Writing An Annotated Bibliography: 1. Purposes 2. Style Format

Writing an annotated bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a type of assignment essay whereby reference list entries are
followed by short descriptions of the work called annotations. This type of bibliography provides a
brief overview of the available research on a topic. For the annotation, you are usually required to
briefly summarise a research source and/or assess the value of the source and its validity for your
assignment task. Each information source starts with a reference item that is followed by a brief
paragraph. To write an annotated bibliography, you will need to consider:
1. Purposes
NOTE: Citation style APA 7th Edition. Modify for ot
2. Writing style
3. Format
4. Examples
1. Purposes
The task of compiling an annotated bibliography will help the researcher think about the
relevance and quality of the material on a topic. Does the information meet the requirements of
the topic? Is the information from a reliable and academically respected source?
2. Style format
An annotated bibliography is a piece of formal academic writing and follows the general rules for
all academic writing: The writing structure will depend on the lecturer’s requirements for the
task. The bibliographical information may be descriptive (see points 1-3 below); or
descriptive+evaluative (see points 1-5 below). The paragraph should follow this order:
Descriptive
steps 1-3 1. Citation details (set out in the same style as a reference list item)
2. A short statement that explains the main focus or purpose of the work
3. A short summary of the theory, research findings or argument (e.g. intended
audience, subjects covered, major arguments supported, research methods,
conclusions reached, special features)
4. Consideration of the usefulness and/or limitations of the text for your research (e.g.
reliability of the text, credibility of the author, poor features, left-out content,
Descriptive weaknesses in argument)
and evaluative 5. An evaluative comment on the work that may take into account how this work will fit
steps 1-5 into your research on a topic (e.g. critical comment, critical reflection that describes
the usefulness or relevance of the information for your writing task).
Include in-text citations if you refer to other works within the annotation paragraph.
3. Layout format
 Begin by writing the reference for the source in your reference list style (including hanging indent)
 Each annotation (about 100-300 words) should be a new paragraph below the reference entry
 Write in full sentences using academic writing style
 Use transition words (e.g. furthermore, moreover, however, therefore …)
 Be concise – mention only significant details in your summary
 Do NOT repeat information (e.g. the title) that is already in your citation
 Arrange your sources and summaries in alphabetical order
 Double space the complete annotated bibliography
Academic Skills Office (ASO) – Fact Sheets

http://www.une.edu.au/current-students/resources/academic-skills/fact-sheets
Last updated 28/5/20
4. Examples of annotated bibliography entries
When you compose your annotated bibliography, consider each part of the annotation.
Sentence starters can help you to focus your thoughts on these questions.
The parts of a bibliography entry Examples

Descriptive
The citation information should be in Example of a reference (APA style)
steps 1-3 1
the same format as it would be in Griffiths, T. (1996). Hunters and collectors: The
the reference list. antiquarian imagination in Australia.
Cambridge University Press.
Example of sentence starters

2 A short statement of the author’s
viewpoint *In this article, Johnson reviews . . .
*This article examines . . .
*The authors describe . . .
*The author’s purpose is to challenge . . .
3 A short summary of the theory,
research findings or argument *The main ideas expressed are . . .
*Support for these claims is documented . . .
*Smith has conducted a thorough investigation
of . . .
*The author’s research focuses on . . .
Descriptive Example of sentence starters
and 4 Comments on the usefulness and/or
limitations of the text for your *The author provides a strong theoretical . . .
evaluative *The writing style considers a range of audiences . .
steps 1-5 research
*Theories are supported by well-known
researchers in this field, such as . . .
*There is a lack of supporting evidence . . .
*The main limitation of the website . . .
5 An evaluative comment on the work,
taking into account how this work *This article is useful for the research topic . . .
* Because the information is up-to-date
will fit into your research on a topic
and from a reliable source . . .
* It is relevant to the thesis because . . .
* In particular, this article will assist . . .
Words in
bold are 1 McVenna, M.J., Smith, J. & Gant, P. (2019 ). Standards of care: A collective meaning for nursing. Nu
transition
words that
help you to
2
connect the meaning ofThe article‘care’
the word examines
within a nursing context. The
your ideas 3
to provide care is well-documented in numerous medical reports,
in between responsibility of nurses
sentences.
and the authors go on to identify key concepts related to nursing care. In
Fictional particular, these concepts include assisting, helping and giving a service;
authors and
text have offering this service to people who need help with daily living activities and to
been used
for teaching others who are affected by ill health of some kind. Moreover, the nurse’s caring
purposes.
role is validated by the needs and expectations of their patients. Finally, the
4 article concludes by relating how these concepts are put into operation by using
the steps of the nursing process: assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring
and evaluating the patient’s need for nursing care. The main limitation of the article
large city hospitals.
is that all of the research was exclusively conducted in
5
Therefore, while the article is useful for an analysis of nursing
care, the limitations of its research base will require some adaption to be an
inclusive commentary on services in both city and country area hospitals. (178
words)
Academic Skills Office (ASO) – Fact Sheets

http://www.une.edu.au/current-students/resources/academic-skills/fact-sheets
Last updated 28/5/20

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Writing an annotated bibliography

Academic Skills Office (ASO) – Fact Sheets

The parts of a bibliography entry Examples

Example of sentence starters

Academic Skills Office (ASO) – Fact Sheets

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