How do I write an annotated bibliography?

For annotated bibliographies, you will want to adhere first to any guidelines provided by your course instructor.

Then check out some specific annotated bibliography formatting standards on the Writing Center's website. You can use the normal course paper template to set up your paper, but your annotated bibliography will generally consist of a list of reference entries, each with an annotation following it.

Your annotations should cover three areas (typically formatted in three paragraphs):

1. Summary: What did the author do? Why? What did he/she find?

2. Analysis: Was the author’s method sound? What information was missing? Is this a scholarly source?

3. Application: Does this article fill a gap in literature? How would you be able to apply this method/study to your particular study? Is the article universal?

Additional Resources: 

• Find annotated bibliography examples on the Annotated Bibliography webpage.
• Check page 24 of the KAM Guidebook for examples of this three-tiered formatting (even if you are not a KAM-based student, these are great annotation examples).
• View the "Annotated Bibliographies" webinar or the "Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography Basics" webinar. Both are great places to go for additional tips and information.

Further Questions?

Would you like your current assignment or paper to be reviewed by the Writing Center?  If so please visit the Writing Center's Paper Review Website and make an appointment with us! 

Do you have other general writing questions? Ask OASIS !

Other questions about your doctoral capstone or the Form & Style review? E-mail the Dissertation Editors at [email protected]

Want to peruse other writing resources? Go to the Writing Center’s homepage.