Q. How do I write an annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography is an organized list of sources. Unlike the standard bibliography, an annotated bibliography contains a paragraph-length annotation after each of the sources. The information included in the annotation will depend on what type of annotated bibliography you are writing: descriptive or critical. Depending on the type of bibliography, your annotation might include:

• The purpose of the work
• A summary of its content
• The audience for the work
• The work's relevance to your topic
• Any unique features of the material
• Any strengths, weaknesses, or biases in the material

For more information about the types of annotated bibliographies and examples of annotations, please see our guide on annotated bibliographies.