To write an annotated bibliography, list each source in full citation format and follow it with a short paragraph that summarizes, evaluates and explains how the source fits your research. That paragraph is the annotation.
Tutors set annotated bibliographies to check that you can find credible sources and read them critically. This page covers what goes in each annotation, the main types, a step-by-step method and formatted examples in APA 7th and MLA 9th.
The Three Parts of a Strong Annotation
- Summarize: the source's main argument, method and findings in two or three sentences.
- Evaluate: its strengths, limitations, authority and any bias.
- Reflect: how it is useful for your project and how it relates to other sources.
Most annotations run 100 to 200 words, but follow the length in your brief.
What an Annotated Bibliography Is For
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources on a topic, each with a citation and a paragraph of commentary. It may be a standalone assignment or a step before a research paper or literature review.
It shows your tutor three things: that you can search effectively, that you can judge the quality of what you find, and that you understand how each source relates to your question. It also saves you time later, because your notes on each source are already written.
What Each Annotation Contains
| Element | Questions to answer | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Citation | Full reference in your required style | One entry |
| Summary | What is the main argument? What method was used? What did it find? | 2 to 3 sentences |
| Evaluation | Is it credible, current and well-supported? What are its limits? | 1 to 3 sentences |
| Reflection | How will you use it? How does it compare with other sources? | 1 to 2 sentences |
Some assignments ask only for a summary. Read your brief closely, because the balance between summary and evaluation is often where marks are won or lost.
Descriptive Versus Critical Annotations
Descriptive (Informative) Annotations
Summarize the source's content and argument without judging it. They suit early research or briefs that ask only for summaries.
Critical (Evaluative) Annotations
Summarize, then assess the source's quality and usefulness. Most university assignments expect this type, especially at upper levels.
| Feature | Descriptive | Critical |
|---|---|---|
| Summarizes content | Yes | Yes |
| Judges quality | No | Yes |
| Links to your research | Rarely | Yes |
| Common at | Introductory levels | Upper undergraduate and postgraduate |
How to Write an Annotated Bibliography Step by Step
- Define your question. A clear research question tells you which sources are relevant.
- Search properly. Use your library databases and Google Scholar, and note the search terms you used.
- Select credible sources. Prefer peer-reviewed articles, scholarly books and reputable reports.
- Read actively. Note the argument, method, findings and limitations of each source.
- Write the citation in your required style before the annotation, while details are at hand.
- Draft the annotation using summary, evaluation and reflection.
- Order the entries, usually alphabetically by first author's surname.
- Check formatting against your style guide and brief.
APA 7th Edition Example
In APA 7th, the reference uses a hanging indent and the annotation follows as a new paragraph, indented as a block beneath it. The whole list is double-spaced and alphabetized.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Kahneman, a psychologist, sets out a model of two thinking systems: a fast, intuitive system and a slow, deliberate one. Drawing on decades of experimental research, he shows how reliance on the fast system produces predictable biases in judgment, such as anchoring and loss aversion. The book is written for a general audience, so it summarizes rather than reports studies in full, and some individual findings it cites have since faced replication challenges. It is nonetheless a widely cited synthesis and provides the framework for the decision-making section of this project.
MLA 9th Edition Example
In MLA 9th, the entry follows Works Cited format with a hanging indent, and the annotation sits beneath it as an indented paragraph. Check your tutor's preferred layout.
Kahneman, Daniel. Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011.
Kahneman distinguishes between intuitive and deliberate thinking and argues that many errors in judgment come from over-reliance on intuition. His evidence comes from experimental psychology, presented accessibly for non-specialists. Because it is a synthesis for a general readership, it is best used alongside the original studies. For this essay, it offers useful terms for analyzing how characters in the novel make hasty decisions.
Note the differences: APA uses initials, sentence case for the book title and the year after the author; MLA uses full first names, title case and the year at the end.
Annotated Bibliography Checklist
- Each entry is a full, correctly formatted citation in the required style.
- Each annotation summarizes, evaluates and reflects, unless the brief says otherwise.
- Annotations are in your own words, not copied from the abstract.
- Entries are in alphabetical order by author.
- The number and type of sources match the brief.
- Annotation length is consistent and within the word limit.
- Spacing, indentation and title follow your style guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Copying or lightly rewording the abstract | Write the summary from your own reading |
| Summary only when evaluation is required | Add strengths, limitations and relevance |
| Weak or non-academic sources | Use peer-reviewed and scholarly sources |
| Inconsistent citation format | Check every entry against one style guide |
| No link to your research | End each annotation with how you will use the source |
How EssayDonkey Helps with Annotated Bibliographies
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Use it as a study and reference tool to see how sources are evaluated. Free revisions within your brief are included.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Usually 100 to 200 words, but follow your brief. Some tutors want short 50-word notes; others expect 300 words.
It depends on the assignment. Common requirements range from five to fifteen sources. Follow your brief.
Usually third person for the summary and evaluation. Some tutors allow the first person in the reflection part, so check.
Alphabetical by the first author's surname, unless your tutor asks for another order such as by theme.
No. Write the annotation in your own words from your own reading. Copying the abstract can count as plagiarism.
No. An annotated bibliography treats each source separately. A literature review synthesizes sources by theme into an argument.