An annotated bibliography is a list of sources in proper citation format, each with a descriptive paragraph. The description may critique, analyze, or summarize the content of the item. For this assignment, you will write a critical/evaluative annotation for each source, critically appraising the evidence that addresses your topic.
A good annotated bibliography:
• encourages you to think critically about the content of the works you are using, the importance of the works within the field of study, and the relation of the works to your own research and ideas.
• proves you have read and understand your sources.
• establishes your work as a valid source and you as a competent researcher.
• provides a way for others to decide whether a source will be helpful to their research if they read it.
*Excerpted from The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Annotated Bibliography should be the final result after a thorough review of the literature on your topic. Different databases should be searched to get different perspectives. If 8-10 sources are required, you should be reviewing many more sources (20-25), in detail, before making final selections.
In an annotated bibliography, your job is to analyze your sources and explain why you would choose to use them in your final project. Your annotations might discuss some or all of the following:
