How to Write Annotated Bibliographies

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Note:  This entire resource comes from Memorial University Libraries. How to Write Annotated Bibliographies. 24 Feb. 2005. 30 Sept. 2005 <http://www.library.mun.ca/guides/howto/annotated_bibl.php>.  However, I have recoded internal links to refer to local targets within this page, and I have rewritten the citation format to conform with Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2003.  I have also made some minor changes in style to conform with standards I use in my other classes.                                                                                                                                      –Martha J. Bianco, Ph.D.

Introduction  | How to Write an Annotated Bibliography  | How to Write an Annotation  | Sample Descriptive Annotation  | Sample Critical Annotation

Introduction [top]

This handout will give examples of how to write annotated bibliographies. Individual instructors may give instructions which vary from these examples. Always check with your instructor to ensure that you are writing the bibliography as he/she wants it written.

How to Write an Annotated Bibliography [top]

Write your bibliographic entry according to the [most recent version of the MLA style guide].

How to Write an Annotation [top]

An annotation is a brief description of a work such as an article, chapter of a book, book, Web site, or movie. An annotation attempts to give enough information for the reader to make a decision as to whether or not to read the complete work. Annotations may be descriptive or critical.

What an annotation should include:

  • Complete bibliographic information.
  • Some or all of the following:
    • Information to explain the authority and/or qualifications of the author. For example: Dr. William Smith, a history professor at XYZ University, based his book on twenty years’ of research.
    • Scope and main purpose of the work.
    • Any biases that you detect.
    • Intended audience and level of reading difficulty.
    • The relationship, if any, to other works in the area of study.
    • A summary comment, e.g., “This popular account is directed at educated adults.”
  • The annotation should be about 100 to 200 words.

Sample Descriptive Annotation [top]

A descriptive annotation describes the content of the work without judging it. It does point out distinctive features.

London, Herbert. “Five Myths of the Television Age.” Television Quarterly 10.1 (Spring 1982): 81-89.

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 doesn’t refer to any previous works on the topic. London’s style and vocabulary would make the article of interest to any reader.

Sample Critical Annotation [top]

In addition to “What an annotation should include,” a critical annotation evaluates the usefulness of the work for a particular audience or situation. The words that are in bold indicate what has been added to the descriptive annotation to make it a critical annotation.

London, Herbert. “Five Myths of the Television Age.” Television Quarterly 10.12 (Spring 1982): 81-89.

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 doesn’t refer to any previous works on the topic; however, for a different point of view, one should refer to Joseph Patterson’s, “Television is Truth.” The Journal of Television 45.6 (November/December 1995: 120-135). 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.