A bibliography, reference list, or works cited page is a list of the sources you used in your research.
An annotated bibliography goes one step further—it includes a short paragraph (annotation) after each citation.
Each annotation briefly summarizes the source, evaluates its reliability or perspective, and reflects on how it fits into your research.
An annotated bibliography shows not only what you found, but also how you’re thinking about your topic.
It actually saves you time. It acts like a research memory, so you don’t have to keep rereading sources or trying to remember what each one said.
It keeps your thinking organized and makes your final paper stronger and more focused.
Key Steps
The UNC Writing Center’s Annotated Bibliographies guide clearly explains what to include and how to find key details like an author’s credentials and the purpose of the work. It’s one of the most helpful and student-friendly resources available.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Annotated Bibliography guide provides clear examples of different kinds of annotations, including informative, indicative, and evaluative.
The Purdue OWL’s Annotated Bibliographies guide shows how to format annotated bibliographies in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, with clear examples for each.