Learning Commons
What is an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography or annotated bib is a bibliography (a list of books or other works) that includes descriptive and evaluative comments about the sources cited in your paper. These comments are also known as annotations.
How do I format my annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography entry consists of two components: the Citation and the Annotation.
Citation
The citation should be formatted in the bibliographic style that your professor has requested for the assignment. Some common citation styles include APA, MLA, and Chicago.
Annotation
Generally, an annotation is approximately 100-300 words in length (one paragraph). However, your professor may have different expectations so it is recommended that you clarify the assignment guidelines.
An annotation may include the following information:
Use reporting verbs to write focused, accurate, and detailed annotated bibliographies. Find out how to choose and reporting verbs at these sites:
University of Toronto: Verbs for Referring to Sources
Printable PDF documents with details and samples for writing an annotated bibliography.