WHAT IS AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY?
An annotated bibliography is
a list of citations to books, articles, and documents. Each citation
is followed by a brief (usually about 150 words) descriptive and evaluative
paragraph, the annotation. 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
Creating an annotated bibliography
calls for the application of a variety of intellectual skills: concise
exposition, succinct analysis, and informed library research.
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.
CRITICALLY APPRAISING THE BOOK,
ARTICLE, OR DOCUMENT
For guidance in critically appraising
and analyzing the sources for your bibliography, see How
to Critically Analyze Information Sources. For information
on the author's background and views, ask at the library staff member for
suggestions of appropriate biographical reference materials.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT FORMAT
FOR THE CITATIONS
Style manuals are kept in the
reference collection. Online guides are also available for MLA
and APA.
SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE
The following example uses the
APA format for the journal citation:
Goldschneider, F. K., Waite,
L. J., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the
erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American
Sociological Review, 51(4), 541-554.
The authors, researchers
at the Rand Corporation and Brown University, use data from the National
Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women and Young Men to test their hypothesis
that nonfamily living by young adults alters their attitudes, values, plans,
and expectations, moving them away from their belief in traditional sex
roles. They find their hypothesis strongly supported in young females,
while the effects were fewer in studies of young males. Increasing
the time away from parents before marrying increased individualism, self-sufficiency,
and changes in attitudes about families. In contrast, an earlier
study by Williams cited below shows no significant gender differences in
sex role attitudes as a result of nonfamily living.
The original source for this
document is the Reference Services Division, Olin-Kroch-Uris Libraries,
Cornell University. The original has been modified with permission,
for use by Wells College, by the Wells College Library Reference Dept.
Last updated 04/03/2004 |
