The final page of any formal research paper includes a list of sources, called the bibliography. This list includes bibliographic information such as the author's name, title of the article or publication, dates of publication, publisher name, etc. The list is typically in alphabetical order and is formatted according to a particular style format like APA (American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association). The page will be labeled 'References' or 'Works Cited' depending on which format is being followed. When the researcher adds a summary (annotation) of the information found in each source to the source listing in the bibliography, he or she has created an 'annotated bibliography.' The article, How to Recognize the Differences between APA and MLA Format provides some tips for each of the two styles. Reasons for Creating Annotated Bibliographies When creating an annotation for a source listing, the researcher has to read the information closely and critically in order to write a concise summary of the article. This activity will provide the researcher with the opportunity to review arguments both for and against the issues being researched. Developing a unique point of view for the research paper will be much easier after creating the annotated bibliography. Scholarly annotated bibliographies are often published, especially if they are extensive in both length and coverage of the information being summarized. These kinds of annotated bibliographies are valuable sources of information for other researchers as they provide comprehensive overviews of the work, which will help in the research process. Gather the Source Information The first step in creating the annotated bibliography is to gather the source information. As the research is being conducted, the researcher needs to write down all the bibliographic information from each source. Once the list is compiled, following whichever style guide the researcher is using, it is time to start creating the annotations. An annotation is a summary or paraphrase of the article or other research information. It is usually no more than a few sentences highlighting the main points of the article. Sometimes it can run to a few paragraphs, but that is rare and usually only when the annotation is being written for publication. Evaluate and Reflect on the Source Once the annotation is written, review it and determine whether or not it is useful for the research project. Is the information reliable? Does it fit with the rest of the information? Does it support the thesis of the research project? Is it biased or objective. Adding a sentence or two to the annotation regarding how this particular source will be used in the final copy of the research paper will assist the writer in structuring the outline and drafting the paper. The OWL at Purdue offers more information on why an annotated bibliography should be written. Formation of Annotations Paragraph format is the preferred way to set up an annotation. Annotations are generally just a few sentences and can be tailored for the researcer's own needs. A well written annotation will assist the researcher as he or she begins creating the outline and then the draft of the paper. The annotations will provide information as to the organization of the information and the transitions between different concepts or ideas in the writing.
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