Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography will help you read more critically, rather than just collect information.
WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?
An annotated bibliography is a list of cited sources (books, journals, websites) which have a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph that is connected to each source. 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 expose the author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.
THE PROCESS
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.
Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.
Adapted with permission from:
Olin Library Reference
Research & Learning Services
Cornell University Library
Ithaca, NY, USA
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm
Back to Step One, Getting Started
WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?
An annotated bibliography is a list of cited sources (books, journals, websites) which have a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph that is connected to each source. 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 expose the author's point of view, clarity and appropriateness of expression, and authority.
THE PROCESS
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.
Write a concise annotation that summarizes the central theme and scope of the book or article. Include one or more sentences that (a) evaluate the authority or background of the author, (b) comment on the intended audience, (c) compare or contrast this work with another you have cited, or (d) explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.
Adapted with permission from:
Olin Library Reference
Research & Learning Services
Cornell University Library
Ithaca, NY, USA
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm
Back to Step One, Getting Started