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Research for College Success

The Assignment: Explanation, Process, and Examples of Annotations

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 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

You might be thinking that the above description sounds just like an abstracts.  Well, not really.  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.

The Process

Creating an annotated bibliography calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research.

First, locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may contain useful information and ideas on your topic. Briefly examine and review the actual items. Then choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.

Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style. (i.e. APA, Chicago, MLA, etc.)

Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that:

  1. evaluate the authority or background of the author,
  2. comment on the intended audience
  3. compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or
  4. explain how this work illuminates your research topic.

Choosing the correct citation style

Check with your instructor to find out which style is preferred for your class. Online citation guides for both the American Psychological Association (APA), Chicago, and the Modern Language Association (MLA) styles and the are linked from the Library's Citation Guide Webpage

Below is an example of what your annotation bibliography should look like in MLA format:

 

 

Credit: This webpage was adapted from a webguide on "How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography" by Olin Library Reference, Research & Learning Services, Cornell University Library, Ithaca, NY, USA.

Guidelines to Create an Annotated Bibliography for LIB102

Your final project is to compile an annotated bibliography in which you will organize summaries of research that you will later draw from when composing a research paper. (For those of you who have not encountered an annotated bibliography assignment before, please read the description above).  The good news is there is NO 5-page or 10-page research paper to write; however, (and more good news), the annotations for this final project will be compiled and revised weekly, over 4 weeks.  There is no bad news! 

Your annotated bibliography for this final project should contain 7-10 sources, and the summary for each source should run 140-150 words.  Sources in your annotated bibliography should be listed in alphabetical order by author and cited in your style of choice (i.e., MLA, APA, etc).  

It goes without saying that your assignment should contain the standard introduction at the top-left of your page (your name, my name, course name, and date), and that your pages should be numbered. Lastly, don't forget to include the TITLE of the topic of your paper, and keywords utilized, with every draft you submit.

ALL of your sources must be retrieved from Academic Search Complete, Opposing Viewpoints, or OneSearch.   For the final draft, at least three (3) of your sources should be articles from journals, magazines, or newspapers.  At least three (3) of your sources should be from non-print sources, such as websites, videos, films, podcasts, YouTube, etc..  

Points will be given towards (and see rubric below):

(i) quality of sources selected;

(ii) your ability to coherently and comprehensively summarize your sources;

(iii) notation of bias/slant, if evident; and

(iv) proper citations of sources in the style chosen (i.e. MLA, APA, etc), arranged in alphabetical order by last name of author/creator. 

Please review each summary to ensure correct grammar and spelling.

Rubric for Grading the Annotated Bibliography

Objectives 0 points 5 points 7 points 10 points
Addressed required format Missing more than half of the required components: standard introduction in top left of document, research question title, summary about question, keywords, no citation style noted, and annotation is less than 75 words.  Several required components are missing -- the standard introduction in top left of document, research question title, summary about question, keywords, and citation style noted. Annotations are over 75 words but less than 99 words. Mostly meets required components. One or two of the following were omitted: the standard introduction in top left of document, research question title, summary about question, keywords, and citation style noted. Annotations are over 100 words but less than 139 words. Documents are well formatted with standard introduction in top left of document, research question title, and pagination. Annotations for each are 140 words or more.
Appropriate sources found to support topic Has not found appropriate sources related to research question. Sources are not introduced nor evaluated.  Has relied on one type of source,or incorrectly identifies the sources.   Several types of information are represented but one or two may not be correctly in support of research question.   Demonstrates engagement with a variety of information sources, i.e., several types of information are represented, and all support the research question.
Accuracy of Citations in MLA or APA format Multiple (seven or more) errors in all citations in the style chosen.  Six or less errors in each citation in the style chosen. Three or less errors in each citation in the style chosen. Every citation is correctly written in the style chosen.
Grammar and write up of Annotations Significant spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation errors in most annotations. Writing does not accurately characterize sources. Grammatical errors are consistent or disruptive in several annotations. Writing mischaracterizes sources through insufficient summary. Few grammatical errors and quality writing. Writing accurately characterizes sources through thorough summary. No spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Writing accurately characterize sources through summary and evaluation

Each submitted draft of the Annotated Bibliography will earn up to 40 points.  The final Annotated Bibliography will earn double points, up to 80 points.