it as a narrative of your response to the article or book you read.

Make sure you find out from your instructors what citation style they require. Set up your works cited list accordingly, and insert the annotations following each entry.

Examples in MLA Style

The citations and formatting of the bibliography should follow the current MLA Style guide , which is the 9th edition. Your instructor may prefer an earlier edition, so find out before you start.

Annotated Bibliography  

Book by one author: (note, the author's last name is the only text that is flush left.)

Vickery, Amanda.  The Gentleman’s Daughter: Women’s Lives in Georgian England. Yale University Press,   1998 .

The Gentleman's Daughter provides an account of the lives of genteel women - the daughters of merchants, the wives of lawyers and the sisters of gentlemen. Based on a study of the letters, diaries and account books of over 100 women from commercial, professional and gentry families, mainly in provincial England, this book provides an account of the lives of genteel women in Georgian times. It challenges the currently influential view that the period witnessed a new division of the everyday worlds of privileged men and women into the separate spheres of home and work.

Works Cited List, (bibliography)

Book by one author:

Vickery, Amanda. The Gentleman’s Daughter: Women’s Lives in Georgian England . Yale University Press, 1998.

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CNW:3633 Personal Writing - Bonner, Spring 2024: Annotated Bibliography

Annotated bibliography.

What is an Annotated Bibliography? 

A bibliography, as you know, is a list of sources that you’ve used when researching your topic (vs works cited, which will include only the sources cited in the essay). An annotated bibliography includes a brief summary and evaluation of the usefulness of each source. Like the mind maps and outlines we used for the first essay, annotated bibliographies are a valuable way to organize your ideas for a research paper; they give you an overview of what has already been said and areas you could contribute.

Annotations are written in paragraph form. Each annotation should include the following information:

1. Medium (book, movie, article, etc.)

2. Purpose of the source (what did the creator of the source want you to take away?)

3. Summary of the key features or arguments in the source

4. Information on the author/creator and related credentials. Is it in a peer-reviewed journal? Is it a fan on YouTube? (Both of these are valuable, but would be used differently in your essay)

5. Failures or shortcomings of the source. Did it overlook something major?

6. The value of this source to your essay. How does it help you?

For the first assignment, you will create an annotated bibliography with 3 sources ; each annotation will be about one paragraph (150 words), so your final annotated bib will be about 450 words. These annotations will be in MLA format. You must include two web sources and one book. 

If you are looking for information on annotated bibliographies, these resources provide an overview and examples:

  • Purdue OWL - Annotated Bibliographies
  • Cornell University Libraries - How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography
  • University of Nevada - Reno - Writing an Annotated Bibliography
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The Annotated Bibliography

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How to Make an Annotated Bibliography

An annotated bibliography is a bibliography [a list of the sources- like articles & books- referred to in a scholarly work] that gives a summary of each of the entries. The purpose of annotations is to provide the reader with a summary and an evaluation of the source. Each summary should be a concise exposition of the source's central idea(s) and give the reader a general idea of the source's content.

Source: The Free Dictionary

Contents include:

  • Summary : Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is.  Who is the intended audience?
  • Assessment : After summarizing a source, it may be helpful to evaluate it. Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?
  • Evaluation : Once you've summarized and assessed a source, you need to ask how it fits into your research. Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?
  • Information on the author(s) : What is the author's authority? What are their qualifications?

Source: The OWL, Annotated Bibliographies.

More Annotated Bibliography Examples:

(These are links to electronic articles/annotated bibliographies found through the UTEP Library online catalog)

Conte, S. (2015). Learning Community Literature: Annotated Bibliography. New Directions For Student Services , (149), 91-100.  Retrieved from: http://0-search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=101557586&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Cox, M. B., & Faris, M. J. (2015). An Annotated Bibliography of LGBTQ Rhetorics. Present Tense: A Journal Of Rhetoric In Society , 4 (2). Retrieved from: http://www.presenttensejournal.org/volume-4/an-annotated-bibliography-of-lgbtq-rhetorics/ 

Johnson, D. E., Schroder, S. I., Erickson, J. P., & Grimes, K. N. (2008). Annotated Bibliography on the Teaching of Psychology: 2007. Teaching Of Psychology , 35 (4), 376-384. doi:10.1080/00986280802390811 Retrieved from: http://0-search.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35052650&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Masschelein, A., Meurée, C., Martens, D., Vanasten, S., & Willem, G. (2014). The Literary Interview: An Annotated Bibliography. Poetics Today , 35 (1/2), 51-116. doi:10.1215/03335372-2646854 Retrieved from : http://0-poeticstoday.dukejournals.org.lib.utep.edu/content/35/1-2/51.full.pdf+html?sid=fe54194d-1a61-456d-8a75-1e22d6184258

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Online access to the quick style guide for asa style is available from the link below:, https://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/documents/teaching/pdfs/quick_tips_for_asa_style.pdf.

