How to Write an Annotated Bibliography

When writing a research paper, students and researchers are often required to provide an annotated bibliography. An annotated bibliography is a MLA or APA bibliography that includes a summary and/or evaluation of each of the sources. An annotated bibliography can be written in different manners or forms, depending on your assignment. Here are a few easy steps to get yours written today!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pen
• paper
• completed MLA or APA bibliography

1. Complete your MLA or APA bibliography as required.

2. Your assignment may require a summary of your sources. Some important ideas to consider with this form are the point of the book, the main arguments of the article, and the topics covered in the source.

3. Your assignment may also require an assessment of your sources. Consider whether or not the book or article was useful, biased, and reliable.

4. Your assignment may also require a reflection of your sources. Think about whether or not the source was helpful, how it fits into your research, and how it helped you shape your argument.

Tips & Warnings

• Your annotated bibliography may include all or some of these three forms.