Annotated Bibliography

W H A T, W H Y, H O W
T A K E N F R O M O L I N U R I S . L I B R A R Y. C O R N E L L . E D U
( H T T P : / / O L I N U R I S . L I B R A R Y. C O R N E L L . E D U )

What is it?

An alphabetized list of citations to books,

articles, and documents for an essay or other

research
Each entry is followed by an annotation: a brief
paragraph that
Summarizes
Connects
Evaluates

Why the annotated bib?

To inform the reader of the content of the
source summative and descriptive
AND
To highlight the relevancy, accuracy, and
quality of the source critical and evaluative.
NOTE: An annotation is not an abstract-- the purely
descriptive summaries often found at the beginning of
scholarly journal articles or in periodical indexes.
(Copying those is plagiarism. Nay-nay!)

Include the working thesis statement for your essay

immediately after your original title.

Label it as a working thesis.
Write three (working) claims for each body

paragraph. Label them as such.

How to Write the Ann Bib

Locate and record citations to books, periodicals, and documents that may

contain useful information and ideas on your topic. (Using PPLD only)

Choose those works that provide a variety of perspectives on your topic.

Cite the book, article, or document using the appropriate style (MLA for

our purposes).

Write a concise summary (2-5 sentences) that explains the central

theme/idea/argument and scope of the source.

Write an annotation paragraph that evaluates and connects the source

to the thesis.

Include the 3-5 full quotations that you will use form the source. Do not

forget the parenthetical citation (author p#).

The evaluative element

Some questions to consider:

How does this source support the thesis?

If the source contradicts the thesis, can I think of a

strong rebuttal that will strengthen my argument?

Is this a valid and reliable source from PPLD?

Remember!
MLA format in all area of the ann bib
Academic Tone is a requirement and all aspects will

graded seriously:

Use 3rd person pronouns (no I, you, me, we, etc.) (EiQ)

Use present tense verbs (EiQ)

Do not use slang.

Do not use contractions (cant, dont, its, etc.).