The American Sociological Association (ASA) is dedicated to serving sociologists in their work, advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession, and promoting the contributions and use of sociology to society.

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  • Citing Your Sources
  • Annotated Bibliographies (Purdue OWL)
  • Annotated Bibliography (University of South Carolina Upstate)
  • Writing an Annotated Bibliography (University of Toronto)

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United States History

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  • Primary Sources
  • Mix of Primary and Secondary Sources

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Grades 9-12 Provides access to more than 12 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.

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ENGL 1191.102: Star Crossed: Sex, Death, and Shakespeare (Spring 2024): Home

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[Virtual] Class Handouts

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How to Critically Analyze Information Sources

Distinguishing Scholarly from Non-Scholarly Periodicals

How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography

MLA Citation Style (Purdue OWL)

MLA Handbook Plus (9th edition)

Chicago Manual of Style Online

Research Strategy

This guide contains links and references to a variety of resources, both online and in print, available through the Cornell University Library. For even more resources, see the list of Library Subject Guides .

This class will cover:

Reference Sources for Background Material Find topic overviews, key concepts, terminology and reference lists

Finding Books Find items held at Cornell (books, journal holdings, etc.)

Finding Articles Find articles, essays, book chapters and monographs

Requesting items not available at Cornell BorrowDirect and Interlibrary Loan

Evaluating your sources Some tips on how to evaluate the sources you've found

Citing your sources Guides and Resources for preparing your bibliography

Geting Help Ask a Librarian!

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The tutorials linked below will give you the basic knowledge you'll need to effectively navigate the Cornell Library web site and the skills that will enable you to find the information you need for your assignments:

How to Use Search Terms

Using Wikipedia to Start Your Research -- But Not End There!

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  1. Welcome to the Purdue OWL Annotated Bibliographies

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  2. (DOC) Annotated Bibliography Purdue OWL

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  3. purdue owl annotated bibliography example apa 7th edition

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  4. 💄 Purdue owl annotated bib. Purdue_OWL_Annotated_Bibliograpy_Format

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  2. Annotated Bibliographies

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  4. Module 4, Sources and Research

  5. Annotated Bibliography Video Presentation

  6. ENGL 106 Annotated Bibliographies and Synthesis

COMMENTS

  1. Annotated Bibliographies

    General Writing Common Writing Assignments Annotated Bibliographies Annotated Bibliographies Annotated Bibliographies Definitions A bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic.

  2. Creating an Annotated Bibliography

    Creating an Annotated Bibliography Search EDCI 63800 - Spring 2022 Doctoral Seminar This guide provides resources for completing assignments for EDCI 63800 Home E-Books on Educational Research Literature Search Tools Literature Search Strategies Creating an Annotated Bibliography APA Style Guide Citation Managers Writing Abstracts

  3. Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition

    The Chicago Notes and Bibliography (NB) system is often used in the humanities to provide writers with a system for referencing their sources through the use of footnotes, endnotes, and through the use of a bibliography. This offers writers a flexible option for citation and provides an outlet for commenting on those sources, if needed.

  4. Common Writing Assignments

    Annotated Bibliographies These OWL resources will help you understand and complete specific types of writing assignments, such as annotated bibliographies, book reports, and research papers. This section also includes resources on writing academic proposals for conference presentations, journal articles, and books.

  5. What is an Annotated Bibliography?

    In this video, Helen discusses the annotated bibliography as a tool that helps us navigate the sea of complicated sources we use for research projects.Writte...

  6. Writing a Literature Review

    Body: Summarize and synthesize: Give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole Analyze and interpret: Don't just paraphrase other researchers - add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole

  7. Two Minute Tips for Education Students

    An annotated bibliography is... a list of citations to books, articles, and documents in an appropriate style format i.e.,APA, Chicago Manual of Style, etc. with brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative paragraphs -- the annotations (or abstracts).

  8. Writing Annotated Bibliographies

    OWL @ Purdue. OWL @ Purdue. Purdue Online Writing Lab produced this excellent guide to compiling an annotated bibliography. Purdue OWL: What is an Annotated Bibliography? Purdue OWL Video Link. Next: Annotated Bibliography Resources >> Last Updated: Jan 29, 2024 5:06 PM;

  9. Citation Help and Annotated Bibliographies

    Annotated Bibliography Example (Purdue Owl) Sample MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style annotations. Annotated Bibliographies (Handout) This handout will explain why annotated bibliographies are useful for researchers, provide an explanation of what constitutes an annotation, describe various types of annotations and styles for writing them ...

  10. APA Citation Guide (7th Edition): Annotated Bibliography

    Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL. Writing an Annotated Bibliography Overview and examples from the University of Guelph. Writing an Annotated Bibliography Definition, tips and examples from the University of Toronto. How-To Guide APA Annotated Bibliography Template How to create an annotated bibliography

  11. 7.6 Writing an Annotated Bibliography

    The Annotated Bibliography Samples page [1] on the Purdue OWL offers examples of general formatting guidelines for both an MLA and an APA Annotated Bibliography. Citation You will provide the full bibliographic reference for the source: author, title, source title, and other required information depending on the type of source.

