ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Annotated Bibliography

List of Sources with Evaluation

What is an Annotated Bibliography?

• A list of citations to books, articles, and documents. • Each citation is followed by a brief (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 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 appropriateness of expression, and authority.

The Process

• Skills needed • Concise exposition • Succinct analysis • Informed library research

• Locate and record citations to a variety of source types that may contain useful information on your issue.

The Process Cont’d.

• Briefly examine and review the actual items. • Choose works that provide a variety of perspectives

on the issue. • Cite the book, article, or document using MLA/APA

style. • Write a concise annotation that summarizes the

central theme and scope of the book or article.

The Process Cont’d.

• Include one or more sentences that • Evaluate the authority or background of the author. • Comment on the intended audience. • Compare or contrast this work with another you have

cited.

• Explain how this work illuminates your bibliography topic.

Critically Analyzing Sources

• Initial Appraisal • Author

• What are the credentials-- instructional affiliation, educational background, past writing, or experience?

• Has you seen or heard about this author in other places – class, text, other sources?

• Is the author associated with a reputable institution? • Date of Publication

• When was the source published • Is the source current or out-of-date for your issue?

Critically Analyzing Sources

• Edition or Revision • Is this the first edition of the publication? • Further editions indicate revisions and updates were made in

knowledge, omissions corrected, and audience needs have been addressed.

• Many printings can also mean the work has become a standard.

• Publisher • University press? • Scholarly?

Critically Analyzing Sources

• Title of Journal • Scholarly or popular? • Scholarly are concerned with academic study, especially

research.

• Substantive is defined as having a solid base. • Popular is fit for a large group of people. • Sensational is defined as arousing or intending to arouse

strong interest.

Critically Analyzing Sources

• Content Analysis • Intended Audience • Objective Reasoning

• Fact, opinion, or propaganda? • Valid and well-researched • Arguments in line with other works on topic • Author’s point of view objective and impartial

• Coverage • Up-to-date • Primary or secondary

Critically Analyzing Sources

• Writing Style • Organized logically?

• Evaluative Reviews • Are reviews positive? • Do reviews agree on the value?

Sample Annotated Article in MLA

Goldscheider, Frances Kobrin, Linda J. Waite, and Christina Witsberger. "Nonfamily Living and the Erosion of Traditional Family Orientations Among Young Adults.“ American Sociological Review 51 (1986): 541-554. Print. Goldscheider, Waite, and Witsberger, 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.

While Goldscheider, Waite, and Witsberger’s article is becoming dated, it may help support the role of the family on individual relationships after marriage.

Sample Annotated Article in APA

Goldscheider, F. K., Waite, L. J., & Witsberger, C. (1986). Nonfamily living and the erosion of traditional family orientations among young adults. American Sociological Review, 51, 541-554. Goldscheider, Waite, and Witsberger (1986), 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.

While Goldscheider, Waite, and Witsberger’s (1986) article is becoming dated, it may help support the role of the family on individual relationships after marriage.