How do you write an annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation is followed by a brief (usually around 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.

To write an annotated bibliography, follow these steps:

1. Choose your sources - Before writing your annotated bibliography, you must choose your sources. These can include books, articles, and documents from academic journals, credible websites, and other sources.
2. Cite your sources - Create citations for each source in your preferred citation style. Common citation styles include APA, MLA, and Chicago.
3. Write the annotation - For each source, write a brief summary of the content and focus of the source, followed by an assessment of its relevance, accuracy, and quality. Consider the source's authority, currency, and objectivity in your evaluation.
4. Organize your annotated bibliography - Organize your annotated bibliography alphabetically by author's last name or by the title of the work if there is no author.
5. Format your annotated bibliography - Format your annotated bibliography according to the citation style you are using. Be sure to follow the guidelines for spacing, margins, and font size.

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources that you have used in your research, along with a brief description of each source. The annotations should provide a summary of the source, as well as your evaluation of its usefulness for your research.

To write an annotated bibliography, you will need to:

1. Choose your sources. Start by brainstorming a list of topics that you are interested in researching. Then, use library databases and other resources to find sources that are relevant to your topics.
2. Read and evaluate your sources. Once you have found some sources, take some time to read them and evaluate them for their usefulness for your research. Consider the following questions as you evaluate your sources:
   • Is the source relevant to my research topic?
   • Is the source accurate and reliable?
   • Is the source well-written and easy to understand?
   • Is the source up-to-date?
3. Write your annotations. For each source, write a brief annotation that summarizes the source and provides your evaluation of its usefulness. Your annotations should be clear, concise, and objective.
4. Format your bibliography. Once you have written your annotations, you will need to format your bibliography according to the style guide that is required for your assignment.

Here is an example of an annotated bibliography entry:

• Source: "The Annotated Bibliography." The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2023, writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/annotated-bibliography/.
• Annotation: This handout provides a helpful overview of the annotated bibliography format. It includes information on how to choose your sources, read and evaluate your sources, and write your annotations. The handout also provides examples of annotated bibliography entries.

Let me know if you have any other questions.