  12. Writing an Annotated Bibliography

    The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) breaks annotations into several categories: Summarize: Some annotations merely summarize the source. What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say?

  13. DOCX Purdue OWL Guide to Annotated bibliographies

    Welcome to the Purdue OWL. This handout provides information about annotated bibliographies in MLA format. Annotated Bibliographies. Definitions. A bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, websites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic.Bibliographies are sometimes called "references" or "works cited" depending on the style format you are using.

  14. Guides: Writing an Annotated Bibliography: Home

    A good annotated bibliography: encourages you to think critically about the content of the works you are using, their place within a field of study, and their relation to your own research and ideas. proves you have read and understand your sources. establishes your work as a valid source and you as a competent researcher.

  15. Annotated Bibliographies

    Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides a definition, explanation, and formatting for annotated bibliographies. It focuses primarily on MLA and APA styles. ... A critical review and annotated bibliography for heat exchanger network synthesis in the 20th century doi:10.1021/ie010389e . Mohamed, O. (2006). Progressive collapse of structures ...

  16. Annotated Bibliographies

    To learn more about annotated bibliographies click on the link below from Purdue OWL. Annotated Bibliographies. Sample Annotated Bibliography Using MLA. MLA 9 Annotated Bibliography Sample. Annotated Bibliography Template. You may also want to use the template below. Just type over the words in the template with your own information, citations ...

  17. PDF The Purdue Owl Annotated Bibliographies

    Welcome to the Purdue OWL This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/). When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice at bottom. Contributors:Geoff Stacks, Erin Karper, Dana Bisignani, Allen Brizee. Summary: This handout provides information about annotated bibliographies in . . . CMS1.

  18. McQuade LibGuides: Psychology: Annotated Bibliography

    Creating an Annotated Bibliography (Purdue OWL) What is an Annotated Bibliography? A bibliography is a list of sources (books, journals, Web sites, periodicals, etc.) one has used for researching a topic. Bibliographies are sometimes called "References" or "Works Cited" depending on the style format you are using. A bibliography usually just ...

  19. Annotated Bibliography

    Overview of purpose and form of annotated bibliographies from the Purdue OWL. Annotated Bibliography Samples Includes a sample of one MLA annotated bibliography. Annotated Bibliography Example An example of an MLA annotated bibliography, containing two entries. Annotations

  20. LibGuides: Annotated Bibliographies: Sample: MLA Style

    An annotated bibliography consists of two elements: the bibliography and the annotations.These two elements are blended together: each citation is followed by an annotation. The bibliography is a list of works cited in MLA, APA or another citation style; the annotations describe responses to the content; can be long or short.

  21. Purdue OWL: Annotated Bibliographies

    If you are writing an annotated bibliography with many sources, it may be helpful to divide the sources into categories. For example, if putting together an extensive annotated bibliography for stem cell research, it might be best to divide the sources into categories such as ethical concerns, scholarly analyses, and political ramifications.

  22. Annotated Bibliography

    What is an Annotated Bibliography? A bibliography, as you know, is a list of sources that you've used when researching your topic (vs works cited, which will include only the sources cited in the essay). ... Purdue OWL - Annotated Bibliographies; Cornell University Libraries - How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography; University of Nevada ...

  23. Annotated Bibliography

    Purdue Owl Examples. The Annotated Bibliography. How to Make an Annotated Bibliography. An annotated bibliography is a bibliography [a list of the sources- like articles & books- referred to in a scholarly work] that gives a summary of each of the entries. The purpose of annotations is to provide the reader with a summary and an evaluation of ...

  24. Research Guides: Annotated Bibliographies: More Help with ASA

    What is ASA Style? Additional Resources. American Sociological Association Style Guide by American Sociological Association. Call Number: R 808.02 A 512-2. ISBN: 9780912764580. Publication Date: 2022-06-01.

  25. Writing Annotated Bibliographies

    Annotated Bibliographies (Purdue OWL) Annotated Bibliography (University of South Carolina Upstate) Writing an Annotated Bibliography (University of Toronto) Reference & Instruction Librarian. Dorice Moylan She/Her/Hers Email Me. Contact: Pardee Library [email protected] Room 318F ...

  26. Immigration Annotated Bibliography

    Immigration to the United States, 1789-1930. Documenting voluntary immigration to the United States from the signing of the Constitution to the start of the Great Depression. Digital Public Library of America. Discover 44,584,519 images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States. Access World News - Historical and Current (Newsbank)

  27. ENGL 1191.102: Star Crossed: Sex, Death, and Shakespeare (Spring 2024

    How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography. MLA Citation Style (Purdue OWL) MLA Handbook Plus (9th edition) Chicago Manual of Style Online. Research Strategy. This guide contains links and references to a variety of resources, both online and in print, available through the Cornell University Library.