Writing an annotated bibliography

1. Annotated
Bibliography:
Writing Workshop
Library and Learning Commons
Santa Clara University

2. What to Expect
Pair Exercise
2nd
Individual Work
3rd
Presentation on the
annotated bibliography
1st

3. ● An annotation is a summary and/or evaluation
● A bibliography is a list of sources or citations that you plan to use in your
research
Annotated + Bibliography
An annotated bibliography includes a summary/evaluation of each
sources you plan to use for your research

4. ● A list of citations to books, articles, and documents
● Followed by a brief (usually 150-250 words) descriptive and evaluative
paragraph which is the annotation
● Informing the reader of the relevance, accuracy, and quality of the
sources cited
● The citations use an appropriate format (e.g. APA, MLA)
What is an Annotated Bibliography

5. ● An annotated bibliography is descriptive and critical. It exposes the
author’s point of view, clarity and authority
Essentially….

6. Purpose of an Annotated Bibliography
A review of the
literature on a
particular subject
Review
Illustrates the quality of
research done and
encourages critical thinking
about the content of the
works used
Illustrate
Describes other items
on a topic that may
be of interest to
others doing research
Describes

7. Why Should I Write an Annotated Bibliography?
To learn about your topic in
preparation for a research project
To develop a thesis that is debatable,
interesting, and current
To review the literature and
determine where your own research
fits into the issues
To read and respond to a variety of
sources on a topic, developing a
unique viewpoint through careful and
critical reading

8. What is the Process?
September
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To-Do list
Locate and record citations that
may contain useful information
and ideas
Briefly examine and review the
actual items
Choose those works that provide
a variety of perspectives

9. ● Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style (e.g. APA)
● Write an explanation summarizing the central theme and scope of the
source showing that you have read and understand it
What Happens Next?
● Include one or more sentences that:
○ Evaluate the authority or qualifications of the author
○ Comment on the intended audience
○ Compare or contrast this work with the worth, effectiveness, and usefulness of the
others you have cited
○ Explain how this work illuminates your topic

10. ● Evaluates the authority or background of the author
● Comments on the intended audience
● Summarizes the main point(s) of the work
● Explains how this work illuminates the topic or its usefulness
Four Elements
XV
III

11. Work together with a partner and identify these four elements within the
example:
● Evaluates the authority or background of the author
● Comments on the intended audience
● Summarizes the main point(s) of the work
● Explains how this work illuminates the topic or its usefulness
Pair Exercise
XV
III

12. ● For the remainder of class, identify at least 1 source that you have found
for your research. Using that source, start the annotated bibliography.
● Don’t forget to consider the four elements of an annotated bibliography:
○ Evaluates the authority or background of the author
○ Comments on the intended audience
○ Summarizes the main point(s) of the work
○ Explains how this work illuminates the topic or its usefulness
Individual Work

13. Anna Yang, Science Librarian
ayang3@scu.edu
Ask A Librarian: https://askalibrarian.scu.edu/
Contact