Annotated Bibliographies

An annotated bibliography is a list of sources with information that describes and makes a value statement about each source. It is a research tool that allows the reader to quickly synthesize and review sources. It also allows someone unfamiliar with a source to get a sense of what the source is about, its arguments, and its usefulness in research.

Annotated bibliographies can be listed in many ways.  Most frequently, they are listed alphabetically by the author of the source, but could also be listed in chronological, or another way that lends meaning to the bibliography. 

The general format for an annotated bibliography entry consists of the citation, immediately followed by the annotation. RefWorks includes formats for annotated bibliographies in most citation styles. As you add your citations to RefWorks, include your anotations in the field labeled "User 1."

The following annotated citation is an example in the MLA format.

Krent, Harold J. Presidential Powers. New York: New York University Press, 2005.
Harold Krent, Dean and professor of law at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, draws on both historic and contemporary presidential actions to explore the tensions between presidential initiative and accountability to both Congress and the public. By recognizing that the Constitution establishes a relational framework rather than labeling specific functions for the branches of government, Krent effectively explores a number of issues related to executive power. He focuses specifically on presidential authority in administering the nation's laws, international relations and foreign policy, and in protection from domestic and foreign threats. He also examines discrete presidential powers related to immmunities, privileges and the scope of the power to pardon.

Questions? Ask a librarian for further assistance.

(Updated: October 17, 2007)