Annotated Bibliography Template An annotated bibliography is a list of citations to books, articles, and documents.

Each citation, using MLA or APA format, is followed by a brief (usually 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. Title: Annotated Bibliography for [insert topic here] By [insert your name here] Date: November 27, 28, or 29, 2006 [select for your section] Paragraph 1: Introduction: Describe your topic, and a few sentences about your findings. Paragraph 2: Write the first citation for your first reference: use APA or MLA style. Write a paragraph about what this references offered you: central theme or scope, interesting topics, ideas, how it illuminated the topic whether it is worthwhile for your colleagues to consult it for information on this topic based on who the authors are, intended audience, presentation, amount and reliability of information. You may use point form. Paragraph 3: Write the first citation for your second reference: use APA or MLA style. Write a paragraph about what this references offered you: central theme or scope, interesting topics, ideas, how it illuminated the topic whether it is worthwhile for your colleagues to consult it for information on this topic based on who the authors are, intended audience, presentation, amount and reliability of information. You may use point form. Paragraph 4: Write the first citation for your third reference: use APA or MLA style. Write a paragraph about what this references offered you: central theme or scope, interesting topics, ideas, how it illuminated the topic whether it is worthwhile for your colleagues to consult it for information on this topic based on who the authors are, intended audience, presentation, amount and reliability of information. You may use point form. For more on evaluative comments, please see http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill26.htm#con

SAMPLE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY FOR A JOURNAL ARTICLE The following example uses the APA format for the journal citation: Goldschneider, 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. The authors, 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. This example uses the MLA format for the journal citation: 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. The authors, 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. Permission granted to use the above material by Reference Department;
Instruction, Research, and Information Services (IRIS); Cornell University Library Ithaca, NY, USA