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Annotated Bibliography

A guide to creating an annotated bibliography in any class.

Know the Steps

visual representation of the first 9 steps listed

  1. The annotated bibliography starts with a research question for an assignment.
  2. Using your research question, search for sources.
  3. From all of the sources you find, you pick the very best or most potentially useful few. This number will depend on your assignment requirements and the scope of your research.
  4. Next, you read, read, read your sources.
  5. Now, you're ready to start building your annotated bibliography!
  6. CITE your source in the style required by your assignment or instructor.
  7. SUMMARIZE your source.
  8. EVALUATE it for quality and credibility.
  9. Reflect on the possible USE of the source in your paper.
  10. Repeat these steps for each additional source.

 

Adapted from: Hamblin, Ginger. "Intern’s Corner: Annotated Bibliography." Hoot – The Excelsior OWL Blog, Excelsior College, 2 May 2019, hoot.excelsior.edu/interns-corner-annotated-bibliography/.